Inquire Within

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Byline: Jennifer Harper, THE WASHINGTON TIMES

INQUIRE WITHIN

Though the American public may not be glued to the play-by-play, the Republican National Committee is keen on the much-ballyhooed confirmation hearings of Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan. Among other things, the Republicans want to know the following:

Can you assure the public that you know the difference between serving as a political adviser and making decisions as a judge?

Based on your past history, should the American public be concerned that your role on the bench will be to protect President Obama's policy agenda?

Are you going to follow your own advice and answer questions directly, avoiding 'platitudinous' statements and political spin, so this hearing takes on more than 'an air of vacuity and farce'? the RNC asked, referring to a 1995 University of Chicago Law Review article that used those and similar phrases to criticize then-recent Supreme Court confirmation hearings.

KISS AND MAKE UP

This magazine has not always agreed with Sen. John McCain's judgments is an understatement. For a …