Democrats have started to step up their defense of the nominee. Senator Feinstein went through Kagan’s resume, and specifically expressed support for putting a non-judge on the Court. And Senators Feingold and Schumer have weighed in as well.
The Democrats’ themes revolve around Kagan’s broad experience, in academia and particularly as Solicitor General. They say that her service in the White House is a strength.
In a particularly striking passage, Senator Durbin implicitly criticized the Senators critical of the nominee because of her association with Justice Marshall. Describing Marshall’s career as a civil rights litigator, Solicitor General, and Supreme Court Justice, Durbin said that he very much hoped that Kagan would continue Justice Marshall’s work.
