New York DA says Sotomayor no radical

-- New York District Attorney Robert Morgenthau says political pundits are incorrect when they call U.S. Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor a radical.

Morgenthau said in a New York Daily News opinion piece Thursday Sotomayor, who sits on 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, is by no means a radical legal figure as some pundits have labeled her.

"To be sure, she is in favor of civil rights, in the sense that she believes there should be fair treatment for all. But that is, of course, the law," Morgenthau said. "And she understands poverty, and does seem willing to accept government action that provides a safety net to the poor. But that is not exactly 'radical.'"

Sotomayor was nominated to the Supreme Court this week by President Barack Obama. She would be the first Hispanic and only the third female Supreme Court justice if confirmed.

Morgenthau said those who use Sotomayor's gender or race to criticize her are making a mistake.

"She may be a woman, and she may be a Latina. But Sonia Sotomayor possesses an abundance of wisdom, intelligence, collegiality and good character. Sotomayor is where she is today because of her talent," he wrote.