Obama to nominate Elena Kagan to the Supreme Court

It has been widely speculated that Obama was going to pick Elena Kagan to replace Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens. It is thought that she is a safe pick because she was confirmed to Solicitor General by a 61-31 Senate vote. 

MSNBC: WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama will nominate U.S. Solicitor General Elena Kagan to serve as an associate justice on the U.S. Supreme Court, NBC News’ Pete Williams reported late Sunday night.

Kagan, 50, served as the Dean of Harvard Law School from 2003 to 2009. Obama nominated her to serve in her current post as solicitor general early in 2009, and she won Senate confirmation by a vote of 61-31. She is the first woman to serve as solicitor general of the United States. 

Kagan is not without issues. Both the left and the right will take note that her resume is rather thin for the Supreme Court. The right will take note of her opposition to on campus military recruiting because of Don't Ask Don't Tell. The left will certainly take issue with her defense of expanded presidential powers during the Iraq war. To get more detail on Elena Kagan check out Michelle Malkin. If you are wondering about the Elena Kagan gay or Elena Kagan lesbian rumors check out The Other McCain, he has the Google bomb on that issue.

There is also another issue bubbling up on the left. It seems to hint at Kagan being a racist for not having enough diversity in her hiring practices. Depending upon how much the left hates her, this charge may become more explicit. Time will tell.

Tammy Bruce has linked to a series of Cspan videos with Elena Kagan. They ought to give you some idea of who she is and where she is coming from.

Via: Memeorandum

Via: MSNBC News

Via: Legal Insurrection

Via: Michelle Malkin

Via: The Other McCain

Via: Tammy Bruce

Quick thoughts on replacing Justice John Paul Stevens

Due to my crazy schedule and so many other news stories, I allowed the whole Justice Stevens topic to slip past me.  Oops, my bad!

Even though Gerald Ford appointed Stevens, he turned out to be a liberal justice. That being said, Obama picking his replacement will have no impact on the makeup of the court. Republicans are talking about filibustering Obama’s nominee, if that nominee turns out to be radical.

Personally, I think they should save the fireworks just in case one of the conservative justices must be replaced during Obama’s term. What Republicans should do in this instance is to use the nomination process to raise questions about the Constitution, especially where state’s rights are concern. With 18 states now looking to sue over ObamaCare, state’s rights are going to be a major issue. Furthermore such a discussion would serve as a Constitutional refresher course for the public at large.

Obama’s short list for justices once again looks like he is shopping for a female justice. There is even mention of Janet Napolitano as a justice.  That would be a disaster. After Janet’s “the system worked” comment, Republicans could easily question her competence and I think much of the public would agree.

Today the latest name being mentioned is former Georgia Supreme Court chief justice Leah Ward Sears, a black woman. She is said to be a friend of Justice Clarence Thomas and was appointed by Mell Zeller. Make no mistake she is a lefty, but she doesn't appear to be way out there in lefty land.

Via: Memeorandum

Via: The Washington Post

Via: Political Punch