Coalition for Constitutional Values

Washington, DC – Today, the Coalition for Constitutional Values released a new ad supporting President Obama’s Supreme Court Justice nominee, Elena Kagan.

The ad, entitled “Commitment,” highlights Kagan’s trailblazing career as the first woman to serve as Solicitor General and as Dean of Harvard Law School. The ad also focuses on her commitment to service as Associate White House Counsel and as a professor at the University of Chicago.

“This spot introduces the American people to Solicitor General Elena Kagan. Every aspect of American life is affected by our justice system,” said Wade Henderson, president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights.

“The President has nominated someone who is extremely well-qualified and who understands the lives of ordinary Americans.  The daughter of a housing lawyer and school teacher, and herself a committed educator and public servant, Elena Kagan understands the effects of the courts’ decisions on ordinary people. We believe she will uphold the Constitution and the law to provide equal justice and protect personal freedoms for everyone in America, not just a few.”

The ad uses President Obama’s remarks from the day Justice Stevens announced his retirement to outline his guidelines for choosing the next nominee.

Transcript:

I view the process of selecting a Supreme Court nominee as among my most serious responsibilities as President.

… An independent mind, a record of excellence and integrity, a fierce dedication to the rule of law. and a keen understanding of how the law affects the daily lives of the American people.

It will also be someone who… knows that in a democracy, powerful interests must not be allowed to drown out the voices of ordinary citizens.

The Coalition for Constitutional Values works to protect judicial independence by supporting the confirmation of well-qualified, independent, fair-minded judges who place justice ahead of politics by respecting our Constitution and our laws.  For further information, please contact The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, a coalition charged by its diverse membership of more than 200 national organizations to promote and protect the rights of all persons in the United States.