Sonia Sotomayor: “Unequivocally and without doubt, I do not believe that any ethnic, racial or gender group has an advantage in sound judgment.”

UPDATE: Leahy: “Is it right to say that you accept the Supreme Court decision that the Second Amendment guarantees an individual right to bear arms?”

Sotomayor: “Yes, sir, I do.”

ANOTHER UPDATE: Senate Republicans respectfully suggest that characterizing the controversy over her words a “misunderstanding,” as the nominee and chairman just have, doesn’t hold up to close examination.

“Supreme Court Nominee Sonia Sotomayor Delivered Multiple Speeches Between 1994 And 2003 In Which She Suggested ‘A Wise Latina Woman’ Or ‘Wise Woman’ Judge Might ‘Reach A Better Conclusion’ Than A Male Judge.” (“Sotomayor Repeatedly Referenced ‘Wise Woman’ In Speeches,” CQ’s “Legal Beat” Blog, 6/4/09)
“The Line Was Almost Identical Every Time: ‘I Would Hope That A Wise Latina Woman With The Richness Of Her Experiences Would, More Often Than Not, Reach A Better Conclusion.” (“Sotomayor’s ‘Wise Latina’ Comment A Staple Of Her Speeches,” CNN, 6/8/09)
White House: Sotomayor’s Remarks Are Part Of Her “Stump Speech.” “The White House says these examples prove the concept is part of her stump speech, intended to be an aspirational comment, as the judge has told senators.” (“Sotomayor ‘Wise Latina’ Quote Used On Multiple Occasions,” CNN, 6/5/09)

When it’s part of your “stump speech” and people keep interpreting it a certain way, it’s problematic to claim this is all a big misunderstanding.