DNC Chairman Tim Kaine Commends President Obama's Nomination of Elena Kagan to the Supreme Court

WASHINGTON, May 10 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, President Obama announced his nomination of Solicitor General Elena Kagan to the Supreme Court. In response, DNC Chairman Tim Kaine - a former civil rights lawyer with extensive trial and appellate-level legal work - issued the following statement:

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"I want to commend President Obama for his nomination of Solicitor General Elena Kagan to serve on the Supreme Court. People on both sides of the aisle agree that Solicitor General Kagan has a keen legal mind, and I believe she is an excellent choice for this important position.

"Elena Kagan is a trailblazer. Throughout her career as Solicitor General, the Dean of Harvard Law School, Associate Counsel and Deputy Assistant to President Clinton, and clerk for Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall - Kagan has impressed all who have encountered her with her legal acumen and her ability to build consensus on important and sometimes contentious issues of law and policy. She has a demonstrated history of listening to all sides of an argument and considering all viewpoints, something that will serve her well as a Supreme Court justice.

"Elena Kagan has demonstrated excellence in her study and application of the law, and a commitment to public service. And in her many different positions, she has focused on advancing opportunity and combating injustice in keeping with the Constitution and the laws of the United States. In selecting Kagan to serve as the first female Solicitor General in American history, President Obama knew she would serve America with integrity and tenacity. Over the last year, she has exceeded even those expectations and has worked hard to represent the best interests of the American people before the Supreme Court - I have full faith that she would continue to do so as a member of that body.

"It's also important to note that the confirmation of Solicitor General Kagan would bring the number of women on the Supreme Court to an unprecedented three - the most ever - and it would ensure that every American who comes before the Court receives a thorough hearing, a thoughtful response, and a full measure of justice.

"I would like to again commend President Obama for his choice of Elena Kagan and wish Solicitor General Kagan the best of luck during the confirmation process."

SOURCE Democratic National Committee