Life Experiences Influence Work For Everyone - Judges Included

My favorite moment in Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor's confirmation hearings was when Judge Sotomayor spoke earnestly about being inspired by a particular episode of the classic TV series Perry Mason. Newly installed Minnesota Sen. Al Franken leaned into his microphone and deadpanned: "What was the one case in Perry Mason that [District Attorney Hamilton] Burger won?"

His satire was so subtle, even Judge Sotomayor seemed caught off guard, addressing his question at first seriously and succinctly. He had to deliver another wry line, "Didn't the White House prepare you for that [line of questioning]?" before she lowered her head into her hands, smiling broadly. For a brief moment, Judge Sotomayor could exhale and let down her guard.

Bravo, Senator Franken. With one simple, witty question delivered in your best uber-statesman voice, you exposed the rampant grandstanding characterizing these and so many previous televised hearings. All those questions asked simply so the questioner could claim some camera face-time. More questions asked so that the questioner's constituents could see proof that he or she was not off lunching with lobbyists or loitering in airport restrooms. The countless concluding, speechifying questions asked just to get something on the record for future campaign use. Blah, blah, blah.

In my opinion - which is why I'm here, right? - Judge Sotomayor came off stunningly. That woman could probably compete in the Washington, D.C. Ironwoman Triathlon of Hearings, she showed such stamina and style. But who would have the endurance to watch? Not me.

Her face never seemed to indicate even a hint of annoyance at the single question repeatedly asked of her, rephrased with different supporting quotations from her speeches or interviews: Were her life experiences going to influence her judicial decisions?

Meanwhile, in kitchens and offices, family rooms and dens all over the country, people were furrowing their brows, tsk-tsking and shouting "Come on!" at their television sets - perhaps even standing up to snap off the power. Because we all know the answer to that question:

Of course!

Judge Sotomayor said, responding to questioning from Sen. Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania: "I judge on the basis of the law and reasoning." And if you are very clever, you will discern that she spoke the truth we knew all along.