WASHINGTON — Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor declined today to renounce her comment that a "wise Latina" woman might make a better ruling than a white man without the same life experiences.

But at the same time, Sotomayor, 55, said she regretted her remark in a speech several years ago has been "misunderstood" by some and has stirred controversy.

She was answering questions at her confirmation hearing from Republican Sen. John Cornyn of Texas, a former state judge and attorney general who said he was troubled by "two pictures" he had of the nominee — one from her speeches and writings and another, more moderate snapshot, from her bench rulings.

Sotomayor told Cornyn "my words failed" because they have been taken by many to suggest she believes she'd be a superior judge because of her personal profile and life experiences.

But she also said "I stand by the words."

Sotomayor said there could be no doubt "from the intention that my words have gotten and the manner in which it has been understood by some people, that my words failed. They didn't work."

She suggested the "wise Latina" reference has been blown out of proportion, saying they have been cited outside the broader context of her talk, which was to encourage young people to aspire to higher accomplishments.

By The Associated Press