Elena Kagan Is a Strategic, Not Overtly Political Supreme Court Pick

President Barack Obama meets with Solicitor General Elena Kagan in the Oval Office last month.

/ White House Photo by Pete Souza

President Obama's decision to tap Elena Kagan for the Supreme Court, as we reported last night, makes clear he was thinking strategically about the Court this time around.

Unlike his selection last year of Sonia Sotomayor, Kagan is not an overtly political pick -- she will be something of a fight with Republicans, she doesn't appease the liberal base, she's not a Washington outsider and she doesn't bring ethnic or racial diversity.

What she brings is intellectual heft and a keen analytical mind, with a proven track record of consensus building. This is a pick that shows the president is thinking long-term. At 50, Kagan could serve on the Court for a generation and become one of its most effective voices on the Left.

She was the frontrunner from the beginning, and this nomination was hers to lose. Bob Schieffer reminded me this morning that I made two predictions on the very first Face the Nation of 2010. One was that Mr. Obama would tap Kagan for the Supreme Court this year. The second was that the Alabama Crimson Tide would win the national championship.

The Tide delivered with a crushing defeat over Texas. And now Kagan will walk out with the president soon in the East Room, where she'll be introduced to the nation as his choice to replace retiring Justice John Paul Stevens.

I'll go ahead and predict a 14th national championship for the Tide in 2011. As for the Court, my bet is Mr. Obama will have to wait another couple years before he gets his third nomination.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg may relish the opportunity to serve with two women --- and doesn't seem like she is in any hurry to retire.

More Coverage of Kagan's Nomination:

Obama to Nominate Elena Kagan to Supreme Court
Early Conservative Reaction to Kagan Nomination
Jan Crawford, Bob Schieffer on Why Obama Nominated Kagan
Schieffer Sees Bitter, Vicious Fight Over Kagan
Eliot Spitzer: Kagan Would "Get the Fifth Vote"
Commentary: Elena Kagan's Goldman Sachs "Connection"
Kagan Had Rapid Ascent to High Court Nomination

[MNBantisbanned]

She doesn't appease the liberals. Wow I am a liberal so I am not for her. She is a Jew so you are right about the diversity thing as they will now control 33% of the Supreme Court with the Catholics controlling 22%; Protestants now control 0%. I suppose she is some kind of crazy Zionist as well. She will be right up there with Prez Obama I am sure in not appeasing the liberals. Why are we supporting her again? Obama sure has had some bad luck hasn't he. He comes out for drilling--now drilling is unpopular. He had a mandate from the people to fix health care--now health care is unpopular. Bailouts--unpopular. War--unpopular. Transparency in govt--where is it? Moves he has made against civil rights--unpopular by everyone but the center. His appointments have been disappointing--I don't expect this one to be any different. Eventually he is gonna be so popular he won't be around any more. This is from a democrat swing voter looking for a home.

[KeithDrippingSprings]

Kagan, keeping the Homosexual vote coming for the Democrats.

[jclark7613]

You are very ignorant and low class. Your parents must be very proud. Keep up the hate and ignorance I sure hope you are not a parent.

[random_radar]

I knew she would be confirmed as soon as I heard she is connected with Goldman Sachs. Major shareholders of a corporations get to have their directors on the board. As owner and operator of the U.S. government, Goldman Sachs get to have their own justice on the Supreme Court.

Kagan is a strategic pick for anyone who is president, democrat or republican, because she is in favor of increasing presidential power. Who cares what her politics are so long as she promotes the imperial presidency and ultimate despotism?

Don't get me wrong--I think she is talented and very intelligent and will do great on the Supreme Court for the people who put her there.

[kickingant]

Just curious as to what makes you question her morals? Can you provide any examples of questionable behavior or opinions? Have you ever met her? Maybe seen her be rude to a waiter or something?

[signseeker1717]

"What she brings is intellectual heft and a keen analytical mind, with a proven track record of consensus building."

Apparently seven GOP Republicans thought so too when they voted for her for US Solicitor General.

Yeah, TVO, sounds like a "disaster".

[greatlakes99]

Sports bragging rights and politics ... the same thing?

[TVO1CITW]

Two (2) open minds, one (1) moral disaster.

[democracy3]

Yeah, because open minds are reeeeeally horrible to have in this world, huh? LOL

[cvanoff]

TVO, please tell us what makes you think you're some sort of arbiter of morals.