Kaganology 104

Greg Sargent dissects the GOP hypocrisy on Elena Kagan's lack of judicial experience meaning she's not qualified for SCOTUS by bringing up the same Senators falling all over themselves to initially defend Harriet Miers.

The argument from Republicans that Elena Kagan may lack the judicial experience to sit on the Supreme Court is getting tougher and tougher to sustain.

The problem is that too many Republicans failed to apply this standard to nominees they supported. Here, for instance, is what Sen. Richard Shelby told the Associated Press about highly inexperienced Bush nominee Harriet Miers in 2005 (via Nexis):

"It looks to me at first glance that Harriet Miers is qualified to be on the Supreme Court, but I really don't know her," Shelby said in an interview. "If you look back, about a third of the people that have served on the Supreme Court have never had previous judicial experience. Some of them have never even practiced law. I think we're entitled to know more than we know. But she could, if confirmed, make an outstanding justice on the court."

And here's what John McCain told the Akron Beacon Journal about Miers' lack of experience at the time (via Nexis):

''I think she's a great choice,'' McCain said. ''She's highly qualified.''

Separately, Sam Stein compared the resumes of Kagan and William Renquist before he ascended to the court, and concluded that the latter "would be considered something of a novice by the standards some are applying to Kagan." 

Try again, GOP.  Look, there are questions about Kagan, but her experience isn't the avenue of attack you want to use.  Grow up and ask some real questions about her, and do your jobs.