Friday, May 07, 2010

He Who Would Speak the Truth Should Keep One Foot in the Stirrup

Elena Kagan: Supreme Court Confirmation Hearings 'Vapid and Hollow Charade'
If potential Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan ever makes it to the Senate Judiciary Committee for confirmation hearings, she might have to explain comments she once made that modern day confirmation hearings have become a "vapid and hollow charade."

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In 1995, after spending time as a staff lawyer on the judiciary committee during the nomination of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Kagan made clear her frustrations: "When the Senate ceases to engage nominees in meaningful discussion of legal issues, the confirmation process takes on an air of vacuity and farce."


I confess, I really haven't been following the guesswork and crystal-ball gazing over who Stephens' replacement is going to be on the SCOTUS. I rarely do, actually, until there's a nominee.

But this Kagan lady just made my short list of who I'd like to see get the nod. The fact is, the confirmation process has indeed become a farce, a shameful exhibition of grandstanding and bloviation by Senators on both sides of the aisle, a tale told by a hundred idiots, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.

Of course, making this truthful observation has probably doomed Kagan's chances, more's the pity.

5 comments:

David Terrenoire said...

I couldn't agree more.

Bill Gawne said...

I think she's on everyone's short list Dusty. She's been a very good Solicitor General in her short tenure, and she obviously knows how to get through Senate confirmation since she's already done it.

Jim Hetley said...

"Vacuity and farce" just about covers it. Which is, as you point out, unforgivable.

Hope she gets the job.

JD Rhoades said...

Bill, I know she's been through the confirmation process once. But so had Sonia Sotomayor.

This is the SCOTUS, and the increased media attention cannot help but bring out the worst in our Senators.

Indiana Joe said...

Well, she at least has the nomination.