Obama to name Sotomayor as Supreme Court pick

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- President Obama has chosen federal Judge Sonia Sotomayor as his nominee for the U.S. Supreme Court, two sources told CNN on Tuesday.

Sotomayor will be the first Hispanic U.S. Supreme Court justice if confirmed

Obama plans to announce his nominee at 10:15 a.m. ET Tuesday, sources told CNN.

Obama said Saturday he wants intellectual firepower and a common touch in the next Supreme Court justice and said he doesn't "feel weighed down by having to choose ... based on demographics."

Obama's nominee will replace retiring Justice David Souter, who announced this month he would step down when the court's current session ends this summer.

There had been wide speculation that Obama would name a woman to the court, which has one female justice, Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

Obama also had been under pressure to nominate a Hispanic justice to the court, which has never had one.

Obama's nomination will have to be confirmed by the Senate Judiciary Committee and the full Senate.

The nominee is not expected to have difficulty being confirmed in the Democratic-controlled Senate in time for the new court session in October.

The president has said he hopes to have hearings in July, with the confirmation completed before Congress leaves for the summer.

She's a bit loud, but all this talk of her lacking intelligence is misguided garbage. She'll bring a bit of diversity to the court, something I welcome. She loves the power that comes with the position, and there are many quotes Republicans will pounce on during the process, but from what I know, I don't disagree with her statements regarding the role of a judge and how being a non-white female can effect her views.

All in all, it's a very Obama-like nomination, I think everyone saw it coming and I really like the pick (my kind of SCJ). Krem's right though, Republicans are going to go for blood despite the fact that she was nominated to a position by Bush and is fairly moderate.

Anyone know her stance on gay marriage/abortion ... she is Cathlioc ... ?

It's great to see the best high jumper of all time get some recognition by the U.S. Nevertheless, I am a bit puzzled by Obama's decision to nominate a Cuban national for Supreme Court. To me, that shows a certain lack of judgement and the deficiencies in the vetting process; expect a bitter nomination battle, as Republicans will almost certainly bring up the doping allegations of the late 90's.

Her family is from Puerto Rico not Cuba but she was born in the U.S so I don't see an issue there. If the republican attack her they can kiss away any chance at regaining the Hispanic vote.

He was joking referring to Javier Sotomayor instead.

i'm not sure yet about this pick. I've heard both good and bad things about this woman. There are a few trouble things such as her saying that the appeals court is where laws are made. Which is completely incorrect, that would be the legislative branch. 5 of her 6 court cases that reached the supreme court were overturned by the supreme court. I don't know what the cases are, haven't had time to read about them to see if it was just politicking. The final one is saying that in situations a Hispanic woman with her experience will rule better than a white man. Their job is to follow the constitution, it shouldn't matter what your background is. It's basically reverse racism. If I said a statement such as a white man will rule better than a Hispanic woman, that would be considered racist.

As for her experience, isn't it basically the same as all the other justices at the time of their appointment?
Ivy League law school? Check. (Only Justice Stevens went to, gasp, Northwestern)
Court of Appeals judge? Check
Middle aged? Check.
No legislative experience? Check.