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Sen. Sessions Says Filibuster Of Sotomayor Nomination Unlikely

Washington, D.C. – Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions says he doesn't ``sense'' a filibuster in the works against President Barack Obama's Supreme Court pick.

But, the top Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee says Sonia Sotomayor ``has serious problems.''

Sessions told NBC's ``Today'' show Sotomayor ``has a good resume,'' but he's troubled by Sotomayor's past comment that federal appellate courts ``make policy.''

Sessions says GOP lawmakers want to closely scrutinize her legal philosophy.

The Alabama senator says it's ``possible'' he could back Sotomayor's nomination, even though he opposed her when she was nominated to the U.S. Court of Appeals in 1998.

Sessions says he wants to take a ``fresh'' look at the record. But, he says he also wants to know whether ``she has a tendency to be aggressive'' on the bench and impose her own beliefs.

Meanwhile, a coalition of liberal groups is launching a TV ad describing Sotomayor as principled, fair-minded and independent.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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