Conservatives claim Kagan is an inexperienced, socialist, Marxist...

[and-justice-for-all]

...bad driver who hates the military and wants to steal your guns

Well, that was predictable.

As we saw last year with the nomination of Justice Sonia Sotomayor, few events unleash a bigger torrent of conservative misinformation than when a Democratic president nominates someone to the Supreme Court. But there was a chance, albeit small, that this time might be different.

By all reasonable accounts, Elena Kagan does not fit the Marxist/socialist mold into which conservative media like to shoehorn all prominent figures to the left of Glenn Beck. (This is not to suggest that Sotomayor fit, either.) In fact, prior to -- and in the days following -- her nomination, numerous conservatives and legal scholars praised Kagan. Reagan Solicitor General Charles Fried endorsed Kagan's nomination, describing her as "supremely intelligent" and "an effective, powerful person." Bush judicial nominee Miguel Estrada called Kagan a "rigorous lawyer" who "should be confirmed." Even Fox News personalities joined the chorus of praise, with reporter Shannon Bream calling her a "brilliant individual" with a "fantastic resume." Fox News senior judicial analyst Andrew Napolitano said that Kagan's credentials are "impeccable."

Of course, it's naïve to think the conservative noise machine would sit on its hands and not seize a good opportunity to rile up its base. After all, the conservative movement is fueled -- both monetarily and electorally -- by a cynical mix of outright misinformation and fearmongering about all things conservatives perceive as not conservative.

Prior to Kagan's nomination, conservatives telegraphed their upcoming efforts to oppose any nominee, regardless of opinions or qualifications. Bill Kristol, who by this point is qualified to teach a master's-level course in shameless dishonesty, said in April that while he "endorsed Elena Kagan," Republicans "should oppose her anyway." National Review Online said that the "question for conservatives will be not whether but how" to oppose the eventual nominee. Foreshadowing his future efforts to set the new land-speed record for lies about a Supreme Court nominee, Sean Hannity agreed that "it's always good to have a fight over the courts."

Additionally, as TPM reported earlier this week, conservative activist Curt Levey -- whom the media should stop quoting -- counseled the GOP on delaying the eventual confirmation to help block the president's agenda. In a recording of a conference call between Levey and "Republican operatives," Levey made it clear that conservatives shouldn't be bound by pesky things like reality and honesty when opposing the eventual nominee. From TPM's Brian Beutler:

Levey acknowledged that a filibuster likely won't last--that Obama's nominee, now known to be Solicitor General Elana Kagan, will almost certainly be confirmed. But he hammered home the point to Republicans that there's value in mischaracterizing any nominee, and dragging the fight out as long as possible, whether or not Obama's choice is particularly liberal.

More: http://mediamatters.org/columns/201005140070

[nickinSTL]

1. the rw will call anyone elected as or appointed by a Dem

a socialist, Marxist, communist, etc.

It's all they have, because they know they're on the opposite side of every issue from what the majority of people need.

Too bad so many people are too blind and/or ignorant to see that.

[Tippy]

2. Name calling Republicans

According to them we are all commies or socialist's, I am gitting sick of their branding Dems. They really are UN-AMERICAN in the truest sense of the term....

[Bitwit1234]

3. I was flipping past Fox

and saw some fat fa*t was Kagan was a stealth candidate. That she was against big business and "unions". And Obama and the Liberals were trying to slip her in. Hell if they wanted to, why can't they bush put two absolute far right wing nutso republicans in, Alitio and Roberts. Why can't Obama put whom ever in he wants. JUST REMEMBER REPUBLICANS YOU LOST....WE WON A "LEGAL ELECTION". Which is more than what you did in Bush's two reigns.

[HughMoran]

4. Good for her

We should be so lucky.

[Kablooie]

5. Now they are also complaining because she's a Jew.

[boppers]

10. Someone went on record complaining about her religion?

Linkies please?

[and-justice-for-all]

6. I am a Socialist because Socialism is GOOD...nt

[Hansel]

7. In this country of the short attention span, people are going to just

start tuning this stuff out. It has lost its impact.

Obama has been in office for well over a year and the nation has not changed in the dramatically negative direction the fear mongers have been warning everyone of. In fact, it has been improving slowly but surely.

The American people are moving on and these guys just sound like the buffoons that they are. They have gone to fear well one too many times.

[Jennicut]

8. If only she really was a socialist! She is a total moderate, middle

of the road type. Per Gallup, 70% of the American public supports gays in the military (http://www.gallup.com/poll/127904/Broad-Steady-Support-Openly-Gay-Service-Members.aspx.) 53% of conservatives! How is that view NOT middle of the road?

[Fire1]

9. Not quite. Laura Bush thinks she's a GREAT pick! So, she

can't be that liberal. Of course, I didn't think she was that liberal prior to Laura's assessment.

[mkultra]

11. that must mean that DU thinks shes a corporatist