TPMDC Supreme Court vacancy
Roundup
TPMDC Saturday Roundup
Obama: Medicare 'Getting Better All The Time' Because Of Health Care Reform
In this weekend's YouTube address, President Obama touted a government report showing an increase in the financial solvency of Medicare, due to the recent health care reform law -- a clear effort to sell the law to older voters.
"According to this report, the steps we took this year to reform the health care system have put Medicare on a sounder financial footing. Reform has actually added at least a dozen years to the solvency of Medicare - the single longest extension in history - while helping to preserve Medicare for generations to come," said Obama. "We've made Medicare more solvent by going after waste, fraud, and abuse - not by changing seniors' guaranteed benefits. In fact, seniors are starting to see that because of health reform, their benefits are getting better all the time."
PERMALINK | COMMENTS (1) | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: 2010 elections, 2012 elections, Barack Obama, Charlie Rangel, Christina Romer, Elena Kagan, George W. Bush, Pres '12, RNC, Roundup, Supreme Court, Supreme Court vacancy
Supreme Court
Elena Kagan: I Might Not Agree With Government Every Time (VIDEO)
President Barack Obama and newest Supreme Court justice Elena Kagan
Elena Kagan said today in a reception honoring her confirmation to the nation's highest court that she's going to be free to choose the right side of the issues -- even if it means going against her former Solicitor General's office colleagues.
Kagan, scheduled to be sworn in as a Supreme Court associate justice Saturday morning, was confirmed Thursday by the Senate. Today at the White House with President Obama at her side, Kagan said she enjoyed meeting "with 83 senators -- but really who's counting?" The crowd laughed.
Topics: Barack Obama, Elena Kagan, Solicitor General, Supreme Court, Supreme Court vacancy
Supreme Court vacancy
Senate Confirms Kagan: Obama's Second SCOTUS Pick Approved
Elena Kagan
Elena Kagan was confirmed as the newest Supreme Court justice today, with senators voting 63-37 to approve President Obama's second nominee to the high court. Her confirmation will put three women on the bench for the first time ever -- a statistic that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid hailed as "real progress" on the Senate floor before his colleagues took the rare step of casting their votes from their desks.
The Democrats were nearly united in support, with only Sen. Ben Nelson (D-NE) voting "No." There were 5 Republicans who voted "Yes," breaking with the majority of their party.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS (59) | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (1)Topics: 2010 elections, Elena Kagan, Judicial nominees, Supreme Court, Supreme Court vacancy
Supreme Court vacancy
Scott Brown To Oppose Elena Kagan
Senator Scott Brown (R-MA)
Sen. Scott Brown (R-MA) will vote against Elena Kagan's confirmation to the U.S. Supreme Court this afternoon, the freshman announced in a statement. Brown said he does not believe Kagan has enough experience since she hasn't served on the bench.
Brown said Kagan lacks "both" practical courtroom experience and having served on the bench, which he said was his main concern.
Brown has been a sometimes-vote for the Democrats, and as recently as yesterday aides said they believed he would be backing Obama's nominee. As we've written, Brown has crossed party lines several times.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS (29) | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: Elena Kagan, MA-SEN, Scott Brown, Supreme Court, Supreme Court vacancy
Roundup
TPMDC Morning Roundup
Obama: 'Our Commitment In Iraq Is Changing'
President Obama will speak today at the Disabled Veterans of America Conference in Atlanta, Georgia, where he will outline a change of America's mission in Iraq. "Make no mistake: Our commitment in Iraq is changing, from a military effort led by our troops to a civilian effort led by our diplomats," Obama will say, according to pre-released excerpts.
Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama will depart from the White House at 9 a.m. ET, and depart form Andrews Air Force Base at 9:15 a.m. ET, arriving at 10:45 a.m. ET in Atlanta, Georgia. He will deliver remarks at 11:30 a.m. ET, at the Disabled Veterans of America Conference. He will deliver remarks at 1:25 p.m. ET, at a Democratic National Committee fundraising event. He will depart from Atlanta at 2:30 p.m. ET, arriving back at Andrews Air Force Base at 3:55 p.m. ET, and at the White House at 4:10 p.m. ET. He will meet at 4:15 p.m. ET with senior advisers.
Topics: 2010 elections, Barack Obama, Elena Kagan, Fox News, Fundraising, Iraq, NRA, Roundup, Supreme Court, Supreme Court vacancy, Tea Party, Tea Party Caucus
IL-SEN
Mark Kirk: I Support Elena Kagan's Nomination For SCOTUS
Rep. Mark Kirk (R-IL)
Rep. Mark Kirk (R-IL), the GOP's nominee for the Illinois Senate seat formerly held by President Obama, has now stated his support for the Supreme Court nomination of Elena Kagan, and that he would vote to confirm her if he were in the Senate right now. The move is seemingly a part of Kirk's effort to appeal to voters in the center, having worked hard to present himself as a moderate and independent-minded Republican.
"With regard to Solicitor General Kagan, I would support her nomination. Ms. Kagan appears to be modest and thoughtful not because she expected this nomination but because she is modest and thoughtful," Kirk said in a statement. "Under the Constitution, only the President can make this nomination and Solicitor General Kagan is one of the more careful nominees he could have picked."
The TPM Poll Average gives Kirk a narrow lead of 41.3%-38.9% over Democratic state Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias. Both candidates have suffered from bad publicity. In Giannoulias's case, it's the failure of his family's bank, and for Kirk it's his history of having made false statements about his military service.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS (8) | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: 2010 elections, Elena Kagan, IL-SEN, Mark Kirk, Senate '10, Supreme Court, Supreme Court vacancy
Supreme Court vacancy
Judiciary Committee Approves Elena Kagan's Supreme Court Nomination
Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan
The Senate Judiciary Committee today approved the nomination for Solicitor General Elena Kagan to serve on the Supreme Court, voting 13-6 and teeing up a floor fight over President Obama's second nominee for the high court. Her confirmation would mark the first time in history the court would include three women.
All of the committee's Democrats voted in favor of Kagan's nomination. All but one of the committee's Republicans opposed her. Sen. Lindsey Graham repeated his role from last summer's Sonia Sotomayor confirmation by being the lone Republican to back the nominee. Graham (R-SC), targeted by the tea party as a potential swing vote, said "There's plenty of reasons for a conservative to vote no, but there are plenty of reasons for a conservative to vote yes."
PERMALINK | COMMENTS (23) | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: Elena Kagan, Senate Judiciary Committee, Supreme Court, Supreme Court vacancy
Supreme Court vacancy
Lindsey Graham To Support Kagan: 'Plenty Of Reasons For A Conservative To Vote Yes'
Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan and Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC)
Sen. Lindsey Graham said this morning he will buck the majority of Republican senators to vote for Elena Kagan's nomination to the Supreme Court. Graham (R-SC) announced his intentions before the committee was to approve the nominee and send Kagan's nomination to the full Senate.
"What's in Elena Kagan's heart is that of a good person who adopts a philosophy that I disagree with," Graham said after other Republicans criticized Kagan, the solicitor general, as lacking judicial experience. "There's plenty of reasons for a conservative to vote no, but there are plenty of reasons for a conservative to vote yes."
"She is a loyal American, very patriotic," Graham said after detailing her record on military issues. He said Kagan was "smart" and "funny" and that shows "you are pretty comfortable with who you are." He added, "she's liberal." Graham also said Miguel Estrada's letter in support of Kagan hit him "hard" and factored into his decision. During her confirmation hearings, Graham and Kagan discussed Estrada's legal career and she agreed to write a letter recommending him for the high court. Today, Graham read aloud from Kagan's letter, which called Estrada a "towering intellect."
PERMALINK | COMMENTS (5) | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: Elena Kagan, Lindsey Graham, Supreme Court, Supreme Court vacancy
Roundup
TPMDC Morning Roundup
Dems To Vote On Jobless Benefits With WV's Goodwin Sworn In
Senate Democrats are set to vote on an extension of unemployment benefits today, following the swearing-in of Sen.-designate Carte Goodwin (D-WV). The Associated Press reports: "Democrats have stripped the unemployment insurance measure down to the bare essentials for Tuesday's vote, which is a do-over of a tally taken late last month. With West Virginia Democrat Carte Goodwin poised to claim the seat of the late Robert Byrd, two Republicans will be needed to vault the measure over the filibuster hurdle. Maine GOP moderates Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins are expected to provide the key votes to create a filibuster-breaking tally on a key procedural test."
Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama will receive the presidential daily briefing at 9:45 a.m. ET, and meet at 10:15 a.m. ET with senior advisers. At 11 a.m. ET, he will hold a bilateral meeting with British Prime Minister David Cameron. He will host a working lunch at 12:20 p.m. ET with Prime Minister Cameron and Vice President Biden. Obama and Cameron will hold a joint press conference at 2 p.m. ET.
Topics: 2010 elections, Arizona, Barack Obama, David Cameron, Elena Kagan, Immigration, Joe Biden, Michele Bachmann, Roundup, Supreme Court, Supreme Court vacancy, Tea Party, Tea Party Caucus
Supreme Court vacancy
Conservative Groups Push Senators To Oppose Kagan Despite Likelihood Of Confirmation
Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan
Elena Kagan's nomination to the Supreme Court is pretty close to a done deal. Tuesday morning the Senate Judiciary Committee is poised to send her to the full Senate for an up-or-down vote that is unlikely to have much in the way of political intrigue. But the political industrial complex that is conservative opposition to any Democrat's nominee still believes there's a job to be done, and the Judicial Crisis Network has released a survey showing voters in Arkansas, Wisconsin and Nebraksa oppose Kagan's nomination.
JCN operatives say this survey suggests voters will "bring their opposition to Kagan into the voting booth" this fall.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS (12) | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: Supreme Court vacancy
Supreme Court vacancy
Specter Backing Kagan: SCOTUS Nominee Clears Biggest Dem Hurdle
Sen. Arlen Specter (D-PA) and SCOTUS nominee Elena Kagan
Sen. Arlen Specter was a wild card when it came to Elena Kagan's nomination to the Supreme Court, but today said he'll support her even though the confirmation hearings this month were a "charade." It's a change of heart for Specter, who voted against her February 2009 nomination to the solicitor general post when he was still a Republican. He was the most likely Democrat to oppose her, but Specter's support clears the way for a smooth confirmation vote next week in the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Specter (D-PA) announced today that Kagan did "just enough" to win him over.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS (5) | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: Arlen Specter, Supreme Court vacancy
Health care lawsuits
Sessions Challenges Kagan Over Health Care Reform Suits (VIDEO)
The Supreme Court building, Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan, the Caduceus, and Senator Jeff Sessions (R-AL)
We saw this one coming, but Sen. Jeff Sessions finally has given the most explicit description yet of why he thinks Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan has a problem when it comes to health care reform.
Sessions (R-AL), the ranking member on the Senate Judiciary Committee (which is tasked with Kagan's nomination next Tuesday), is now suggesting that Kagan can't sit on the bench and decide on state challenges to health care reform because as solicitor general, she must have spoken with the Obama administration about the lawsuits.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS (22) | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: Elena Kagan, Health care lawsuits, Jeff Sessions, Judicial nominees, Senate Judiciary Committee, Supreme Court, Supreme Court vacancy
Supreme Court vacancy
Tea Party Targets Lindsey Graham Over Kagan
Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan and Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC)
Tea party activists are claiming victory over the one-week delay until Solicitor General Elena Kagan receives a vote in the Senate Judiciary Committee, and one group is going after Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) as the most likely GOP "Yes" vote to confirm Kagan to the Supreme Court.
"This gives us more time and we must not fail. We must keep calling Senators and tell them to stop Kagan," Tea Party Nation wrote supporters in an email obtained by TPM Organizers misspelled Graham's name, then said he's "the most likely" to support Kagan's nomination.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS (8) | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: Elena Kagan, Judicial nominees, Lindsey Graham, Senate Judiciary Committee, Supreme Court, Supreme Court vacancy, Tea Party, Tea Party Express, Tea Party Nation
Supreme Court vacancy
Kagan: I'm Not A Socialist And Can't Remember All The Dumb Memos I Wrote
Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan and Senator Tom Coburn (R-OK)
The Senate Judiciary Committee today agreed to delay the vote to approve Solicitor General Elena Kagan's nomination to the Supreme Court for another week. Republicans argued -- as expected -- they needed more time to review the answers Kagan submitted to their questions for the record after her hearings earlier this month.
TPM read through the dozens of questions and answers so you don't have to. While most of the answers were a little, well, dry, we've collected the Top 5 most noteworthy below.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS (82) | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: Elena Kagan, Jeff Sessions, Jon Kyl, Judicial nominees, Senate Judiciary Committee, Supreme Court, Supreme Court vacancy, Tom Coburn
Supreme Court vacancy
Senate's Summer Session Gets Shorter: GOP Plans To Delay Kagan Vote
Senator Jeff Sessions (R-AL)
Here we go. Despite the precious little time left for Congress to get anything done, Republicans tomorrow will ask for the committee vote on Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan to be delayed for an additional week.
Hotline on Call reported this afternoon that Republican aides plan to ask for the delay tomorrow when the Judiciary Committee arrives for the planned vote on Kagan. GOP aides haven't yet confirmed this for TPM, but Sen. Jon Kyl may have tipped his hand yesterday on "Fox News Sunday."
PERMALINK | COMMENTS (35) | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (1)Topics: Elena Kagan, Jeff Sessions, Jon Kyl, Senate Judiciary Committee, Supreme Court vacancy
Supreme Court vacancy
Guess Who's Opposing Kagan? Endangered Republican Incumbents
(Clockwise, from top left) Senators Johnny Isakson (R-GA), John McCain (R-AZ), Robert Bennett (R-UT), Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Mitch McConnell (R-KY).
Can you guess why eight Republican senators -- including one who backed her for solicitor general -- are opposing Elena Kagan's nomination to the Supreme Court? In the year of the tea party, it's perhaps not so hard to figure out. Most of them are facing, have faced or might eventually face voters who think that they aren't conservative enough.
Sens. Jim DeMint (R-SC) and James Inhofe (R-OK), both of whom announced their opposition already, were probably always going to vote against Kagan anyway. But the other senators who have made their disapproval public have, at times, been considered of a more moderate persuasion. Sens. Johnny Isakson (R-GA), John McCain (R-AZ), Robert Bennett (R-UT), Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) have something in common besides their already announced "No" votes on Kagan -- political targets on their back.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS (12) | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: Elena Kagan, Sonia Sotomayor, Supreme Court, Supreme Court vacancy
Supreme Court vacancy
Grilling Ms. Kagan -- The 7 Toughest Questioners At SCOTUS Hearings (VIDEO)
(Clockwise from top left) Senators Arlen Specter (D-PA), Tom Coburn (R-OK), Russ Feingold (D-WI) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) question Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan (center, inset).
It wasn't quite a supreme grilling, but some of the Judiciary Committee's members were surprisingly tough on Solicitor General Elena Kagan this week. Although at first the Republicans spent their time deriding Thurgood Marshall as a so-called "activist judge," by day three they took up all the hot button social issues they had largely ignored in the first round of questions.
Since Kagan's testimony is complete -- Chairman Pat Leahy told her it was "The last time you'll ever have to be in a public hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee." -- TPM rounded up the toughest questioners. They might just surprise you, since some Democrats gave Kagan as hard a time as their colleagues across the aisle.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS (10) | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: Arlen Specter, Chuck Grassley, Elena Kagan, Judicial nominees, Lindsey Graham, Russ Feingold, Senate Judiciary Committee, Supreme Court, Supreme Court vacancy, Tom Coburn
Elena Kagan
Right-Wing Youth Group Rallying Against Kagan Today
Protesters outside the US Supreme Court building.
Right-wing youth will gather in D.C. at 12:30 today to call on the Senate not to confirm Elena Kagan to the Supreme Court. The event, hosted by the conservative Young Americans for Freedom, will include speeches by leaders from the libertarian CATO Institute, the Heritage Foundation and the tea party movement.
The event, coming four days into the Kagan hearings and after the end of Kagan's public testimony before Congress, is the first organized demonstration for or against Kagan this week. So far, the hearings have been relatively controversy-free (outside the hearing room that is), with only Capitol Hill mainstay Randall Terry and his followers showing up each day to attack Kagan over abortion rights.
Today's protest also includes talk of abortion, but will focus on other conservative attacks on Kagan as well.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS (37) | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: Elena Kagan, Protests, Supreme Court, Supreme Court vacancy
Elena Kagan
Lindsey Graham Goes After Kagan On Abortion Rights (VIDEO)
Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) grills Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan
Lindsey Graham, a self-described supporter of the rights of the unborn, went after Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan today over her views on abortion rights and, more importantly, her understanding of Roe v. Wade and how medical advancements might change the historic Supreme Court decision.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS (27) | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: Abortion, Elena Kagan, Lindsey Graham, Supreme Court, Supreme Court vacancy
Supreme Court vacancy
Kagan Dodges Gay Marriage Question (VIDEO)
kagan confirmation hearing with Grassley
Social issues were noticeably absent from the first round of questions at the confirmation hearings, but it's been abortion and gay marriage hour so far in round two. A telling exchange came between Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Elena Kagan as he asked her if states can decide marriage issues.
Kagan said she didn't want to talk about something that may very well appear before the Supreme Court. "I want to be extremely careful about this question and -- and not to in any way prejudge any case that might come before me," she said.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS (12) | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: Chuck Grassley, Don't Ask, Don't Tell, Elena Kagan, Gay Marriage, Judicial nominees, Senate Judiciary Committee, Supreme Court, Supreme Court vacancy
Supreme Court vacancy
What Culture Wars? Five Hot-Button Topics Lacking At Kagan Hearings
Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan and an anti-abortion protester.
Close watchers of Elena Kagan's confirmation hearings will notice that the Citizens United campaign finance decision and gun rights issues have been among the most frequent lines of discussion. But anyone familiar with earlier epic Supreme Court confirmation battles and the culture wars that groups claim they are fighting through the nomination process are probably left feeling a bit lacking this week.
TPM has been keeping track, and it's a little surprising how few times the Judiciary Committee has talked about major issues. The first questioning just wrapped up and it's on to round two. But here's a summary of what hasn't been discussed after three days and nearly 15 hours of testimony.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS (11) | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (1)Topics: Elena Kagan, Judicial nominees, Supreme Court, Supreme Court vacancy
Elena Kagan
Last Justice Standing: Kagan's Five Funniest Moments On Tuesday
Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan
Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan is a funny lady. Facing a somewhat skeptical Republican contingent on the Senate Judiciary Committee yesterday, Kagan slayed 'em in the aisles with a nearly nonstop stream of sarcasm and wit.
There were a lot of important issues discussed yesterday, and a lot of digging into Kagan's legal philosophy. But the main takeaway from the first day of questions and answers for Kagan was the nominee's ability to knock 'em dead.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS (79) | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (2)Topics: Arlen Specter, Elena Kagan, Herb Kohl, Lindsey Graham, Orrin Hatch, Patrick Leahy, Supreme Court, Supreme Court vacancy
Roundup
TPMDC Morning Roundup
Petraeus Leaves Room For Changes In Afghan Pullout
During his testimony Tuesday before the Senate Armed Services Committee, Gen. David Petraeus left open the possibility that he could recommend President Obama delay his plans for withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan next summer. "There will be an assessment at the end of this year after which undoubtedly we'll make certain tweaks, refinements, perhaps some significant changes," said Petraeus.
Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama will receive the presidential daily briefing at 9:30 a.m. ET, and meet with senior advisers at 10 a.m. ET. He will depart the White House at 11 a.m. ET, and depart form Andrews Air Force Base at 11:15 a.m. ET, arriving at 1 p.m. ET in Racine, Wisconsin. He will hold a town hall meeting on the economy at 2:15 p.m. ET. He will depart from Racine at 4:15 p.m. ET, arriving at Andrews Air Force Base at 5:55 p.m. ET, and back at the White House at 6:10 p.m. ET.
Topics: 2010 elections, Afghanistan, Barack Obama, DCCC, Eric Cantor, Joe Biden, John Roberts, Roundup, Supreme Court, Supreme Court vacancy
Elena Kagan
Lindsay Graham Asks Elena Kagan If He Sucks (VIDEO)
Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC)
Today's Senate does not suck as much as the Senate of old. That's something on which Sen. Lindsay Graham (R-SC) and Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan can apparently agree.
In one of the many lighter moments in today's confirmation hearings, Graham asked Kagan what she thought of the hearings so far, making reference to her widely-cited 1995 book review calling the modern confirmation process "a vapid and hollow charade."
PERMALINK | COMMENTS (26) | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: Elena Kagan, Lindsey Graham, Supreme Court, Supreme Court vacancy
Elena Kagan
Grassley Asks Kagan: Didn't God Give Us The Right To Bear Arms? (VIDEO)
Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA)
Usually, in a confirmation hearing for a Supreme Court nominee, the discussion of the Second Amendment comes down to a debate over whether the amendment guarantees an individual or collective the right to bear arms. One might think the matter was settled in Congress since Supreme Court rulings in Heller and McDonald leave the individual right to bear arms, as Elena Kagan said earlier today, "settled law." However, having a settled constitutional question left Sen. Charles Grassley (R-IA) with an opening to question whether the right to bear arms come from more than just the constitution. He wanted to know, in fact, whether it came straight from God.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS (64) | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: Chuck Grassley, Elena Kagan, Gun Control, Gun rights, Supreme Court, Supreme Court vacancy
Elena Kagan
Jeff Sessions Uses Camera Time To Call Elena Kagan A Liar
Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan and Senator Jeff Sessions (R-AL)
Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL) spent the second morning of Elena Kagan's Supreme Court nomination hearing showcasing all the ways a person can call someone else a liar without actually saying the word. It was a tour de force in Washington-speak, but it also showed Sessions' -- the top Republican on the Judiciary Committee -- Wilsonian plan of attack when it comes to Kagan: she lies.
Sessions' claims center around Kagan's time as Dean of Harvard law school and the access military recruiters had on campus during part of her time there. Republicans allege that Kagan denied those recruiters any access to the law school campus or her students. Kagan has said -- and said again today -- that she was balancing Harvard's strict anti-discrimination policy and the law regarding recruiting access as it was understood at the time.
Session's response, essentially? You're a liar.
Topics: Elena Kagan, Jeff Sessions, Military, Supreme Court, Supreme Court vacancy
Supreme Court vacancy
Kagan Sounds More And More Like Safe Vote For Gun Rights
Handguns and Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan
The first questions about gun rights during Elena Kagan's confirmation hearings today came not from Republicans -- who always attempt to make the Second Amendment an issue -- but from Democrats. Kagan quickly ended the line of inquiry by declaring citizens' rights to own guns as "settled law."
PERMALINK | COMMENTS (32) | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: Dianne Feinstein, Elena Kagan, Gun rights, Judicial nominees, Patrick Leahy, Russ Feingold, Senate Judiciary Committee, Supreme Court, Supreme Court vacancy
Barack Obama
TPMDC Morning Roundup
Byrd's Death Complicates Democrats' Strategy
The New York Times reports: "The death of Senator Robert C. Byrd of West Virginia threw into doubt the ability of Democrats to win approval this week of a financial regulation bill and underscored how the smallest changes in the size and composition of their Congressional majority have complicated their efforts to pass ambitious legislation over near-unanimous Republican opposition...'We are down a vote,' said Senator Richard J. Durbin of Illinois, the No. 2 Democrat. 'We have got some work to do.'"
Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama will receive the presidential daily briefing at 9:30 a.m. ET, and the economic daily briefing at 10 a.m. ET. He will meet at 10:50 a.m. ET with a bipartisan group of Senators, to discuss passing comprehensive energy and climate legislation this year. He will receive a briefing at 12 p.m. ET on the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill. He will have a working lunch at 1:05 p.m. ET with King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, and meet in the Oval Office with King Abdullah at 2:10 p.m. ET. He will meet at 3:40 p.m. ET with members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.
Topics: Afghanistan, Arizona, Barack Obama, Congressional Hispanic Caucus, David Petraeus, Elena Kagan, Immigration, Joe Biden, Roundup, Supreme Court, Supreme Court vacancy
Randall Terry
Randall Terry Asks: Where Have All The Protests Gone?
Conservative activist Randall Terry.
Infamous anti-abortion advocate Randall Terry says he's the only conservative brave enough to protest the Elena Kagan confirmation hearings.
Terry was essentially alone today when he showed up on Capitol Hill to call for the Senate not to confirm Kagan, whom he called the "most maniac pro-death nominee to be named to the Supreme Court ever." Other than his small band of baby-doll-wielding protesters, there were few, if any, demonstrations for or against Kagan outside the first day of Senate confirmation hearings.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS (23) | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (2)Topics: Elena Kagan, Randall Terry, Supreme Court, Supreme Court vacancy
Supreme Court vacancy
Coburn Asks Kagan To 'Set A New Standard': Answer Questions! (VIDEO)
Coburn at Kagan confirmation hearing
Sen. Tom Coburn didn't mince words today when he acknowledged that Supreme Court confirmation hearings are often newsless snoozefests. Coburn (R-OK) said today during the Senate Judiciary Committee's opening session for Elena Kagan's Supreme Court nomination that the hearings can be a disservice to the nation since nominees just "dance" around their beliefs.
Coburn framed his request to Kagan that she "set a new standard where you really answer questions" around an appeal to her patriotism and a desire to change what many say is a broken process. "Why should we have this dance if we're not going to find out real answers about real issues about what you really believe?"
PERMALINK | COMMENTS (13) | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: Elena Kagan, Judicial nominees, Lindsey Graham, Senate Judiciary Committee, Supreme Court, Supreme Court vacancy, Tom Coburn
Supreme Court vacancy
Thurgood Marshall Takes Center Stage At Kagan Hearings (VIDEO)
The late Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall.
Looks like Senate Judiciary Republicans have at least one unified talking point today: Justice Thurgood Marshall, the first African-American to ever serve on the Supreme Court, was an "activist judge." As Elena Kagan kept on her listening face, multiple senators slammed both Marshall's judicial philosophy and her service as his clerk in the late 1980s.
Ranking member Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL) criticized Kagan for having "associated herself with well-known activist judges who have used their power to redefine the meaning of our constitution and have the result of advancing that judge's preferred social policies," citing Marshall as his son, Thurgood Marshall Jr., sat in the audience of the Judiciary Committee hearings.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS (191) | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (2)Topics: 2010 elections, Elena Kagan, Jeff Sessions, John Cornyn, Jon Kyl, Orrin Hatch, Sonia Sotomayor, Supreme Court, Supreme Court vacancy, Thurgood Marshall
Elena Kagan
Leahy: Conservative Judges Are The True Activists On Today's Court (VIDEO)
leahy, kagan confirmation hearing
In his opening statement in Elena Kagan's confirmation hearing today, Sen. Pat Leahy (D-VT) took a moment to reflect on who he believes are the real activist judges on the Supreme Court. And his determination was, as one would expect, rather different than what Republicans would have Americans believe.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS (11) | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (1)Topics: Elena Kagan, Judicial nominees, Patrick Leahy, Senate Democrats, Senate Judiciary Committee, Supreme Court, Supreme Court vacancy
Supreme Court vacancy
Kagan Will Promise To Keep An 'Open Mind'
Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan.
Solicitor General Elena Kagan today will introduce herself to the Senate Judiciary Committee by promising she would adhere to the law, respect the "choices made by the American people," and keep an "open mind" while serving on the nation's highest bench. Kagan will talk about deference to politicians and the democratic process.
"The Supreme Court, of course, has the responsibility of ensuring that our government never oversteps its proper bounds or violates the rights of individuals. But the Court must also recognize the limits on itself and respect the choices made by the American people," she will say today, according to excerpts distributed by the White House. Kagan planned to talk about the phrase engraved on the Supreme Court building just down the street from the hearing room: "Equal Justice Under Law."
PERMALINK | COMMENTS (6) | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: Elena Kagan, Senate Judiciary Committee, Supreme Court, Supreme Court vacancy
Supreme Court vacancy
Supreme Snooze Or Surprising Sass? TPM's Guide To The Kagan Hearings
Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan
Solicitor General Elena Kagan this afternoon will sit down before nineteen senators, dozens of snapping cameras and the entire political world, prepared to dodge questions rather than reveal any personal leanings and charm the Senate Judiciary Committee with her knowledge of Supreme Court precedent. Senators will talk (and talk), make political points about their own pet issues and milk their moments on a national stage.
There will be plenty of discussion of precedents, but if precedent is any indicator, Kagan's confirmation hearings will either be supremely boring or extremely interesting. We handicap the possibility of either, after the jump.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS (12) | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: Barack Obama, Elena Kagan, Jeff Sessions, Judicial nominees, Patrick Leahy, Senate Judiciary Committee, Supreme Court, Supreme Court vacancy
Roundup
TPMDC Morning Roundup
Byrd Was 'West Virginian of the 20th Century'
The Associated Press looks at the impact that Sen. Robert Byrd (D-WV), who passed away last night, had on his home state: "Outside critics like Citizens Against Government Waste crowned him the 'King of Pork,' dismissing the billions of federal dollars he sent to West Virginia as worthless 'Byrd Droppings.' But back in Charleston, a grateful legislature crafted a fitting description for the Democrat who dedicated his life to representing his state's people in Washington: They had his likeness cast in larger-than-life bronze for the first and only statue in the history of the state Capitol, and mounted it on a pedestal declaring him 'West Virginian of the 20th Century.'"
Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama will receive his presidential daily briefing at 11 a.m. ET. He will receive his economic daily briefing at 2 p.m. ET, and will meet with senior advisers at 2:30 p.m. ET.
Topics: Barack Obama, Elena Kagan, Joe Barton, Joe Biden, Robert Byrd, Roundup, Supreme Court, Supreme Court vacancy
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TPMDC Sunday Roundup
Sessions: 'It's Conceivable A Filibuster Might Occur' Against Kagan
Appearing on Face The Nation, Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL) did not rule out a filibuster against the Supreme Court nomination of Elena Kagan. "I think the first thing we need to decide is, is she committed to the rule of law even if she may not like the law?" Sessions said. "Will she as a judge subordinate herself to the Constitution and keep her political views at bay? And then secondly, if things come out to indicate she's so far outside the mainstream, it's conceivable a filibuster might occur."
Leahy: If Obama Had Nominated Moses, Some Would Say He Hasn't Produced A Birth Certificate
Appearing on Face The Nation, Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT) joked that Republican lines have already been drawn against any Supreme Court nomination by President Obama: "It's reached the point that if [Obama] had nominated Moses the law giver, some would have said we can't have him because among other things he hasn't produced a birth certificate."
Topics: 2010 elections, Afghanistan, David Petraeus, Dianne Feinstein, Elena Kagan, Jack Reed, Jeff Sessions, John McCain, Leon Panetta, Lindsey Graham, Patrick Leahy, Roundup, Stanley McChrystal, Sunday Shows, Supreme Court, Supreme Court vacancy
Roundup
TPMDC Saturday Roundup
Obama: 'We Now Stand on The Verge Of Victory' On Financial Reform
In this weekend's YouTube address, President Obama promoted the financial reform package that has been making its way through Congress.
"Getting this far on Wall Street reform hasn't been easy. There are those who've fought tooth and nail to preserve the status quo. In recent months, they've spent millions of dollars and hired an army of lobbyists to stop reform dead in its tracks," said Obama. "But because we refused to back down, and kept fighting, we now stand on the verge of victory. And I urge Congress to take us over the finish line, and send me a reform bill I can sign into law, so we can empower our people with consumer protections, and help prevent a financial crisis like this from ever happening again."
PERMALINK | COMMENTS (12) | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: 2010 elections, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Barack Obama, Budget, CA-GOV, Elena Kagan, Financial Reform, G20 Summit, G8 Summit, Paul Ryan, Roundup, Sarah Palin, Supreme Court, Supreme Court vacancy
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TPMDC Morning Roundup
McCain Calls For 'New Team' In Af-Pak Embassies
Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) is calling upon President Obama to replace more top American officials in the Afghanistan-Pakistan region, following the resignation of Gen. Stanley McChrystal. "It's completely understandable why the president made the decision that he did, based on the civilian-military relationship that goes a long way back," the 2008 Republican presidential nominee said on ABC's Good Morning America, also adding: "I also point out to the president, with my strong support of Petraeus, we also need a new team over there as well -- perhaps at the embassy and other areas."
Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama will receive the presidential daily briefing at 9:30 a.m. ET. He will hold a bilateral meeting at 10:30 a.m. ET with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, and an expanded meeting with Medvedev and Vice President Biden at 11 a.m. ET. Obama and Medvedev will hold a joint press conference at 1:45 p.m. ET. Obama and Medvedev will attend the U.S.-Russia Business Summit at 3:05 p.m. ET.
Topics: 2010 elections, Afghanistan, Barack Obama, Blue Dogs, Budget, Campaign Finance, Citizens United, Club For Growth, Elena Kagan, Joe Biden, Roundup, Supreme Court, Supreme Court vacancy, Walt Minnick
Roundup
TPMDC Morning Roundup
Obama Meeting With McChrystal
President Obama is meeting with Gen. Stanley McChrystal, following the publication in Rolling Stone of derisive remarks that McChrystal and his top aides had made about the Obama administration. The Associated Press reports: "Two military officials said McChrystal was prepared to submit his resignation. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly. Obama was set to make an announcement on McChrystal's future soon after their face-to-face."
Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama will meet with his national security team on Afghanistan and Pakistan at 11:35 a.m. ET. He will have lunch at 1:10 p.m. ET with a group of Senators. At 2:50 p.m. ET, the President and First Lady will attend a President's Council on Physical Fitness and Nutrition Event. Obama and Vice President Biden will meet at 4:30 p.m. ET with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Obama will meet at 5 p.m. ET with senior advisers.
Topics: 2010 elections, Arizona, Barack Obama, Elena Kagan, Harry Mitchell, Immigration, Jeb Bush, Joe Biden, Roundup, Stanley McChrystal, Supreme Court, Supreme Court vacancy
Roundup
TPMDC Morning Roundup
Today: Key Primaries
Voters are headed to the polls in primaries today in North Carolina, Mississippi, South Carolina and Utah. The polls will close in South Carolina at 7 p.m. ET, in North Carolina at 7:30 p.m. ET, in Mississippi at 8 p.m. ET, and in Utah at 10 p.m. ET.
Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama and Vice President Biden will received the presidential daily briefing at 9:30 a.m. ET. Obama will attend an 11:15 a.m. ET meeting with health insurers and state insurance commissioners, and deliver remarks at 11:45 p.m. ET on the ongoing effort to implement the new health care reform law. Obama and Biden will have lunch at 12:20 p.m. ET. Obama will meet with senior advisers at 1:35 p.m. ET. He will meet with Secretary of Defense Robert Gates at 3:15 p.m. ET. Obama will hold a Cabinet Meeting at 4 p.m. Et. Obama and Biden will attend a 6 p.m. ET LGBT Pride Month event, where Obama will deliver remarks.
Topics: 2010 elections, Arizona, Barack Obama, Elena Kagan, Health Care, Jeff Sessions, Joe Biden, Mitch McConnell, Roundup, Steny Hoyer, Supreme Court, Supreme Court vacancy
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