Turns out Elena Kagan has a sense of humor.

[Kber]

This made me smile.

http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2010/0630/Elena-K...

She is smart. She is learned in the law. And she has the ability to function well under extreme pressure.

These are traits that helped Elena Kagan navigate the pitfalls of six years as dean of Harvard Law School and the past year as the Obama Administration’s top lawyer at the US Supreme Court.

But there’s another quality – a gift – that is on full display during her Supreme Court confirmation hearings this week.

Kagan is funny.

And not just clever-witty, either. Sometimes she is laugh-out-loud delightful.

[Jennicut]

1. And one needs a good sense of humor after getting questions from the Rethug idiots.

You either need a sense of humor or you will weep at their ignorance, or slap them.

[Cha]

9. Not to mention what she'll have to deal with in

the Supreme 5.

[Pab Sungenis]

2. A sense of humor? Yes.

A sense of JUSTICE?

No: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...

[X_Digger]

4. That's okay, Sotomayor said that Heller was 'settled law', too..

And that didn't stop her from joining the dissent in McDonald that basically tried to re-argue Heller.

Confirmation hearings have become modern-day Kabuki theater. Nothing more.

[grantcart]

5. It would have been interesting to make a judgement about what Kagan

said by actually reading her own words.

Conveniently the poster you refer doesn't bother with links.

Interesting how people here don't trust the media representations generally but lap it up without question when it confirms an opinion that they want advanced.

[onenote]

11. how exactly does the OP you cite, which is mostly a bunch of junk,

establish that she doesn't have a sense of justice?

[northoftheborder]

3. Kagan's confirmation hearing..........

is one of the most interesting I have ever watched. She has answered much more fully with specific views towards the law, how it should be judged by the Supreme Court, and displays broad knowledge. That she is charming, natural, specific, obviously smart, bears up well under pressure, and does not allow herself to be browbeaten, are all the more credit towards her positive traits. I hope she is confirmed, and know she will perform well as a Justice. I think whether or not she has a "liberal" bias is besides the point. I think it is obvious that her world view is one of inclusion of all people regardless of wealth or rank.

Also, the Democrats have posed some of the more difficult and complicated questions. They are not giving her a free ride. The Republicans, as exhibited by their press chat at the last break, look like a pack of blood thirsty hyenas, with mean black eyes. (Particularly the Texan on the committee, Cornyn. He is the smoothest talking, meanest, most dangerous one, on the whole committee.) Sessions, on the other hand, makes obvious who he is.

Also, I want to reply to a post and thread yesterday about Senator Franken. I too, am a big fan of his. I used to listen to him on Air America, and was impressed not only with his passion about current events, but his strong desire to make a difference, and his knowledge of affairs. He is highly intelligent, beneath his naturally funny persona!! Not just stand-up, tell a joke, kind of funny, but a natural gift of humor. It's a miracle that he got elected in his conservative state, and certainly hope he stays a long time. He thought so highly of Sen. Wellstone, and thinks of him as his "mentor" in a way. But he has his own personality, and hopefully will become equally well-thought of in a long life as a Senator.

[countingbluecars]

6. I agree! n/t

[great white snark]

7. +1

[Hekate]

8. Very good assessment. She's incredibly unflappable; the wit is the icing on the cake.

She's going to be one to watch, isn't she?

When "personality traits" were mentioned early on as one of the qualities to look for in a nominee, I could instantly see the point of that in a divided court. If you want to build consensus, if you want to persuade others to your point of view, you need more than quick intelligence: you need that ability to be calm in the face of bullies, and a sense of humor is invaluable.



Hekate

[tabatha]

10. +100

[applegrove]

12. She sounds wonderful.

[akbacchus_BC]

13. She has to have a sense of humor to sit there so calm and collected

when an entitled Senator (do not know his name) telling her about her tone of voice. Who the ass he think he is to talk to a grown woman that way? I was really angry but she was great, maybe because she interned for Thurgood Marshall and her vast years of experience, she was able to sit there and not lose it! Good for her and I am sure she will get the nomination, keeping fingers crossed!