Even though the GOP has largely accepted that it won't be able to block the confirmation of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court, party members and conservative activists still hoped they could get something out of the nomination. Fights over the court tend to provide the best fundraising opportunity between elections, and are a good chance to energize supporters. But this time, that might not happen.
A Monday article in Politico details Republicans' concerns that a fight over Sotomayor's nomination just won't pay off. "She doesn’t have the punch out there in terms of fundraising and recruiting, I think -- at least so far," Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., who's in line to be the Senate's fourth-ranking Republican, told Politico. Sen. Mel Martinez, R-Fla., the former head of the Republican National Committee, concurred, saying, "I don't think she's the kind of person that invites that kind of reaction."
That may keep Republican senators from pressing too hard against Sotomayor, but it doesn't mean activists on the right won't still try to fight against her, and raise some money in the process. It's hard out there for everyone, money-wise, and even some help is better than nothing.
Shares