This morning President Barack Obama announced in a news conference his nomination for the vacancy created by Justice John Paul Stevens’ retirement this summer from the nation’s highest court. His choice: current solicitor general Elena Kagan.
Kagan is a figure to which, up to now, the public at large has had very little exposure. According to the Associate Press, the Obama administration has already launched an extensive media blitz designed to shape the image the nominee will have as she steps into the spotlight of the national political scene.
If confirmed, at 50, she will be the youngest member of the Supreme Court. Although several republicans backed her nomination for solicitor general back in 2009, based on the ever deepening partisan rift in Congress, readers can expect a series of protracted confirmation hearings.