solicitor general

As expected, the Senate confirmed Elena Kagan as solicitor general Thursday.  Kagan, the first woman to hold the post, was confirmed by a vote of 61-31.
As I reported earlier, she had some vehement Republican critics. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) made a point of noting, in announcing her confirmation, that every solicitor general [...]

The nomination of Elena Kagan, President Obama’s nominee for solicitor general — the government’s top legal representative in cases before the Supreme Court — is now being debated on the Senate floor. The Senate is expected to vote on the nomination by the end of today.
Despite some tough questioning about past experience and legal positions [...]

Following up on Spencer’s post, The Los Angeles Times today makes much of the fact that Solicitor General nominee Elena Kagan Tuesday told senators that she believes that “enemy combatants” can be detained without criminal charge or trial.
Well, as much as civil liberties advocates might prefer that the new administration choose not to do that, [...]

If today’s confirmation hearing for Solicitor General-nominee Elena Kagan was a supposed “trial balloon” for the scrutiny of a possible Supreme Court appointment, expect smooth sailing.