American Politics in the News

On May 9, 2010, President Barack Obama nominated Elena Kagan to succeed retiring Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens. Kagan is a 50-year old lawyer who was the first woman to serve as solicitor general, and if confirmed, she will be the youngest member of the current court, and the third woman ever to serve on the Supreme Court. The senate confirmation hearings for Elena Kagan are expected to take place late in June of 2010.

On Tuesday, June 8, an unemployed veteran of the armed forces shocked the nation by defeating candidate Vic Rawl in a South Carolina primary race for the United States senate. Alvin Greene won the Democratic nomination 59% to 41% despite a very limited campaign budget and little campaign activity.

On Tuesday, June 15, President Obama spoke to the country from the Oval Office in a prime-time address regarding the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. The president spoke of the need for improved regulations and safety standards for off-shore drilling, and he told the nation that he had appointed Michael R. Bromwich to lead the Minerals Management Service, the federal agency responsible for all oil drilling reform.