The New York Times takes a look at what is expected of the GOP in the Sotomayor confirmation hearings:

Mr. Sessions pointed to what he called Judge Sotomayor’s advocacy positions and to her widely publicized remark that a “wise Latina woman” would make better judicial decisions than a white man.

“I am really flabbergasted by the depth and consistency of her philosophical critique of the ideal of impartial justice,” Mr. Sessions said. “I think that’s a real expression of hers.”

But he said the Judiciary Committee hearing would be an “educational moment” rather than an attempt to stop the confirmation.

Democrats appear confident that Judge Sotomayor will be confirmed, thus becoming the first Hispanic to sit on the nation’s highest court.

Don’t be surprised if the GOP doesn’t pander to their base in the questionings. They are looking at the 2012 midterm elections. But if they do pander too much with fairly ridiculous questioning, it will certainly hurt them among independent and Hispanic voters.