Murdoch rips competitors for bias even as more Fox critics emerge on the right – Yahoo! News

In an address last night to the National Press Club, News Corp Chairman and CEO Rupert Murdoch ripped into the New York Times as a media outlet with “an agenda” focused on “anything Mr. Obama wants.”  Murdoch, who owns Fox News and the Times’ primary competitor the Wall Street Journal, then fielded a question from the audience about Fox News’ own reputation for advancing a conservative agenda — and lately the conservative, grass-roots Tea Party movement — in its coverage, Murdoch waved off the allegation.

“I don’t think we should be supporting the Tea Party or any other party,” he said. “We have both sides in our news shows, our politics or whatever. We have Democrats and Republicans and whatever.”

But while Fox News’ head cheerleader was trumpeting his network’s objectivity and slinging scorn at liberal bias he sees in the rest of the media, Fox News’ coverage and its connection to the activist right has been drawing flak from some prominent national conservatives.

Yesterday, Oklahoma Sen. Tom Coburn, who is strongly identified with both the fiscal- and social-conservative wings of the GOP, wound up cautioning some conservative constituents at a town hall gathering not to “catch yourself being biased by Fox News that somebody is no good.”

Coburn’s plea for viewer skepticism came in defense of his courtly aside about Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, whom he characterized as “a nice person.” When a wave of grumbling followed, Coburn stood his ground, asking the crowd “how many of you all have met her?” before proceeding to chide them for echoing the Fox-branded view of Pelosi as a poor specimen of humanity.

The Coburn episode was especially striking, since he happens to be one of the most stalwart conservatives in the Senate, netting a 96-point rating on the 100-point scale furnished by the American Conservative Union.

Other conservatives who are closer to the traditional GOP mainstream have lately raised similar red flags about Fox’s broader political impact. David Frum, the former American Enterprise Institute fellow who was recently let go in the wake of a widely circulated blog post he wrote criticizing GOP legislative tactics on health care reform, has said that “Republicans originally thought that Fox worked for us, and now we’re discovering that we’re working for Fox.” Frum spelled out what he meant by that remark in a weekend appearance on CNN’s “Reliable Sources”:

“What that means is that Fox, like Limbaugh, has an interest in pushing the Republicans to the margins, making people angry,” he said. “When people are angry and alienated, they don’t vote. They succumb to feelings of helplessness.”

Bruce Bartlett, a Frum sympathizer, argues that the network’s elevation as the premier source of conservative information has also closed the right off from healthy debate. “Fox News is a Republican, conservatively biased organization,” Bartlett told Yahoo! News. “Now conservatives don’t need to get into the New York Times, or on CBS. They’ve got their own news network, and all they really think is, ‘How can I get a positive mention from Beck or Limbaugh?’ or ‘How can I get my boss onto Fox News?’ “

Fox’s Glenn Beck, indeed, spearheaded the Sept. 12 rally in Washington, D.C., that served as the national coming out moment for the Tea Party movement. The network was also instrumental in publicizing the first round of Tea Party protests over the stimulus law, which launched last April 15.

Those actions have sent the network’s ratings through the roof — Beck, for one, is now the second highest rated host on cable news, behind only fellow conservative and Fox News host Bill O’Reilly. But the popular anger stirred up under the network’s auspices may not be an unqualified boon to a GOP facing a tough primary season that pits many Tea Party-style insurgents against candidates aligned with the national party organization. Two of the most prominent such races are the Senate contests in Florida and Arizona, where two more compromise-minded mainstream candidates, Charlie Crist and John McCain, are fending off challenges from candidates backed by the Tea Party — and running strongly to the right of their usual positions as a result.

Beyond the primaries, the GOP is looking to make significant headway against the Democratic majorities in Congress — hoping even to return the House to Republican control. But to do that, Republicans will have to overcome their disadvantage in voter registration in many districts by appealing to independent voters — and those are the very sorts of voters most likely to be repelled by an angry ideological message.

Kevin Madden, a political consultant with the Washington-based firm Dyke Associates and former communications director for Mitt Romney’s 2008 presidential bid, says that GOP leaders aren’t yet voicing “widespread” concerns about the Fox message distorting the fall campaign. At the same time, however, Madden — a frequent commentator on the rival cable network CNN — praised Tom Coburn’s candor.

“Mr. Coburn’s remarks seem to reflect an admirable and rare belief that one can win a political debate by convincing those seated in the jury box of public opinion that an opponent has wrong ideas, without having to demonstrate that same opponent has corrupt intentions,” Madden said.

— Brett Michael Dykes is a national affairs writer for Yahoo! News.

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Glenn Beck's gold-gate problem – Yahoo! News

Yet another controversy appears to be brewing around Fox News host Glenn Beck. Some are accusing him of a blatant conflict of interest concerning his frequent on-air promotion of an investment sold by one of his main advertisers: Gold.

For some time Beck critics have cried foul over his relationship with Goldline International, a precious metals vendor that features the TV and radio host’s endorsement prominently on their website. Critics charge that Beck is guilty of misleading his audience by often advising them to purchase gold in advance of the potential collapse of the value of the dollar on the world currency market, without disclosing that he is in fact a “paid spokesman” for Goldline. Beck’s on-air promotion of gold, which includes advising viewers to construct “fruit cellars” and to rely on a “three G system” of “God, Gold, and Guns” in the event of America’s collapse, dates back to his time as a host for CNN Headline News.

Glenn Beck also regularly talks up gold on his nationally syndicated radio show, where he often endorses Goldline during live commercial segments. Additionally, Beck has had the company’s CEO on as a guest. Advertisements for Goldline are also featured prominently on Beck’s own website, where he recently promoted gold in an audio clip warning of an apocalyptic future:

When the system eventually collapses, and the government comes with guns and confiscates, you know, everything in your home and all your possessions, and then you fight off the raving mad cannibalistic crowds that Ted Turner talked about, don’t come crying to me. I told you: get gold.
 
Back in October, the liberal media company Air America made this video mocking the conflict of interest:

Beck’s promotion of gold presents a potential problem for Fox News, which strictly prohibits on-air personalities from making paid product endorsements. When contacted by Daily Finance for a comment on the matter, Fox News senior vice-president for development Joel Cheatwood said the network “makes an exception for its commentators who are also radio hosts,” adding that they knew upfront that hiring Beck came with the understanding that he was also a radio host and that they “had to be accepting of certain elements of that.” Nevertheless, a Fox spokeswoman said that the company is addressing the matter with Beck’s agent, George Hiltzik.

However, Beck, who responded to the conflict of interest allegations on his show last Thursday by saying “So I shouldn’t make money?”, isn’t devoid of defenders on the matter. Business Insider called the controversy “nonsense,” adding “there’s nothing wrong with a commentator advising viewers, listeners, or readers to take positions that he is taking himself. In fact, you might wonder about the motivations of someone giving financial advice he wouldn’t take himself.”

In Beck’s defense, some have also noted that the price of gold has spiked since he started at Fox News. Nevertheless, you can probably bet that any and all future Jon Stewart impressions of Beck will include numerous references to the virtues of gold.

– Brett Michael Dykes is a contributor to the Yahoo! News Blog

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Disillusioned Bayh advocates electoral “shock” to broken system – Yahoo! News

In an interview on MSNBC this morning, newly retiring Sen. Evan Bayh declared the American political system “dysfunctional,” riddled with “brain-dead partisanship” and permanent campaigning. Flatly denying any possibility that he’d seek the presidency or any other higher office, Bayh argued that the American people needed to deliver a “shock” to Congress by voting incumbents out en masse and replacing them with people interested in reforming the process and governing for the good of the people, rather than deep-pocketed special-interest groups.

Bayh’s announcement stunned the American political world, as up until just last week he looked to be well on his way to an easy reelection for a third term in the Senate, and his senior staff was aggressively pursuing that goal.

But Bayh had apparently become increasingly frustrated in the Senate. In this morning’s interview he noted that just two weeks ago, Republicans who had co-sponsored a bill with him to rein in the deficit turned around and voted against it for purely political reasons. He also stated repeatedly that members of his own party should be more willing to settle for a compromise rather than holding out for perfection.

“Sometimes half a loaf is better than none,” Bayh insisted.

It’s no secret that the Senate has struggled to take action this year. With the two major parties unusually far apart in their substantive proposals for the direction of the country, even finding half a loaf to agree on has been difficult. Though the Democrats have had a substantial majority in the Senate for the last year, Republicans have escalated their threats to use filibusters (by forcing a cloture vote, see the graph below) to force Democrats to come up with 60 votes to pass any major legislation. And after Scott Brown’s election to the Senate last month gave Republicans a 41st seat, health-care reform and other Democratic goals were stopped dead in their tracks.

(CLICK IMAGE FOR FULL VIEW)

Bayh blamed the current atmosphere of intense partisanship on the need for senators to constantly campaign to be reelected to another six-year term. Citing his father, a popular liberal senator in the ’60s and ’70s, he noted that “back in the day they used to have the saying: ‘You campaign for 2 years and you legislate for 4.’ Now you campaign for 6!” He noted that the need for constant fundraising made it nearly impossible to focus on passing legislation.

Frustration over the increasing amount of money being spent on political campaigns isn’t exactly a new thing, as spending by candidates in the 2008 presidential election nearly quadrupled the amount of money spent by candidates in the 2000 election. Additionally, winners of House races in 2000 spent an average of $849,158 to do so, while House winners in 2008 spent an average of $1,372,591. Enhancing the concerns of many on the left and the right has been a recent Supreme Court decision to strike down the country’s existing campaign finance laws. Put simply, the ruling opens the door for an even greater influence of money by allowing corporations spend money directly on campaigns.

Meanwhile, voter frustration is high, making the fight for campaign cash all the more crucial to politicians hoping to remain in office. A recent poll found that 44% of Americans believe incumbents should be voted out of office.

However, reforms of Congress appear unlikely. There doesn’t appear to be any significant momentum at this time behind efforts to change the rules that govern passing legislation or Congress’s need to constantly campaign and fundraise. With an election year beginning, it’s also unlikely that congressional leaders will begin to see eye to eye more often on major legislation.

Perhaps a “shock” is indeed called for in order to change that.

– Andrew Golis is the Editor of and Brett Michael Dykes is a contributor to the Yahoo! News blog

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OK, one more thing — it's about Al Franken – Yahoo! News

We found one last nugget we want to tell you before we go silent. Here’s AP Television Writer David Bauder, who tracked down one of Al Franken’s old friends:

The next time he runs into his old friend Al Franken, James Downey hopes to learn some of the secrets of the U.S. Senate.

Not that Downey thinks there really are any. The “Saturday Night Live” writer just thinks it would be a fun thing to ask of the new junior senator from Minnesota.

The two men worked side by side on NBC’s late-night comedy show for 20 years, and now they largely communicate by barber. They share the same one, and leave messages saying hello to the other whenever they get their hair cut.

Downey said he’s reluctant to call his friend, since he always seemed to get him on the cell phone when Franken was about to give a speech. He hasn’t watched much of Franken in action this week at the Sotomayor confirmation hearings, but is no longer surprised to see him as a politician.

“He’s aged into it nicely,” Downey said. “He doesn’t even look the way he did when he was doing full-bore comedy. He just seems a little more serious stylistically. I can imagine someone who had no idea he had a previous career wouldn’t think about it all.”

Downey said he knew Franken would eventually win when he was a few hundred votes behind on election night. “We used to call him the Rasputin of comedy” for the way he wouldn’t stop when he wanted something done, he said.

It’s not that he ever thought he was working beside a future U.S. senator when they were tossing off gags for the “Church Lady” or two wild and crazy guys.

“He was always extremely ambitious,” Downey said. “But it was always directed toward appearing on TV or in movies. I bet he didn’t think about it either.”

-David Bauder, AP television writer, New York

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A parting thought …

Fri Jul 17, 1:30 am ET

Long after her Judiciary Committee hearing, after the Senate debate and confirmation and, sadly, long past the day when Sonia Sotomayor departs the Supreme Court bench, the racial politics practiced here in Washington will go on.

A nation with its first black president will soon have its first Hispanic Supreme Court justice, and yet these and other breakthroughs don’t wash away the stain that makes “wise Latina” a potent political punch.

This is a town that plays the race card from both sides of the table, Democrats and Republicans alike. And so there was a knowing audience for Frank Ricci, a white firefighter from New Haven, Conn., who spoke to the Senate Judiciary Committee in steady, deliberate voice about how he was denied a promotion because of the color of his skin.

As Nancy Benac wrote for the AP, “He spoke … to frustrations that still ripple in an undercurrent across the nation.”

Until the next hearing … .

-Ron Fournier, AP Washington bureau chief

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Post: What YOU learned

Fri Jul 17, 1:30 am ET

Thanks for interacting with us on twitter. We asked this question:

“We’d like your help with a blog post: What have you learned about American politics and democracy from the Sotomayor hearing?”

Here’s what you said (with RTs and hashtags and the like removed):

bitterb: That a nominee can misrepresent fundamental legal doctrines & still be approved (Incorporation/Fundamental Rights)

jackantic: That The Show Must Go On, always, in the US Senate.

karmakimmie: I’ve learned that when you talk to senators, use small words and short sentences.

hololio2: Seriously, I learned that many senators and testfiers don’t understand that appellate judges rule on law, not social issues.

fmome: That simmering beneath the civility of the hearings, there are those on both sides of the debate that are intolerant and nasty (a)nd I’m not talking about the Senators, rather the people they represent. America still seems quite divided and nastily so.

edmondesq: The Sotomayor hearings taught me that political theater still means more to politicians than people do. That must change.

najahaje: Similar to Socialist country now

daelyn: It has reiterated the fact that we tend to waste a lot of time and money!

Winnowill: Knowing your Perry Mason episodes is a lot more important to these procedures than I ever would have thought.

alexromano: shows us how the people we elect look out for our interests in deciding one of the most powerful judicial positions in the US.

Mokurai: Nothing in the sotomayor hearing is new to me, except the name Jefferson [Davis] Beauregard Sessions III

======

The week that was

Fri Jul 17, 1:30 am ET

Lessons learned about democracy and politics from the Sonia Sotomayor confirmation hearing — both your take and ours. Here are ours:
 
ELECTIONS HAVE CONSEQUENCES. President Barack Obama won the White House and Democrats expanded their hold on Congress last fall. That made for an easy path for the Democratic president’s nominee. Sotomayor’s chances were never in serious danger. Obama wouldn’t have nominated someone who had major flaws that would lead to failure. And, Democrats now have a 60-vote majority — enough to thwart a GOP filibuster. Things would have been much different had John McCain won the White House. His close friend, GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham, acknowledged as much, telling Sotomayor: “My inclination is that elections matter.”
 
RACE IS STILL EXPLOSIVE. Sotomayor showed that people who have national ambitions must watch what they say over the course of their careers, lest their words come back to haunt them. “Wise Latina” — a phrase Sotomayor says was used to inspire — became fodder for Republicans to suggest that this Hispanic nominee was a racist. The reverse discrimination case of the firefighters in New Haven, Conn., pushed race even more to the forefront of this hearing and stoked passions among people of every political persuasion and ethnicity.

SENATORS MUST WATCH THEIR TONGUES. The cameras are always rolling. And senators are always in front of them. In this age of sound-bite journalism, in particular, that can make for a politically perilous combination. Context can be misconstrued. Tone can be lost. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., took some heat for a Ricky Riccardo riff. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., swore, kind of. And that kind of stuff can singe.

THE PUBLIC PROCESS ISN’T SO PUBLIC. From start to finish, the hearing is scripted. The questions senators asked, the answers Sotomayor gave, the testimony witnesses gave — everything was planned beforehand. And even the audience was skewed to the script. Most people in the room were part of the show — journalists, senators, aides, White House officials, lobbyists. Chairman Patrick Leahy noted that more than 2,000 members of the public attended the hearings. He didn’t say they were permitted into the hearing room on a rolling basis — and could stay in the room for only 20 minutes.
 
IT’S ALL ABOUT POLITICS. Senators had one eye on the witness table — and one eye on their home states. It’s a good bet that everything they said was intended for their audience back home — constituents who will vote on whether they keep their jobs or not. Both Republicans and Democrats were mindful — painfully so, it seemed — to watch their politics, particularly with Hispanics. They make up the fastest-growing minority group in the country, and, as such, pack a politically powerful punch. So, senators of all stripes walked a political tightrope, as they tried to make their points without offending Hispanics

Those are our thoughts. We asked your take on Twitter, and you responded.

That’s coming right up.

-Liz Sidoti, AP reporter, politics.

======

You came, you wrote

Fri Jul 17, 1:30 am ET

We asked you to put your opinions down on “paper” and write collaborative editorials on MixedInk for or against Sotomayor’s confirmation. The site lets users to post snippets of text, and mix and match phrases with others whose views you share.

Dozens of you put fingers to keyboards, expressing thoughts that couldn’t fit in a 140-character Tweet. The final versions are taking shape — check them out and unleash your inner scribe before the deadline at 10 a.m. EDT Friday.

Then check back after noon EDT to see the final versions.

-Burt Herman, AP editor

======

Beyond the hearing: path to confirmation

Fri Jul 17, 1:30 am ET

Sonia Sotomayor sat in the witness chair for more than three days in her quest to become the first Hispanic justice and third woman to take a seat on the Supreme Court. Through it all, she ducked and dodged her way through a gauntlet of questions, parrying with her answers — or nonanswers — to emerge unscathed.
 
By the end, she even had conservative Republicans singing her praises, though they wouldn’t commit to vote in her favor — yet.

So now what?
 
The Judiciary Committee scheduled a confirmation vote for Tuesday — and made that announcement even before public witnesses had finished testifying. But even though Republicans have said they won’t block Sotomayor’s confirmation, a committee vote might not happen then.

Any senator on the committee has the right to ask for a one-week delay on a confirmation vote. That means the latest it is going to happen is Tuesday, July 28. That gives Democrats almost two weeks to get her confirmed on the Senate floor before the chamber leaves for its summer break on August 7.

So what’s the chance that her confirmation fails? Barring a monumental surprise, zilch.

-Liz Sidoti, AP reporter, politics

======

That’s a wrap, people

Thur Jul 16, 8:15 pm ET

The Judiciary Committee has adjourned Sonia Sotomayor’s confirmation hearing after four days of testimony from the nominee and public witnesses — and four days of pandering to hometown voters by senators.

The committee still must vote on the nomination — slated for next week — and then the full Senate will have to vote. Democrats hope to wrap it up before taking off on summer recess in August.

So you legal addicts: Take a load off and get some rest.
 
-Liz Sidoti, AP reporter, politics

======

From the newspapers: Biden’s lawyer helped shepherd nominee

Thur Jul 16, 7:18 pm ET

Los Angeles Times writes about Biden’s chief lawyer’s role in the Sotomayor nomination.

Senators out-talk Sotomayor 2-1.

Analysis from legal experts.

The San Antonio Express-News writes that Sotomayor unites Hispanics.

The Houston Chronicle‘s Washington bureau chief’s tweets from the hearing.

Speak Spanish? Questions and Answers from El Nuevo Dia.

-Michael Giarrusso, AP editor

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Snap: Leahy the lensman

Thur Jul 16, 6:50 pm ET

Wonder why Judiciary Chairman Patrick Leahy was toting around a camera while presiding over Sonia Sotomayor’s confirmation hearing? Here’s the answer: he’s also an amateur photographer. He’s now showing off his own photos documenting the hearings.

-Julie Hirschfeld Davis, AP reporter, Congress

======

How much longer will it go?

Thur Jul 16, 6:11 pm ET

Looks like the threatened 1 a.m. EDT vote might have been a bit of motivation for senators to cut a deal to avoid voting at such an unpleasant hour. We’re told that negotiating is taking place now (on a bill unrelated to the confirmation hearing) because really, no one responsible for congressional business enjoys it in the wee hours.

That means (stay with us here) that the committee is likely to trudge through the final two panels. Best estimate from our knowledgeable source: “7:30, tops.”

-Laurie Kellman, AP reporter, Congress

======

New Haven firefighters tune out Sotomayor hearing

Thur Jul 16, 5:36 pm ET

Frank Ricci’s firehouse in New Haven was not exactly captivated by his appearance before the Senate Judiciary Committee. Some firefighters said they watched the hearing on TV briefly, while others said they were too busy testing hoses on a hot day.

Some said they were sick of it after six years — and that’s about all they would say. The city has ordered firefighters not to talk about the case.

Shortly after Ricci spoke, two firefighters were nearly asleep watching “Mad TV.” A military channel had been on earlier.

-John Christoffersen, AP correspondent, New Haven, Conn.

======

Friends with the FBI — director that is

Thur Jul 16, 5:23 pm ET

Former FBI Director Louis Freeh has quite a different perspective than most witnesses on Sonia Sotomayor. He’s actually seen her in the courtroom.

Freeh was a judge in federal court in Manhattan when Sotomayor arrived at the court in 1992. He said there was a tradition that the second newest judge had to mentor the newest judge. So he said he sat in her courtroom during trials and helped her review opinions. His conclusion: she has “enormous judicial integrity and commitment.”

About a year later, Freeh was nominated by President Clinton to be FBI director, a post he held until 2001.

-Larry Neumeister, AP New York-based federal court reporter, Washington

======

Cone recalls his glory days

Thur Jul 16, 5:16 pm ET

Fresh off winning the Cy Young Award as the American League’s top ace in 1994, David Cone found himself at the White House a few months later making another pitch: Trying to help end the players’ strike that had wiped out the World Series.

The baby-faced righty was part of a small group that met with President Bill Clinton and was a key player throughout the negotiations, representing major leaguers at the bargaining table. At one point, players and owners even agreed to shift talks from Washington to New York to accommodate his wedding.

Cone testified today in support of Sotomayor, who ended the baseball strike in 1995.

“A lot of people both inside and outside baseball tried to settle the dispute,” Cone said. Her key ruling forced owners and players back to the bargaining table and ultimately brought Major League Baseball back to the nation.

“With one decision Judge Sotomayor changed the entire dispute,” he said. “I believe all of us who love the game — players, owners and fans — are in her debt.”

Cone lost about $570,000 of his $2 million salary because of the walkout. It may have cost him a little more, too — two weeks after the strike was settled, his hometown Kansas City Royals saved money by trading him away.

Cone retired in 2003, leaving with credentials that got him on the Hall of Fame ballot last year. He won 194 games, was a five-time All- Star and played on five World Series champions. He pitched one of only
15 perfect games in modern baseball history, and once tied the then- National League record of 19 strikeouts in a game.

Now 46, Cone remains popular with fans as a broadcaster for the New York Yankees.

-Ben Walker, AP baseball writer, New York and Laurie Kellman, AP reporter, Congress

======

End times are near … maybe

Thur Jul 16, 5:03 pm ET

Everything in the Senate revolves around votes — and there’s one at 1 a.m. Friday EDT.

What that has to do with the Sotomayor hearing: It might continue into the night until all public witnesses have been heard because senators have to stick around anyway for the vote. Another reason: If at all possible, senators would like to head home Friday rather than sit in committee.

No decision on timing has been made, according to a knowledgeable person. So, once again, stay tuned.

-Laurie Kellman, AP reporter, Congress

======

Vote next week, if Dems have their way

Thur Jul 16, 4:54 pm ET

Democrats are wasting no time now that Sonia Sotomayor has passed her confirmation hearing test in good condition.

Public witnesses for and against Sotomayor were still testifying when Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy’s aides announced that it had scheduled a confirmation vote on her nomination for Tuesday. But while Republicans have said they won’t block Sotomayor’s confirmation, a committee vote might not happen then.

Any senator on the committee has the right to ask for a one-week delay on a confirmation vote. Scheduling the vote for Tuesday means that the latest it is going to happen is Tuesday, July 28. That gives Democrats almost two weeks to get her confirmed on the Senate floor before the chamber leaves for its summer break on August 7.

-Jesse J. Holland, AP reporter, Supreme Court

======

Hispanic firefighter was labeled as Uncle Tom and traitor

Thur Jul 16, 4:30 pm ET

Benjamin Vargas had a tough decision. He was one of only two Hispanics who scored high enough on a promotion test for New Haven firefighters, and city officials threw it out because too few minorities scored well.

He could join a group of white firefighters suing the city, or he could side with others — including many minorities — who wanted the results thrown out.

He joined the lawsuit and says others labeled him as an Uncle Tom and a traitor to the Hispanic community.

“I received lots of criticism,” he said testifying to the Senate Judiciary Committee. “I’ve got a thick skin.”

Judge Sonia Sotomayor was part of a three-judge panel that rejected the lawsuit. Last month, the Supreme Court ruled for the firefighters, and Sotomayor has faced harsh criticism for her ruling.

Vargas said he was proud of the Hispanic background that he shares with Sotomayor, but that the ruling was unfair and un-American.

“This is what America is all about. You work hard,” he said. “We’re the greatest country in the world. … You rise and fall on your own merits.”

Vargas said the Supreme Court decision makes him believe that things are getting better. “We’re going the right direction now.”

-Michael Giarrusso, AP editor

New Haven, Conn. firefighters Ben Vargas, right, and

Frank Ricci (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

======

Short white guys — and others — welcome

Thur Jul 16, 4:30 pm ET

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., seemed to try to have it both ways on diversity as he spoke to Frank Ricci, the New Haven, Conn., firefighter testifying about the controversial reverse-discrimination case.

The senator professed his belief that judges should be chosen on merit — but then claimed that considering diversity was “a standard way of operating in political circles.”

“I know that Republicans sit down and think … let’s make sure we let the whole country know the Republican Party is just not a party of short white guys,” said Graham, himself a short white guy.

He seemed to try to explain himself later, saying: “What I wanted to tell the country is Republicans very much do sit down and think about political picks and appointments, in a political sense, to try to show that we are a party that looks at all Americans and wants to give an opportunity. That is just life, and that is not a bad thing.”

-Larry Neumeister, AP New York-based federal courts reporter, Washington

======

The docket: coming up in the fall

Thur Jul 16, 4:43 pm ET

The Supreme Court has released the cases that Sotomayor and her eight colleagues will hear on her first day of the next session if she is confirmed to the Supreme Court. The three cases the Supreme Court will hear on Monday, Oct. 5, will be:

MARYLAND V. SHATZER: A case in which the Supreme Court will clarify how long a suspected criminal’s request for a lawyer during police interrogation should be valid. The court will hear Maryland’s appeal of a decision throwing out child molester Michael Shatzer’s confession.
Shatzer asked for a lawyer almost three years before admitting to the abuse.

MOHAWK INDUSTRIES V. CARPENTER: A case where the high court will decide whether a party may immediately appeal a discovery order to disclose materials said to be covered by the attorney-client privilege.

SOUTH CAROLINA V. NORTH CAROLINA: A fight between those two states over water in the Catawba River. South Carolina says North Carolina is taking more than its equitable share of water out of the Catawba.

-Jesse J. Holland, AP reporter, Supreme Court

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Tick, tock

Thur Jul 16, 4:30 pm ET

It’s that time of day when we ask ourselves: How much longer is this hearing going to take? Early guidance is that the Judiciary Committee might not hear from all three remaining public witness panels today. Stay tuned.
 
-Laurie Kellman, AP reporter, Congress

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Getting to the point

Thur Jul 16, 3:57 pm ET

Leave it to Sen. Arlen Specter to ask the question everyone wants to know: “Do you have any reason to think that Judge Sotomayor acted in anything other than good faith in trying to reach a fair decision in the case?”
 
The Pennsylvania Democrat asked that of New Haven firefighters Frank Ricci and Benjamin Vargas who joined other plaintiffs in a racial bias lawsuit against the Connecticut city.
 
Ricci’s microphone briefly went out, but here’s what he said: “That’s beyond my legal expertise … This is our first time we’ve gotten to testify about our story so I can’t comment.”
 
Did Specter get Vargas to go any further? Not so much. “I would have to defer to the same response. We were invited here to give our story, and we wanted to focus on that,” Vargas said.
 
Sotomayor was part of a three-judge panel that ruled against the firefighters. That ruling was overturned by the Supreme Court, and opponents have been highly critical of Sotomayor’s decision in the case.

-Laurie Kellman, AP reporter, Congress

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Graham’s colorful commentary

Thur Jul 16, 3:57 pm ET

Think Sen. Lindsey Graham’s previous comments during the Sonia Sotomayor hearing have been colorful? Think again.

The South Carolina Republican just cussed when addressing firefighter Frank Ricci. “I appreciate how difficult this must have been for you to bust your ass and study so hard” and still be turned down for a promotion, Graham said.

“You probably did not get the day in court that you deserved,” Graham added. “Please do not lose sight of the fact that not so very long ago, the test was rigged a different way.”

-Laurie Kellman, AP reporter, Congress

Sen. Lindsey Graham (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

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