The Washington Post runs this article which expresses amazement that Republican senators opposing the Sotomayor nomination aren't worried about Hispanic backlash. I believe the Post knows better.
Republican senators might worry about Hispanic backlash if any substantial number of Hispanics had voted Republican in the last two elections. Since few Hispanics voted Republican, I suspect the GOP senators are of the opinion that you cannot lose what you (a) don't have, or (b) don't have a reasonable chance of getting.
Probably the only candidate the GOP could run who would have a decent shot at the Hispanic vote is former Florida governor Jeb Bush. Jeb has an Hispanic wife and is a Roman Catholic convert.
