Americans divided on Sotomayor, expect fireworks

New poll results out today suggest that public support for Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor may have dipped, just before her confirmation hearings begin Monday.

The CNN/Opinion Research Corp. survey found that 47 percent of Americans want the Senate to confirm Sotomayor, while 40 percent do not and the remaining 13 percent have no opinion.

Those numbers are far more divided than the most recent justices to join the court -- Samuel Alito (54 percent in favor, 30 against) and John Roberts (60 percent versus 26 percent) -- just before their confirmation hearings. But they're better than for Harriet Miers (42 percent for, 43 percent against), whose nomination was withdrawn before hearings began.

While President Obama, Democrats, and other supporters have extolled Sotomayor's experience as a judge and her up-from-the-Bronx life story, Republicans and other critics have lambasted some of her rulings -- particularly one against white firefighters that was overturned by the Supreme Court last week -- and questioned whether she would be able to get beyond her own background in judging cases.

Anti-abortion and gun rights groups are also trying to build opposition to Sotomayor, who would be the first Hispanic on the high court.

Respondents in the poll were also divided whether the Senate -- if the confirmation hearings show she is qualified and has no ethical problems -- would be justified in voting against her if they disagree with her on issues such as gun control and abortion: 47 percent said senators would be justified, while 49 percent said they would not.

The poll also found that Americans expect a big fight over her nomination, though most observers expect she will be confirmed. Sixty percent said they expect a major battle between Democrats and Republicans, while only 38 percent anticipate a relatively easy process.

UPDATE: To combat the critics, Vice President Joe Biden sent an email today -- in both English and Spanish -- to the supporter lists of the Democratic National Committee and Organizing for America, Obama's grassroots organization.

Biden urges them to call their senator, write a letter to their local newspaper, or otherwise show their support for Sotomayor.

"Judge Sonia Sotomayor's confirmation hearings begin Monday, and that means we're one step closer to getting her on the Supreme Court," Biden says.

"Since President Obama nominated her back in May, Judge Sotomayor's brilliance and unique legal qualifications have stood strong against fierce scrutiny. Law enforcement officials have praised her tough-mindedness and experience as a prosecutor and trial judge, and just this week she earned the highest possible rating from the American Bar Association. There's no doubt -- the President picked the right person for the job.

"Next week, the Senate hearings will once again focus the press on this historic nomination, and those who are desperate to play politics with the President's nominee will see this as their last, best chance. Your support for Judge Sotomayor at this critical step will make a big difference."