Contact: Bob Sturm, 703-396-6974; after 6 PM Eastern & on weekends, Bob Sturm or Cynthia Chambliss, 703-307-8176, 703-930-5148; ConservativeHQ.com

MANASSAS, Virginia, May 26 /Christian Newswire/ -- The following is a statement by Richard A. Viguerie, Chairman of ConservativeHQ.com, regarding President Obama's nomination of Sonia Sotomayor to the U.S. Supreme Court:

"This is an enormous opportunity for conservatives to define President Obama as a radical liberal in a way that Republicans have so far failed to do.

"This is the first opportunity in over 40 years for conservatives to have a national debate on the role of the judiciary. Conservatives always win ideological battles, either on the short run or the long run.

"The primary opposition to Sonia Sotomayor will come from conservatives at the national, state, and local levels.

"President Obama's selection of Sonia Sotomayor to replace liberal David Souter on the Supreme Court will unite all wings of the conservative movement in a major effort to educate the American people on the U.S. Constitution and the proper role of the judiciary."

NOTE TO EDITORS: Richard A. Viguerie pioneered political direct mail and has been called "one of the creators of the modern conservative movement" (The Nation magazine) and one of the "conservatives of the century" (The Washington Times).