June 3 (Bloomberg) -- Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich took back his description of U.S. Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor as a “racist,” though he continued to criticize a 2001 speech by her as a “betrayal” of fundamental principles.

Characterizing Sotomayor as a racist was “perhaps too strong and direct,” Gingrich said on his Web site today. “The word ‘racist’ should not have been applied to Judge Sotomayor as a person,” the Georgia Republican said.

Sotomayor, 54, spending a second day meeting with senators who will vote on her confirmation, declined to comment on Gingrich’s remarks. The controversy surrounding her is over a 2001 speech in which she suggested a “wise Latina woman” would reach “better” rulings than white males.

After President Barack Obama nominated the federal appeals court judge to the Supreme Court on May 26, Gingrich posted a blog saying, “A white man racist nominee would be forced to withdraw. Latina woman racist should also withdraw.”

Obama said last week that “I’m sure she would have restated” her 2001 remarks if given the chance and that she was saying that her life experiences would help her understand other people’s struggles.

Republican lawmakers have sought to distance themselves from the “racist” claims of Gingrich and conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh.

Words ‘Hit Hard’

South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham, a Republican on the Judiciary Committee that will review the nomination, today said Gingrich’s comments were ill-advised.

“Words like that really do hit hard,” Graham told reporters after meeting with Sotomayor. “She doesn’t deserve that.”

Graham said his vote depends on how the Senate is weighing Supreme Court candidates, saying Obama’s votes against Justices Samuel Alito and John Roberts show a different standard than one used for previous judges. The Senate confirmed Justice Antonin Scalia 98-0 and Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg 96-3; Alito won his place on the court by a 58-42 vote. Roberts was confirmed 78-22.

“He’s asking me to do something he couldn’t do himself,” Graham said today of Obama. Still, Sotomayor “has a chance of getting my vote” under a standard that only requires proof of qualifications, he said.

‘Fundamental Principle’

Today, Gingrich said Sotomayor’s words in the 2001 speech “reveal a betrayal of a fundamental principle of the American system -- that everyone is equal before the law.”

Sotomayor also met today with Maryland Senator Barbara Mikulski, a Democrat, who welcomed the judge into her office and compared their experiences growing up.

“We have so much in common,” Mikulski said to Sotomayor, remarking that they went to the same types of schools with nuns and both loved Nancy Drew novels.

Sotomayor said a local librarian gave her the first Nancy Drew mystery she read and she eventually filled two shelves with them.

In declining to comment to reporters on Gingrich, Mikulski said, “We’re not going to have loose lips sink this ship.”

Sotomayor began visiting senators yesterday, and Democrats said Republican accusations of racism against her raise a need to hold her confirmation hearings soon.

Democrats are calling for hearings next month and confirmation before the Senate takes its August recess. Republicans want to hold off until September. The schedule for the hearings hasn’t been announced.

To contact the reporter on this story: Kristin Jensen in Washington at kjensen@bloomberg.net

Last Updated: June 3, 2009 13:45 EDT