Vice President pitches Kagan Supreme Court nomination from Wilmington

Vice President Biden continues to push the theme of Elena Kagan’s credentials on all 3 network morning news programs. He made his comments from the WHYY First studios in Wilmington.

Vice President Joe Biden was on network television this morning defending the Obama administration’s choice of Elena Kagan as the Supreme Court nominee to replace Justice John Paul Stevens.

The Vice-President made his case on all three morning news programs from WHYY’s First studios in Wilmington.   Biden told Good Morning America, “thank God it is not a deal breaker” when discussing her lack of  experience as court room judge.  He listed her credentials as Solicitor General in the Department of Justice  as one of her qualifications.  Biden says the person who holds that office is the unofficial tenth justice.   He pointed to how she built a consensus at Harvard University as an example of how she is a mainstream choice to be a justice.

Vice President Biden told the CBS Early Show that Kagan’s career closely parallels that of the late Supreme Court Justice William Rehnquist.    He said he expects Kagan to be confirmed.   However,  he acknowledged the mood in the Senate is as bipartisan as it could be.  He noted the nomination of Justice Sonia Sotomayor was confirmed without controversy as were the last two appointees of the Bush administration, Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Samuel Alito.

The ABC and CBS interviews were taped before 7am.  The Today Show interview with Matt Lauer was live.  In that interview he was asked about a quote Kagan made about the Supreme Court nomination process where she referred to it as “vapid” for the lack of information forthcoming from prospective justices.   Vice President Biden said nominees should not give their opinions on cases that might come before the court, but should be able to discuss the thought process behind how they would go about reaching a decision.  He expects Kagan to do that.

Biden was also asked about Pennsylvania Senator Arlen Specter’s vote against Kagan when she was confirmed as Solicitor General in 2009 and whether that would affect his tough fight in the Pennsylvania Democratic primary May 18th.  Biden said he was campaigning for Specter today and would do so again over the weekend if needed.  He pointed out President Obama has also campaigned for Specter.  He did not know the President’s schedule, so he did not know whether the President would campaign in Pennsylvania again before Tuesday.