Those who waited Wednesday outside the US Capitol for a chance to observe the Senate hearings seemed unconcerned with the controversy.

'I think, looking at her past record, (her background) hasn't necessarily influenced judicial decisions,' Richard Borden, 33, of Michigan said.

He said that Sotomayor's nomination would bring much-needed diversity to the Supreme Court.

Hispanic groups lobbied hard for Obama to pick a Latino nominee. The demographic is the fastest growing in the US and has gained steadily in political clout.

Many Republican politicians have refrained from strong attacks on Sotomayor out of fear of alienating the Hispanic community, and her nomination was cited as a frequent source of pride by Latinos and non-Latinos alike.

'This is very inspiring for my daughter,' said Maricela Gonzales, 34, a psychologist who was in Washington for a conference.

Her eight-year-old daughter, Nadia, was not with her, but Gonzalez wanted to be able to share her memories of the 'monumental' occasion, especially because Sotomayor was 'a hard worker, very dedicated. ...It's inspiring that she could get so far'.

College students were especially enthusiastic.

Jaysel Mendoza, 18, who grew up in the border town of Calexico, California and attends California State University, said she thought Sotomayor's likely confirmation would spur Hispanic participation in US politics.

That political activism will become increasingly important as the Hispanic population grows, Mendoza said, because in the coming decades demographers forecast that 'one out of every four Americans will be Latino'.