Our path to a more perfect Union also included the rejection 75 years ago of conservative judicial activism by the Supreme Court and our establishing a social safety net for all Americans.

What obligation do we have to make sure they know what your thinking is?

I reject the ideological litmus test, from either the right or the left, that some would apply to Supreme Court nominees.

I hope you will tread carefully and consider the reputation of the Court as a whole when evaluating whether to overturn longstanding precedent.

I want a Justice who is going to follow legal precedent.

I have to make my decision whether to support or not support her nomination on the basis of evidence, not on blind faith.

We are polarized regionally. We are polarized politically.

By elevating the rights of corporations over the rights of the people, the Court damaged our democracy.

This decision and its predecessor, District of Columbia v. Heller, have essentially disregarded the precedent of 71 years.

My hope is that with your stellar academics and your stellar intellect, that your patriotism will be just as stellar.

I appreciate that you engaged with Senators, you have answered their questions more fully than many recent nominees.

He was a self-educated man. He learned much throughout his life. He had much to teach us all.

the Court should have a broader range of perspectives than just gleaned from the appellate branch.

The fundamental opportunities of America depend upon those goals.

The value of such experience depends on whether you view the Supreme Court as a political circus or view its role as crafting policy.

It took more than four score years and a Civil War that claimed the lives of hundreds of thousands to end the enslavement of African-Americans and include as citizens 'all persons born or naturalized in the United States.'

As Justice Stevens wrote in his dissent, 'The Court's opinion is a rejection of the common sense of the American people.'

In the 170,000 pages of documents from your White House service that were turned over to this committee, there is ample evidence of your efforts to bridge the gaps, the political gaps that haunt us in America.

It is a fair question to ask a nominee in what direction would you move the Court.

Elena Kagan earned her place at the top of the legal profession. Her legal qualifications are unassailable.

I trust you will put the interests of the American people and justice for the American people first above popular opinion or politics.

The Court needs a person who has an ability to build consensus and find common ground.

We know elections have consequences.

Unfortunately, many judges today do not see it that way but believe that they may themselves govern the Constitution.

It is important that all Americans feel the Court represents their life experiences and their values.