By Maria Saporta
Leah Ward Sears, former chief justice of the Georgia Supreme Court, had nothing but good things to say about Elena Kagan, the U.S. solicitor general.
Kagan is President Barack Obama’s choice to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court, his second appointment in the past year.
Once again, Sears was one of the candidates being considered for the post.
“I think anybody on the list would have done a good job,” Sears said of all the people Obama had been considering for one of the most prestigious appointments he will make as president. “She’s going to bring a breath of fresh air to the court.”
Sears said that she was in the country of Oman when she got an email from her mother saying that Obama had added her name to the short list of people under consideration.
“That was quite an honor to be put on the list for a second time,” Sears said. “That was quite a compliment.”
Sears was attending Tuesday afternoon’s 90th anniversary celebration of the League of Women Voters of Atlanta-Fulton County at the offices of King & Spalding.
Sears, who said she does not know Kagan, said she has been a long time admirer of Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens, who announced that he would be leaving the court last month.
When asked about President Obama’s appointees to the Supreme Court, Sears said: “I’m pleased to see it becoming more diverse.”
Because Obama is still so early in his presidency, it’s possible Kagan won’t be the last person he’ll get to name to the Supreme Court.
If another position opens up, Sears said she believes the Supreme Court would become even more diverse.
Maybe the third time will be the charm.
