US President Barack Obama’s choice to become one of nine justices on the US Supreme Court seemed a sure bet after four days of hearings, as Republicans showed little desire to wage a campaign against her.
Backing Elena Kagan’s nomination, the Democratic party sent supporters e-mails directing them to a Web site where they could sign their names and give their e-mail addresses, then were directed to a site where they were asked to donate money to the Democratic National Committee.
Topping the site is a picture of a smiling Kagan, who just concluded three days of grilling before the Senate Judiciary Committee at which she pledged repeatedly to cast aside any political allegiances if confirmed and decide cases solely on the basis of the US Constitution and the law.
The National Rifle Association, one of the more powerful lobbying groups in Washington, stepped into the fray on Thursday by alleging that Kagan “has repeatedly demonstrated a clear hostility to the fundamental, individual right to keep and bear arms guaranteed under the US Constitution.”
Kagan would succeed retired Justice John Paul Stevens and become the fourth female justice in the history of the Supreme Court. It would be the first time that three of the court’s nine justices were women.
In a confirmation vote for Kagan, Democrats hold a 12-7 advantage over Republicans on the panel. The full Senate, where Democrats control 58 votes to the Republicans’ 41, is likely to confirm the nomination before leaving for its recess next month.
During the hearings, Republicans sparred with Kagan over abortion, homosexuals in the military and other divisive issues, but Jon Kyl, the Senate’s No. 2 Republican, said it was “highly unlikely” that Republicans would attempt a filibuster.
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