No

"Absolutely not. The GOP has been smeared by the bigotry of its fringe groups -- it's why they can't make a dent among minority and young voters. They mess this one up and they'll carry it as a cross into 2010, 2012, even 2016. Latinos are the biggest minority group in the U.S. and we will become even bigger in the next few years. The GOP is doomed if they dare to use Sotomayor's ethnicity and gender to derail her nomination." Liza Sabater, CultureKitchen

"Let's see: an Hispanic woman nominated by an immensely popular president who campaigned on the fact that he would nominate people like Sotomayor. And a left-leaning judge replacing a left-leaning judge. Unless it turns out that Sotomayor is a pedophile of puppies, Republicans should just walk away from this one." Lee Papa, The Rude Pundit

"And they'll probably figure that out." Mark Kleiman, The Reality-Based Community

"If they want to further alienate the Latino community as they did with immigration reform, then by all means -- Republicans should continue to criticize Sotomayor's credentials and work hard to block or delay her confirmation." Cheryl Contee, Jack And Jill Politics

"I think a majority of the American public is heartily sick of the GOP's perpetual whining and obstructionism. Republicans should pick their fights. Saying no to everything is just tiresome." Barbara O'Brien, The Mahablog

"Not the message the GOP wants to send to the fastest-growing minority group in the nation." Matt L. Barron, RuralVotes

"No, but I have no doubt that won't stop them." Greg Dworkin, Daily Kos

"But try they will." Tracy Viselli, Reno And Its Discontents

"But the Republicans can no more stop themselves from doing it than they can from breathing." Susie Madrak, Suburban Guerrilla

"In order to block the confirmation, they've got to come up with something much stronger than what they've got now. I don't think accusing her of reverse racism is going to do them any more good than accusing Obama of 'palling around with terrorists.' But I never underestimate the power of the right wing to run an effective smear campaign." Ellen Brodsky, News Hounds

"Sotomayor is eminently qualified, and she's no liberal judicial activist. The protestations of the far-right groups that will no doubt try to stir something up are unlikely to get any traction even with Senate Republicans, much less with ordinary Americans." David Kravitz, Blue Mass. Group

"Senate Republicans will publicly pander to their base, as is required. But they won't do the dirty work. They'll leave that up to their hit groups, with help from their friends at National Review Online, who are using 9/11 and Harriet Miers arguments in a How Low Can You Go? competition. Wingnut radio will bat cleanup." Taylor Marsh

"Obviously, the answer is no. But the base may demand it anyway." Big Tent Democrat, TalkLeft

"I would love to see the GOP try to further gut its chances with Hispanic-Americans, but I doubt that it'll happen." Robert Farley, Lawyers, Guns And Money

"Attacking empathy and race-barrier-breaking nominees is never a good idea. Of course, many will still jump at the opportunity." Chris Bowers, Open Left

"If they play to their frothing, crazed base and denigrate her they may be able to raise some money, but at the expense of emphasizing to the mainstream that they are off the deep end and not really serious contenders. Let's remember that their Senate whip -- and Judiciary Committee member -- Jon Kyl announced his opposition two days after Obama was elected." Howie Klein, Down With Tyranny!

"How much more do Republicans want to alienate women, Hispanics and the vast majority of the country, which just plain likes Obama?" David NYC, Swing State Project

Yes

"It's too early to say how far the GOP should push. But it's clear that Republicans need to lay down a marker on how liberals vs. conservatives view the role of the courts. Actually defeating the nomination, which remains an unlikely result, may end up being irrelevant to that goal." Dan McLaughlin, Baseball Crank

"The Democrats who tried to block Roberts and Alito appear to have suffered no adverse consequences. Sotomayor is on the wrong side of fairness, empathy, the Constitution and the American people in regards to firearms ownership (Maloney v. Cuomo; United States v. Sanchez-Villar); wealthy people using the government's eminent domain power to extort money from small business (Didden v. Village of Port Chester); and a racial spoils system for government employees (Ricci v. DeStefano)." David Kopel, The Volokh Conspiracy

"I don't like the way this question is formulated. Rather than 'blocking' her, they should subject her to the same fair-minded, far-reaching and introspective examinations SCOTUS candidates like Clarence Thomas, Robert Bork and Samuel Alito were given. And there's plenty to examine. This should be above politics and racist bean-counting." Robert Miller, JoshuaPundit

"If President McCain were making a SCOTUS nomination, the left would be demanding his selection be a moderate. Obama chose a clear liberal with no consideration to his ideological opponents. Republicans should try to block (not Bork) Sotomayor's nomination. What's good for the goose..." Bob Parks, Black And Right

"It would be politically smart for Senate Republicans to show that they have some principles. In this regard, they should remember that the media only forgives mavericks when they are true RINOs on all issues (provided, of course, that there's not someone with better street creds on the identity politics issue, as Hillary can attest)." Bookworm, Bookworm Room

"Her flippant comments regarding judges making policy, caught on video, are fairly easily understood by many Americans as overtly counter to the requirements for a Supreme Court justice... or any judge, for that matter. This doesn't mean that policymaking doesn't happen from the bench -- many people know that. It's just the open acknowlegement that is so blatant, coupled with her jokingly trivial attitude that many will find unnerving." Doug Lambert, GraniteGrok

No

"I think it would be a waste of time. If Sotomayor gets confirmed, the overall ideology of the court doesn't change much. And outside of raising a stink and slowing the process down, there's really nothing Republicans can do to stop it. So why not let it go through and concentrate on other priorities like nationalized health care and cap-and-trade?" Rob Port, Say Anything

"If it were possible to oppose her on her qualifications, it would make sense. But it doesn't pay to pick a fight that they can't win. Especially when the president's next nominee isn't likely to be any more palatable from an ideological standpoint." David Gerstman, Soccer Dad

"Ultimately, I believe the confirmation is not a request for ideological approval, but a check against corruption and incompetence. Republicans should focus on making their case about judicial interpretation and the role of the judiciary. Besides, Republicans don't have the votes to do anything more than flail ineffectually, and that is unlikely to help the Right over the longer term." Jon Henke, The Next Right

"We aren't going to beat her unless she beats herself. But we should paint Obama with what this says about his decision-making. This is just another way in which Obama acts like a conventional liberal outside of the American mainstream." Soren Dayton, The Next Right

"A fair hearing of her controversial views is in order. But even aside from being a Hispanic woman, she was initially appointed by Republican George H.W. Bush. It would look silly to claim she's too radical." James Joyner, Outside The Beltway

"They might or might not have the votes to filibuster if they so choose; however, the usual Democrat/liberal canards of 'anti-woman' and 'anti-Hispanic' will then be put into play. The GOP should save its 'nuclear option' for when (if) Obama gets an opportunity to replace a conservative on the court." D.S. Hube, The Colossus Of Rhodey

"Fight some, make sure she is qualified, sure; but an actual attempt to block the nomination would be pointless." Steven Taylor, PoliBlog

"They're guaranteed to lose. Why start a fight you can't win?" John Hawkins, Right Wing News

Helps a lot

"Do a search of 'Joe Biden GILF' and you'll see what I mean when I say that Millennials totally dig Biden as the only man capable of making 'old white men' cool. I find his popularity among 20-somethings confounding and refreshing. They like the fact that he 'effs up' and that he speaks his mind. Biden wasn't made for old D.C., but he's perfect for Millennials." Liza Sabater, CultureKitchen

"I think the gaffes are being way overhyped. He's a smart, experienced politician who I'm sure is useful to Obama behind the scenes." Ellen Brodsky, News Hounds

"Joe Biden is very popular in Pennsylvania, which turns out the vote for the Dems." Susie Madrak, Suburban Guerrilla

Helps a little

"Biden's off-kilter image seems to make Obama look a bit more calm, sane and rational." Chris Bowers, Open Left

"Biden draws fire enough that it leaves Obama a bit more free to do his job. It's sort of the reverse of Bush and Cheney. Except you get the feeling that Joe enjoys being the guy who shocks the delicate sensibilities of the tightasses." Lee Papa, The Rude Pundit

"He's the vice president, and unlike Cheney he is doing the normal VP stuff. Sure, he makes a few mistakes, but he's human, and people understand that." Brian Leubitz, Calitics

"He's mostly behind the scences, with an occasional 'speak or misspeak your mind' Bidenism, with little impact except on the media looking for a quick story." Greg Dworkin, Daily Kos

"I don't know that the 'helps/hurts' dynamic is all that helpful at this point; the broader question is what kind of influence Biden is having within the administration. Unfortunately, we usually don't know this until after an administration has left power." Robert Farley, Lawyers, Guns And Money

Hurts a little

"Jesus, is he lame! He'd hurt the administration a lot more if anyone was paying attention. The idea of him running in 2016 is really scary." Howie Klein, Down With Tyranny!

No impact

"I think Biden is largely ignored by the administration and is a nonentity politically. No impact." Big Tent Democrat, TalkLeft

Helps a little

"I don't think most people care what Biden does. However, to the degree that he gets any attention, it's for comic relief, which actually takes some pressure off Obama. In the Bush administration, Bush tended to be the comic relief, which really isn't what one wants as president. Biden is more in the Dan Quayle mode (though not in Quayle's league), which is more what one wants in a veep than a Cheney (whom everyone jokes is actually in charge)." Steven Taylor, PoliBlog

"Vice President Biden brings a great deal of experience and expertise, particularly on legislative, foreign policy and judicial matters. However, since Biden is likely to be used in a more consultative, advisory role, it will likely be difficult to discern and measure his impact." Jon Henke, The Next Right

Hurts a little

"Was supposed to be a wise expert in foreign policy. Now rather comical. In the last six months, has greatly underperformed Sarah Palin." David Kopel, The Volokh Conspiracy

"Every time Biden opens his mouth, something silly pops out. However, as he is a mere VP, which most people view as a pointless job anyway (unless the evil, Machiavellian Cheney occupies the office), his chronic foot-in-mouth disease is more of an irritant than a problem." Bookworm, Bookworm Room

"Mr. Gaffe Machine is just that. When he's (rarely) gaffe-free, he's a strong voice for the administration. However, too often his foot ends up in his mouth." D.S. Hube, The Colossus Of Rhodey

"The clown prince of the Obama administration is more comic relief than anything else. If anything, he actually distracts from some of the worst policies the Obama administration is implementing." Rob Port, Say Anything

"The problem is: Nobody takes him serious." Michael van der Galien, PoliGazette

Hurts a lot

"Slo-Joe an asset? You kidding me? The guy who's been consistently wrong on every foreign policy question for the last quarter-century?" Robert Miller, JoshuaPundit

No impact

"During the campaign, Karen Tumulty wrote an article about the Obama camp's efforts to rein in 'a voluble No. 2.' Given the recent revelations that President Obama has misgivings about VP Biden's 'indiscipline,' it would seem that the campaign had the right idea. But no matter how silly some of Biden's statements are, they don't hurt the administration much, because no one's much interested in him." David Gerstman, Soccer Dad