GOP Will Treat Solicitor General Kagan Like Justice Sotomayor

The Republican National Committee published a piece today in which they alluded to the "disciplined, respectful response" Senate Republicans gave to Justice Sotomayor during her confirmation hearings and explained that they will now subject Solicitor General Kagan to the same treatment.

Those not suffering from amnesia will remember exactly how "respectful" Republicans were in their criticisms of then-Judge Sotomayor...

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) spoke against using the "empathy standard" to judge Justice Sotomayor -- even though he had supported other nominees and their "great empathy" in the past.  McConnell also said he had "better things to do" than stopping his party's attacks.

Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK) grilled then-Judge Sotomayor on other countries' policies even though he has argued against American laws based on foreign law.

Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) attempted to call then-Judge Sotomayor racist for her opinion in the Ricci ruling.

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) admitted that opposing Sotomayor for political reasons is "not doing the country any good," but said Republicans should do it anyway (before eventually voting to confirm her). 

Sen. James Inhofe (R-OK) questioned whether Sotomayor can make rulings "without undue influence" from her race or gender. 

Sen. Pat Roberts (R-KS) announced he would vote "no" on Sotomayor's nomination no matter what she said in her confirmation hearings.

Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL) reprimanded then-Judge Sotomayor for not voting like other Puerto Ricans.

The RNC tweeted: "The chairman's final question for Judge Sotomayor goes to judicial temperament, can she get along with others?"

And after her confirmation, the RNC didn't think the first Hispanic Supreme Court Justice warranted a place in their National Hispanic Heritage Month video.