The Senate Judiciary Committee gave go ahead to Solicitor General Elena Kagan's nomination to the Supreme Court in spite of strong opposition from Republican committee members, who allege that Kagan's personal and political views could influence her legal views. Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina was the only Republican to support Democrats on Kagan’s much publicized nomination to the SC.
According to reports, the committee voted 13-6 to approve Kagan’s nomination. After the committee’s approval, the nomination has been referred to the full Senate for the final approval. Experts believe that Graham’s vote would ensure smooth approval, as Democrats would muster up necessary 60 votes.
Meanwhile, Graham made it clear he preferred a more conservative nominee, but that he has a constitutional obligation to honor President Obama's choice, so long as she is qualified. "I could give you 100 reasons on why I could vote 'no.' No one spent more time trying to beat President Obama than I did, except maybe Sen. McCain," Graham said. "But I understood we lost."
Obama congratulate Kagan over receiving approval. In a statement, Obama said that the vote marked that Kagan "is a bipartisan affirmation of her strong performance during her confirmation hearings." "Elena Kagan is one of this country's leading legal minds, and has shown throughout this process that, if confirmed, she would be a fair and impartial Supreme Court Justice who understands how decisions made by the Court affect the lives of everyday Americans," the president said.
Sessions added on CBSNews.com's "Washington Unplugged" today that Kagan's career reflected that she had made some "serious judgmental flaws and errors" that are "quite significant." But Democrats were quick to respond on this. "There's no question Elena Kagan is eminently qualified" to join the SC, Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) said. Like other Democrats, Feinstein showered praise on Kagan for her intentions to reach out to others with different opinions. "I, for one, have very high hopes for the philosophy of moderation and restraint that a Justice Kagan could bring to the court," Feinstein said.
