White House Moving Into Sotomayor Damage Control Mode

Several prominent Democrats have called on Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor to make a public statement disavowing her remarks that suggested a Latina woman would make a better judge than a white male just because of their racial and ethnic heritage. Many on the right have described the comment as racist.

This afternoon the White House started damage control:

White House press secretary Robert Gibbs walked back controversial comments made by Supreme Court nominee Judge Sonia Sotomayor in 2001 when she said, “I would hope that a wise Latina woman with the richness of her experiences would more often than not reach a better conclusion than a white male who hasn't lived that life.”

“I think he’d say her word choice in 2001 was poor,” Gibbs said, suggesting his statement was based on conversations he’d had with people who have talked to Sotomayor. “She was simply making the point that experiences are relevant to the process of judging. Your personal exp have a tendency to make you more aware of certain facts and certain cases, that your experiences impact your understanding.”

Sotomayor made the comments at the University of California, Berkeley, School of Law. This week critics including former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, R-Ga., and talk radio giant Rush Limbaugh have characterized the remarks as racist.

About her use of the word “better,” Gibbs said “I think if she had the speech to do all over again I think she’d change that word.”

Until I hear it from her, I'll never believe she didn't say exactly what she means. And even then, I'll be very skeptical. This won't make the controversy go away.

Now, what are they going to do about her stance on guns?