The New York Times is reporting that the Senate Judiciary Committee voted to recommend confirmation for President Obama's first nominee to the United States Supreme Court, Judge Sonia Sotomayor. All 12 Democrats voted aye.

While some things have changed since the Clarence Thomas confirmation hearings, some things probably never will: Texas' senator John Boxturtle, as expected, voted no. Back when allegations of sexual harassment electrified viewers, it was the Republicans who staunchly supported a nominee for justice; now it's the GOP members whose committee votes are reliably on the other side of the question.

Senator Jeff Sessions of Alabama, the committee’s leading Republican, said just before the vote that he was compelled to oppose the nomination because in some important cases the judge’s decisions were “unacceptably short” and showed a “liberal, pro-government ideology against the individuals asserting their constitutional rights.”

Senator Charles E. Schumer, Democrat of New York, said Mr. Sessions’ questioning of the nominee had been “sharp but fair.” Still, Mr. Schumer said, he was perplexed that anyone could accuse the nominee of being a liberal activist, since an examination of her record shows her to be a moderate.

Barring some totally unforeseen event or shocking disclosure, confirmation is inevitable, since the Democrats have a 60-to-40 advantage in the Senate, counting two independents who vote with them. Moreover, several Republicans in addition to Mr. Graham have announced that they will vote for her.