Abdali
Senator (1k+ posts)
U.S. Jews 'proud' of Obama Supreme Court nominee
U.S. president poised to nominate Solicitor General Elena Kagan, a moderate expected not to spur political storm, a jewish lesbian forsupreme court.
he expected nomination of Solicitor General Elena Kagan represents is a proud moment for the U.S. Jewish community as well as a landmark in gender equality, the National Jewish Democratic Council said Monday.
President Barack Obama was poised on Monday to nominate Solicitor General Elena Kagan for the U.S. Supreme Court, choosing a moderate who may not spur a damaging political fight in a congressional election year.
In their statement Monday, the NJDC said that Kagens nomination represented "an important step forward as women continue to take their rightful place on our nations highest court, as her confirmation would bring us to the historic precedent of three women seated on the Court at the same time."
"As American Jews, we also take special pride in seeing another member of our community nominated to the highest court in the land," the NJDC added, saying that it "look forward to an expeditious and fair confirmation hearing, and a speedy and successful confirmation vote in the full Senate before the Court convenes in the fall."
Also Monday, Democratic sources familiar with the president's thinking said he had decided on the 50-year-old former Harvard Law School dean for the seat on the court. The job is a lifetime position and requires confirmation by the U.S. Senate.
Reformist Rabbi David Saperstein, Director and Counsel of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, congratulated Solicitor General Kagan on her nomination and stated that after working with her in the past, he found her "passionate in her commitment to constitutional rights."
"We found in her someone passionate in her commitment to constitutional rights and wise in her strategic judgment," Rabbi Saperstein said.
"Being at the White House this morning when the President nominated her to serve as the 112th Supreme Court Justice was a pleasure and a privilege," he added.
Robert G. Sugarman, ADL National Chair, and Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director, issued a statement congratulating Kagan on her nomination to the Supreme Court saying "she has already served this nation with distinction in a number of capacities."
The joint statement pointed out that as "the granddaughter of immigrants, she has lived the American Dream, achieving one professional success after another and serving as a role model for many in the process."
"We applaud President Obama for having selected this distinguished lawyer, the statement said, adding that "with her background in academia, private practice, and government service, if confirmed, she will undoubtedly bring an important new perspective to the work of the Court."
Experts said Kagan could be expected to pass fairly smoothly through the Senate confirmation process, which can be fraught with political peril. Kagan has been through one Senate confirmation already -- she was confirmed last year for her current position.
An announcement is planned for 10 a.m. (1400 GMT) at the White House. The White House said Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and Kagan will be at the event.
If confirmed, Kagan would replace retiring Justice John Paul Stevens, a leading liberal voice on the court. Like Stevens, Kagan in most cases probably would join the three other liberal justices on the court, which for years has been controlled by a five-member conservative majority.:27:
U.S. president poised to nominate Solicitor General Elena Kagan, a moderate expected not to spur political storm, a jewish lesbian forsupreme court.
he expected nomination of Solicitor General Elena Kagan represents is a proud moment for the U.S. Jewish community as well as a landmark in gender equality, the National Jewish Democratic Council said Monday.
President Barack Obama was poised on Monday to nominate Solicitor General Elena Kagan for the U.S. Supreme Court, choosing a moderate who may not spur a damaging political fight in a congressional election year.
In their statement Monday, the NJDC said that Kagens nomination represented "an important step forward as women continue to take their rightful place on our nations highest court, as her confirmation would bring us to the historic precedent of three women seated on the Court at the same time."
"As American Jews, we also take special pride in seeing another member of our community nominated to the highest court in the land," the NJDC added, saying that it "look forward to an expeditious and fair confirmation hearing, and a speedy and successful confirmation vote in the full Senate before the Court convenes in the fall."
Also Monday, Democratic sources familiar with the president's thinking said he had decided on the 50-year-old former Harvard Law School dean for the seat on the court. The job is a lifetime position and requires confirmation by the U.S. Senate.
Reformist Rabbi David Saperstein, Director and Counsel of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, congratulated Solicitor General Kagan on her nomination and stated that after working with her in the past, he found her "passionate in her commitment to constitutional rights."
"We found in her someone passionate in her commitment to constitutional rights and wise in her strategic judgment," Rabbi Saperstein said.
"Being at the White House this morning when the President nominated her to serve as the 112th Supreme Court Justice was a pleasure and a privilege," he added.
Robert G. Sugarman, ADL National Chair, and Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director, issued a statement congratulating Kagan on her nomination to the Supreme Court saying "she has already served this nation with distinction in a number of capacities."
The joint statement pointed out that as "the granddaughter of immigrants, she has lived the American Dream, achieving one professional success after another and serving as a role model for many in the process."
"We applaud President Obama for having selected this distinguished lawyer, the statement said, adding that "with her background in academia, private practice, and government service, if confirmed, she will undoubtedly bring an important new perspective to the work of the Court."
Experts said Kagan could be expected to pass fairly smoothly through the Senate confirmation process, which can be fraught with political peril. Kagan has been through one Senate confirmation already -- she was confirmed last year for her current position.
An announcement is planned for 10 a.m. (1400 GMT) at the White House. The White House said Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and Kagan will be at the event.
If confirmed, Kagan would replace retiring Justice John Paul Stevens, a leading liberal voice on the court. Like Stevens, Kagan in most cases probably would join the three other liberal justices on the court, which for years has been controlled by a five-member conservative majority.:27:
