Newsmaker
Elena Kagan chosen by Obama for Supreme Court
(Agencies)
Updated: 2010-05-10 23:00
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 US President Barack Obama announces Solicitor General Elena Kagan (R) as his nominee for Supreme Court Justice in the East Room at the White House in Washington, May 10, 2010. [Agencies] |
WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama on Monday nominated Solicitor General Elena Kagan to the US Supreme Court, declaring she would demonstrate the same independence, integrity and passion for the law exhibited by retiring Justice John Paul Stevens.
If confirmed by the Senate, Kagan would become the third woman on the high court. Obama introduced her in the White House East Room as "my friend."
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Kagan, 50, said she was "honored and humbled by this nomination."
"I look forward to working with the Senate and thank you, Mr. President, for this honor of a lifetime."
Obama cited what he called Kagan's "openness to a broad array of viewpoints" and her "fairmindedness."
In a statement issued before Kagan had completed her remarks, the lawmaker who will preside over her confirmation hearing, Democratic Sen. Patrick Leahy, said, the Senate should confirm Ms. Kagan by early September, a month before the court returns from recess.
"Our constituents deserve a civil and thoughtful debate on this nomination," followed by an yes or no vote, he said.
The Republican leader, Sen. Mitch McConnell said his party would make sure there was a "thorough process, not a rush to judgment" on the nomination.
"Judges must not be a rubber-stamp for any administration. Judges must not walk into court with a preconceived idea of who should win," he said, adding that Republicans would have a vigorous debate on that principle.
