If the question if framed properly (and yours are pretty good), the listener will know the answer as soon as they hear the question. Sure, she’ll try to wiggle but it’s pretty hard given how specific she was and the laugher at her policy comment. Actually playing that comment, rather than reading it, would be ideal because it’s crystal clear what she meant to say.
When Strom Thurmond ran for president, we voted for him. We’re proud of it. And if the rest of the country had followed our lead, we wouldn't have had all these problems over the years, either.
Then Jesse Jackson called Lott "racist." After that, Lott had to resign as senate R leader, even after he apologized. Was that a dumb thing to say? No more than Sotomayor's remarks, I would argue, but Sotomayor is not going to withdraw, at least not for the remarks we are discussing.
I would say it's likely that those who don't find Sotomayor's comments offensive are not going to vote for conservatives.
Still, perhaps we should accept the double standard as a political reality. It's hard to forsee whether she will always be a plus for the left.