Elena Kagan: Obama's first-rate pick for the highest court

[babylonsister]

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/editorials/2011831856_edit11kagan.html

Elena Kagan: Obama's first-rate pick for the highest court
President Obama's choice for the U.S. Supreme Court brings enormous intellect, training, talent and legal experience to the court.


PRESIDENT Barack Obama's nomination of Solicitor General Elena Kagan to serve on the United States Supreme Court is a first-rate choice.

Her education, training, legal experience and temperament make her well suited to review and pass judgment on the huge scope of cases that come before the highest court.

snip//

The conundrum for her opponents is finding fault that has any substance or merit. Liberals and conservatives alike parse through her career and find a pattern of work and leadership that is alarmingly difficult to stereotype. Thoughtful and middle-of-the road. Oh my.

snip//

In opposing her nomination, her critics must explain why brains, training, achievement and merit are inadequate benchmarks for outstanding future performance.

The highest court makes decisions that shape American life across generations. Kagan is a highly capable choice for that honor and responsibility.

[tavalon]

1. Yeah, when all they can come up with is "she might be gay",

and in doing that, fail to realize that the majority of us don't care, I became sure she would pass her confirmation.

Is she perfect? No. Obama is a middle of the roader - anyone he picks is going to be similar but at least he likes to pick the competent ones, unlike Heckuvajob Bush.

[zipplewrath]

2. Exactly the issue

The conundrum for her opponents is finding fault that has any substance or merit. Liberals and conservatives alike parse through her career and find a pattern of work and leadership that is alarmingly difficult to stereotype. Thoughtful and middle-of-the road. Oh my.

This is exactly the problem. "Middle of the road" just allows the court to drift further right.

Additionally, it is a bit strange to see strong support based upon her record, in combination with the admission that there is precious little to go on. For all the reasons it is hard to build a strong case against her, is the same reason it is hard to build a strong case to support her. No one really knows what she will advocate.