The pattern of opening statements is general compliments from Democrats and tough jabs from Republicans. Senator Kohl talks generally about the role of the Court and the role of judges, rejecting the “umpire” metaphor thrown out by Chief Justice Roberts in his confirmation hearing.
But Orin Hatch, a Republican from Utah, turns back to the question of experience. Read More
That’s Freshman Senator Byrd with Presdient Eisenhower, which puts things in a certain perspective. Click the image to see the rest of the images. Some great ones in there.
Byrd is third from the left, front row.
No, it wasn’t a campaign pledge for Obama. But it is striking how Blackwater (now rechristined Xe) has suddenly gotten a clean bill of health from the government and is back getting top dollar contracts — a couple big ones in just the last few days.
Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy spoke broadly in his opening statement, discussing the important role that the Supreme Court plays in our society. He described Elena Kagan’s record, emphasizing her association with Justice Thurgood Marshall–the legal lion who argument Brown v. Board of Education. And he gave the conventional advice to a nominee–be forthcoming, candid, clear, etc.
But ranking Repblican Jeff Sessions set forth a long bill of particulars. Read More
To keep you up to date on all the news from the hearings we’ve opened our live-updating TPM Kagan Confirmation Hearings wire. You can see it down beneath the feature story or click here to see its own page. And our Supreme Court confirmations blogger Andrew Pincus will be joining us here in the main TPM blog with posts throughout the day as the different senators and witnesses speak.
In new TV ad for Tea Partyish Republican Rick Barber, Abraham Lincoln condemns the ‘slavery’ of taxes and welfare.
Our special Supreme Court nominations blogger Andrew Pincus gets us started with his intro post for today’s hearings.
The Kagan confirmation hearings begin at 12:30 PM. Here’s our preview of what to expect here.