Today on MSNBC, former Whitewater prosecutor Ken Starr countered Republicans who are suggesting Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan is not qualified because she has never served as a judge. “It’s certainly not necessary,” Starr said, adding that she “has been an outstanding teacher, a wonderful academic, a very successful dean…[and] was a great community builder.” Host Monica Novotny then asked about attacks on Kagan from “conservative politicians” and “conservatives in the media.” “That’s politics,” Starr said, calling them “ugly.” He later said the right-wing strategy isn’t good for the Court or for the country:
MONICA NOVOTNY: Let me ask you this sir, no one is expecting Republicans to filibuster the nomination but as we’ve heard they are vowing to vigorously challenge her and as you’ve said, “that’s politics.” But is that the right strategy?
STARR: Well it may be good politics but I don’t think it’s good for the Court. We have been through a generation of very divisive politics which I think is not serving the Court well and therefore I don’t think it serves the country well. But far be it from me to question the tactics of folks who are elected by their constituents to carry a particular voice. I just wish for the sake of the country that there are less rancor and acrimony. Elections have consequences. President Obama has chosen someone who is very qualified.
Watch it:
Starr, who famously led the impeachment campaign against President Bill Clinton, has previously said he “very much regrets” his “unhappy decision” to drag the country through that right-wing crusade.
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