President Obama Nominates Elena Kagan to U.S. Supreme Court

Solicitor General would become historic third woman on Court.

Last week, President Obama nominated former Harvard Law School Dean and current Solicitor General Elena Kagan to be the third woman on the United States Supreme Court, replacing retiring Justice John Paul Stevens.

Kagan, a respected legal scholar and former colleague of President Obama on the University of Chicago School faculty, received praise from Vice President Biden and scholars throughout the legal community.

The President´s selection of the Solicitor General to sit on the Supreme Court was unusual in recent times because of the tendency of presidents since the Robert Bork nomination to nominate sitting judges. Historically, however, the Solicitor General has been referred to the "Tenth Justice on the Supreme Court" because of the importance of the government´s position on cases filed with the Court.

Recent examples of justices appointed to the Supreme Court who were not sitting judges at the time of their appointment include former Chief Justice William Rehnquist.

During the White Ceremony announcing the nomination, President Obama remarked, "While we can't presume to replace Justice Stevens´ wisdom or experience, I have selected a nominee who I believe embodies that same excellence, independence, integrity, and passion for the law -- and who can ultimately provide that same kind of leadership on the Court: our Solicitor General, and my friend, Elena Kagan."

If confirmed, Kagan, 50, will be one of the youngest Justices to serve on the Supreme Court.