U.S. Senator Olympia J. Snowe (R-Maine) issued the following statement today on her meeting with Supreme Court nominee U.S. Solicitor General Elena Kagan:
"I had a productive and substantive conversation this morning with Solicitor General Kagan, and I appreciate her taking the time to meet about her pending nomination to the United States Supreme Court. We all know she has an accomplished resume and clearly is at the top of her profession, and well-respected by her peers.
"Which is exactly why today I specifically sought to learn about the breadth and depth of her personal and professional experiences; the nature of her experience as a practicing lawyer; her views on the proper role of a justice in the role of the Court in our Constitutional scheme of government; and her approach to constitutional and statutory interpretation and how that approach has evolved over the course of her career. As I told Solicitor General Kagan, it's my belief that any Supreme Court nominee should bring a balanced approach to cases, possess a strong intellect and suitable judicial temperament, and follow a disciplined judicial methodology in reaching decisions.
"Filling a lifetime seat on the highest Court in the land, where she would be able to influence American society for decades to come, demands a thorough and exhaustive evaluation. While I don't find her lack of judicial experience to be disqualifying, particularly on a Court that has eight members with prior judicial experience, it is my duty, as a United States Senator, to ensure that anyone nominated to serve in this capacity is properly qualified for this monumental task. I will continue my review of her record and professional writings while also watching her performance during the upcoming Senate Judiciary Committee hearings before deciding whether to support this nomination."