Grassley fair-minded on high court nominees

In response to Betsy Cassatt's May 14 letter, I beg to differ. Sen. Chuck Grassley's statement (about being sure that Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan understands the constitutional role of a Supreme Court justice) was right on target. The Senate has a constitutional responsibility to advise and consent. It seems to me that any senator who states his opinion on a nominee for the highest court in the land before the hearing isn't adhering to the Constitution.

We know little about Kagan's background. Nobody can argue that she isn't smart and scholarly, but that doesn't automatically make her the right person for a lifetime appointment on the Supreme Court. As we found out in 2002 when Democrats filibustered a smart and scholarly Hispanic nominee for the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, being smart and scholarly are not the only things that matter.

Kagan has few academic writings and no legal opinions to scrutinize. We owe it to the Constitution and the American people to ask questions and bring to light her judicial temperament.

I applaud Grassley for how he has handled the nominee. He is known for being fair-minded about judicial nominees.

Bob Anderson

Swisher