Elena Kagan

Candidates must speak to all groups When Rep. Joe Sestak addressed the Council on American-Islamic Relations, the group was working with the FBI, a pretty good credential for a congressman to base a decision on whether to accept an invitation to speak to its local chapter. As an elected official, Sestak represents everyone in his district, including people with whom he may disagree. It is a sign of his maturity that he is willing to listen to everyone. I have seen him tell a pro-Palestinian constituent that he would continue to support Israel - not a typical vote-getting political move.

Sen. Sessions says Kagan 'dangerous' WASHINGTON - Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions, top Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee, on Wednesday called Elena Kagan "a dangerous, progressive, political" nominee for the Supreme Court. Sessions' latest and strongest speech denouncing Kagan came shortly after Maine Sen. Olympia J. Snowe became the fourth Republican to announce she would break with her party to support President Obama's nominee. Snowe said that Kagan met her standards for a justice and that endorsements from conservative lawyers showed that Kagan had a reputation for a sound judicial temperament.

A column in Sunday's Currents section about Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan was accompanied by an incorrect photograph. The photo was of Sen. Jeff Sessions, not Sen. Lindsey Graham, as the caption indicated. The Inquirer wants its news report to be fair and correct in every respect, and regrets when it is not. If you have a question or comment about news coverage, contact assistant managing editor David Sullivan (215-854-2357) at The Inquirer, Box 8263, Philadelphia 19101, or e-mail dsullivan@phillynews.

Dana Milbank is a Washington Post columnist Lindsey Graham is all of 5-foot-7 with his shoes on, but these days he towers above his fellow Republican senators. As the Judiciary Committee held its vote on Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan last week, the seats on either side of Graham were empty. Sens. Jon Kyl of Arizona and John Cornyn of Texas, along with Tom Coburn of Oklahoma, showed their contempt for President Obama and his nominee by skipping the vote - just as they had done 51 weeks earlier for the vote on Sonia Sotomayor.

Better uses for July 4 money The Fourth of July gala and fireworks display can only be compared to the person lighting a $50 cigar with a $100 bill. A $2.1 million budget is set for the City of Philadelphia, according to Mayor Nutter, for festival expenses, including fireworks, cleanup crews ($18,000), overtime for police, tents, and platforms ("Welcome America to get free services," June 10). Along that same Parkway, where we watched the entertainment and fireworks display, the homeless will line up for a free meal.

Elena Kagan has shown herself to be worthy of the Supreme Court. The Senate should confirm her nomination. Through three days of questioning last week, Kagan, currently the U.S. solicitor general, showed a temperament that will serve her well on the bench. She has a first-rate intellect and a sharp sense of humor. Kagan, 50, didn't meet her own standard for candor that she outlined in 1995, when she complained in an article that judicial confirmation hearings are a "vapid and hollow charade.