Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich says he shouldn't have called Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor a racist. In a letter to supporters Wednesday, the Georgia Republican said his words had been "perhaps too strong and direct." Sotomayor would be the first Hispanic and the third woman to serve on the high court. Gingrich said last week that she was a reverse "racist" who should withdraw her nomination, based on a 2001 speech in which Sotomayor said the decisions of a "wise Latina" would be better than those of a white male without similar experiences. Gingrich conceded that Sotomayor's rulings have "shown more caution and moderation" than her speeches and writings.
(Associated Press)
(Associated Press)
