Hatch: If no surprises, Sotomayor 'highly likely' to be confirmed

Hatch: If no surprises, Sotomayor 'highly likely' to be confirmed
Posted: 03:53 PM ET

From CNN Radio's Lisa Desjardins

Sen. Orrin Hatch says Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor 'will probably be confirmed' barring any 'disqualifying matters.'

WASHINGTON (CNN) — It is part political reality — and, seemingly, part Republican strategy.

The longest-serving Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee tells CNN Radio that as things stand now, Sonia Sotomayor is headed for a Supreme Court confirmation.

"If there are no otherwise disqualifying matters here, it appears to me she will probably be confirmed," Senator Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, said Thursday.

Hatch is acknowledging the Senate landscape. Democrats could have 60 votes in the chamber if Minnesota's Al Franken is seated, and they now hold a 12 to 7 majority on the Judiciary Committee.

But as he speaks to Sotomayor's strength, Hatch is also digging the first Republican battle line on her nomination: the schedule.

"If the Democrats don't overplay their hand and don't try to rush this too much, the process will go well, they'll be better off, she'll get confirmed," he said, again adding that is if no new concerns come to light.

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http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/05/28/hatch-if-no-surprises-sotomayor-highly-likely-to-be-confirmed/