Republicans criticised Barack Obama today for appointing a “liberal activist” to the Supreme Court.

The president said Sonia Sotomayor, the first Hispanic woman to become a Supreme Court judge, was an embodiment of “the American dream”.

Announcing his choice at the White House, Mr Obama paid tribute to Ms Sotomayor, a judge since 1991, as an “inspiring woman” for rising from her roots in the south Bronx.

“Along the way she's faced down barriers, overcome the odds, lived out the American dream that brought her parents here,” he said.

But Right-wing radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh, seen as the voice of the Republican party, described the 54-year-old as a “horrible pick”. He said: “I doubt that Sotomayor can be stopped. She should be.”

Other conservative groups went on the offensive. Wendy Long, of the Judicial Confirmation Network, called her a “liberal judicial activist of the first order who thinks her own personal political agenda is more important than the law as written”.

Republican senators vowed to vet Ms Sotomayor rigorously when the Senate meets to ratify her appointment.

Ms Sotomayor said she hoped to bring real life experience to the role. “I strive never to forget the real world consequences of my decisions on individuals, businesses and government,” she said.

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