Political Quotes

“Mr. President, I also rise to discuss President Obama's nomination of Elena Kagan, Solicitor General, to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court. I agree very strongly with the remarks made by my colleague who has just indicated there is a strong concern about the continuation of a pattern of increasing judicial activism in our country, which we definitely do not need to perpetuate on the highest Court of our land. I appreciate the work that has been done by my colleagues on the Senate Judiciary Committee to examine this nomination and to hold thorough hearings. There is no doubt that Ms. Kagan's educational resume is impressive, with a degree from Princeton and from Harvard Law School. It is unfortunate that the Senate confirmation process has reached the point, though, where nominees are no longer comfortable candidly discussing their judicial philosophy and views on key issues, especially when the nominee herself decries this development prior to being nominated. To date, I have received more than 1,500 letters and e-mails and phone calls from my Idaho constituents, overwhelmingly in opposition to Elena Kagan's nomination. Many of the concerns raised in the correspondence I have received mirror concerns I also have about her nomination. It was my hope, through the committee hearings and questionnaires and in my own personal meeting with Ms. Kagan, that my concerns and those of my constituents could be resolved. As Ms.…”