Headed into the hearing, Sotomayor has met with 88 senators, including every Democrat but ailing Sens. Robert Byrd, D-W.Va., and Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., and Sen.-elect Al Franken, D-Minn., and all but nine Republicans.

The weeks of courtesy visits are more than photo opportunities, White House and Senate aides currently and previously involved in the process said. The meetings help prepare the nominee for the questions they will face in their confirmation hearing, the aides said.

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