Americans Favor Confirming Kagan to High Court, 44% to 34%

July 15, 2010

Would be first recent nominee to win approval with less than majority public support

by Jeffrey M. Jones

PRINCETON, NJ -- More Americans want the Senate to vote for rather than against Elena Kagan's nomination to the Supreme Court, but the percentage in favor is less than a majority. Support for Kagan's confirmation remains essentially the same as it was before her June confirmation hearings.

Typically, support for nominees does not change much after their hearings. Instead, Gallup usually finds increases in the percentage of Americans opposed and decreases in the percentage with no opinion. The percentage without an opinion on the Kagan nomination was the same before and after her hearings, which may indicate these were not widely followed by the average American.

The Senate Judiciary Committee will vote on Kagan's nomination next week, with the full Senate voting later this summer. Kagan is expected to be confirmed, given the Senate's large Democratic majority.
Article continues @Gallup.com
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I'm totally against her, but even if you're totally for her, I have way more respect for your 44% than the shameful 22%. I couldn't be a pollster..."You don't have an opinion?" "Let me help you decide." "Are you for freedom of speech?" ...