As Confirmation Hearings Near, G.O.P. Characterizes Kagan as a "Political Lawyer"

NY Times: G.O.P. Bears Down on Kagan as Hearings Near, by Sheryl Gay Stolberg:

WASHINGTON — After weeks of lying low, Republicans on Wednesday began stepping up their attacks on Elena Kagan, and are laying the groundwork to oppose her confirmation to the Supreme Court by casting her as a partisan Democrat who has spent more time practicing politics than law.

When President Obama nominated Ms. Kagan, his solicitor general, to replace Associate Justice John Paul Stevens, Republicans quickly complained that she lacked judicial experience. Now, in a fresh twist, they are characterizing her as a “political lawyer” or “political operative” — terms designed to undercut the Democratic argument that Ms. Kagan is hardly the first Supreme Court nominee who has never been a judge. . . .