Sotomayor preps for Senate courtship

WASHINGTON — Venturing into a tradition of protocol and politics, Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor prepared Monday to greet the senators who will decide her judicial future as control of her Supreme Court journey shifts to Capitol Hill.

One week after President Barack Obama introduced her to the nation, Sotomayor on Tuesday starts private, informal meetings with key Senate leaders of both parties. So begins the choreographed march the White House hopes will land her on the nation's highest court, perhaps for decades to come.

Quietly but aggressively, a White House team loaded with confirmation veterans is working daily to help Sotomayor and promote the narrative that Obama began: a seasoned federal judge who overcame hardship as a youngster and would deliver justice that reflects respect for the law but an understanding of real life.

Republicans, though, are poised to push Sotomayor about whether she would put her own views above the law and rule as an "activist."

Sotomayor was at the White House on Monday, consulting with White House attorneys and going over her Senate questionnaire. Her response to the document — an extensive survey of her life, public statements, rulings and political activities — is expected soon.

Beyond the Senate meet-and-greets, Sotomayor is likely to spend most of her week at the White House.

The judge herself is staying mum in public, as is custom. News photographers could cover her White House visit Monday, but reporters could not.

Barring a huge surprise, she is expected to be confirmed. Democrats control 59 seats in the Senate, where a majority vote is needed for confirmation.

On Tuesday, Sotomayor is expected to visit 10 senators, including Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev.; Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.; Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., the chairman of the Judiciary Committee; and Sen. Jeff Sessions of Alabama, the panel's top Republican.

She's also slated to meet with the No. 2 Democrat and Republican, Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., and Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., and to lunch privately with Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., a Judiciary member and her unofficial chaperone during the confirmation process.