Laura Bush (upi)
WASHINGTON – President Obama’s pick of Elena Kagan for the Supreme Court got a surprise stamp of approval today from former First Lady Laura Bush.
“I think it’s great. I’m really glad that there will be three [women on the Supreme Court] if she is confirmed,” Bush said of Kagan, who faces tough Republican opposition to her replacing retiring Justice John Paul Stevens.
“I like to have women on the Supreme Court,” Bush said on “Fox News Sunday.”
“I just like women to be represented in all parts of American political and civic life.” Bush’s husband, former President George W. Bush, never elevated a woman to the Supreme Court.
After Justice Sandra Day-O’Connor announced her retirement in 2005, President Bush tapped Judge John Roberts as her replacement. But Roberts was ultimately confirmed to replace deceased Chief Justice William Rehnquist.
Bush then picked White House Counsel Harriet Miers to replace Day-O’Connor, but she withdrew her nomination because of fierce opposition from both parties. His next male pick, Judge Samuel Alito, won confirmation in January 2006.
Unlike the former first lady, Senate Republicans are sharpening their knives for upcoming confirmation hearings on Kagan, a former dean of Harvard Law School.
They are skeptical of Kagan’s aggressive support for gay rights and her lack of judicial experience, having never served on the bench.
The challenges to the Kagan nomination are not yet strong enough to prompt a filibuster, said Senate Minority Whip Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.), who is a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee that will hold the hearings.
“The filibuster should be relegated to the extreme circumstances, and I don’t think Elena Kagan represents that,” he said on CBS’ “Face the Nation.” Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), a member of the committee, said that coming from outside the “rarified ivory tower” of the courts was a plus for Kagan.
“It’s my hope and belief that this practical person will help bring the court down to earth a little bit,” Schumer said on NBC’s “Meet the Press.” He described Kagan as “both brilliant and practical,” and said she will “balance” the often closely-divided Supreme Court.
“I like balance. I don’t like judges too far right, but I don’t like them too far left,” Schumer said. “They tend to impose their own views and ideology.”