Nobody owes anybody any deference in these hearings. The Senate stands at 60 Dems and 40 Republicans and Sotomayor will get in. Is Sotomayor too liberal for Sessions, Connor and the rest of her conservative assailants? No doubt about it. Obama is not going to nominate anyone who reflects their narrow point of view.
Bottom line is this...the Republicans lost the election, and its our turn to pick a justice. Get used to it Bruce, there will be more coming.