Cautious Yet Troubling Pick in Kagan

Cautious Yet Troubling Pick in Kagan

Katrina vanden Heuvel describes Kagan as a careful choice, who needs to be pressed about her views on executive power.

Copy Link
Facebook
X (Twitter)
Bluesky
Pocket
Email

On The Ed Show, Ed Schultz wants to know what the editorial board at The Nation thinks about Obama’s nomination of Elena Kagan to the Supreme Court. He brings in Editor and publisher Katrina vanden Heuvel to find out. Vanden Heuvel describes Kagan as a “cautious pick” but says that there are some “troubling issues and questions that need to be raised…about her views on executive power.” But she says that the GOP notion that she is not experienced enough is nonsense.

“If you need that kind of experience to pass what we just got out of the Citizens United decision, unleashing corporate money…polluting our political system. What value are judicial robes?” vanden Heuvel asks. Attacking Kagan for her lack of experience and her praise of Thurgood Marshall shows how disembodied the Republican Party has become with from their roots, vanden Heuvel says. “It is a pale, stale party…soon going to be called the Grand Obstructionist Party.”

—Morgan Ashenfelter

Support independent journalism that exposes oligarchs and profiteers


Donald Trump’s cruel and chaotic second term is just getting started. In his first month back in office, Trump and his lackey Elon Musk (or is it the other way around?) have proven that nothing is safe from sacrifice at the altar of unchecked power and riches.

Only robust independent journalism can cut through the noise and offer clear-eyed reporting and analysis based on principle and conscience. That’s what The Nation has done for 160 years and that’s what we’re doing now.

Our independent journalism doesn’t allow injustice to go unnoticed or unchallenged—nor will we abandon hope for a better world. Our writers, editors, and fact-checkers are working relentlessly to keep you informed and empowered when so much of the media fails to do so out of credulity, fear, or fealty.

The Nation has seen unprecedented times before. We draw strength and guidance from our history of principled progressive journalism in times of crisis, and we are committed to continuing this legacy today.

We’re aiming to raise $25,000 during our Spring Fundraising Campaign to ensure that we have the resources to expose the oligarchs and profiteers attempting to loot our republic. Stand for bold independent journalism and donate to support The Nation today.

Onward,

Katrina vanden Heuvel

Editorial Director and Publisher, The Nation

Ad Policy
x