• RealClearPolitics.com has the transcript of Powell's interview with John King on CNN's "State of the Union" on Sunday.

• AP reports that Powell "noted that Obama had a significant advantage with Hispanics and African-Americans in the November elections. He criticized Republicans who are not elected to office and 'immediately shout racism' against Sotomayor."

• AP reported over the weekend that the "civil rights group on whose board" Sotomayor "served filed racial bias lawsuits over employment examinations that resemble" those at the heart of Ricci v. DeStefano. "The case unfolded as Sotomayor chaired the organization's board of directors' litigation committee, although there is no evidence that she had any role in the group's decision to participate in the lawsuits, or in formulating or drafting any of their legal arguments."

Commentary

• "A week before her Senate hearings, Republicans are floundering in their efforts to trip up" Sotomayor, "unable to find an effective message about why she's not fit to serve," AP writes in an analysis.