Political Quotes

“I thank the Senator from Alabama for his kind words. We both set out with the goal of making sure the United States had a chance to hear this nomination, to hear the debate on it, and to have Senators speak. We both decided before the debate that would happen, and it has. I thank the Senator from Alabama. We are about to conclude debate on the nomination of Elena Kagan to be Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. This is the time when the 100 of us stand in the footsteps of 300 million Americans and make the decision whether she will be confirmed to a lifetime appointment. I predict right now she will be confirmed and I look forward to her bipartisan confirmation. She has been nominated to succeed Justice John Paul Stevens, someone who served with integrity for so many years, a man I consider a friend. Her qualifications, intelligence, temperament, and judgment will make her a worthy successor to Justice John Paul Stevens. When she is appointed by the President after we confirm her, three women will serve together on the Supreme Court of the United States for the first time in our Nation's history, three women on the nine-member Supreme Court. As I said 5 1/2 weeks ago, when the Judiciary Committee began Solicitor General Kagan's confirmation hearing, we are a better country for the fact that the path of excellence Elena Kagan has taken in her career is one now open for both men and women.”