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.
Kagan also praised the Solicitor General’s office. “It’s the best law office in the country and I’ve learned every day from its members,” she said. “Now, once I put on that robe, I’m only going to vote with them when they have the better of the argument, which, let’s be frank, is not in every case.”
The crack also earned laughs from the friendly crowd, but was interesting when it comes to some of the cases Kagan may be faced with deciding in the coming court term. Among them are lawsuits challenging health care reform, Arizona’s immigration law and gay marriage.
