Abigail Smith : Sonia Sotomayor 's life story is a compelling one . She says we have n't honored such humble beginnings in our lives . By definition , conservatives are assumed to lack empathy . She says Sotomayor 's ` ` empathy '' may be code word for one brand of politics . Thernstrom : I ' m concerned that judge may have more fidelity to activism than to law .
Abigail Smith : Sonia Sotomayor 's life story is a compelling one . She says we have n't honored such humble beginnings in our lives . She says Sotomayor 's ` ` empathy '' may be code word for one brand of politics . Thernstrom : I ' m concerned that judge may have more fidelity to activism than to law .