Media Matters Daily Summary

Here are today's news items from Media Matters for America, click on the title or 'read more' to read the entirety of each story. Myths and falsehoods about Elena Kagan's Supreme Court nomination Media Matters for America has compiled and debunked myths and falsehoods about Solicitor General Elena Kagan's Supreme Court nomination. Read More CBS News article on "early conservative reaction" to Kagan's nomination is filled with misinformation Following reports that President Obama will nominate Solicitor General Elena Kagan to the Supreme Court, CBS News published an article on the "early conservative reaction" to Obama's pick. The article only cited conservatives critical of Kagan's nomination, despite the fact that she has garnered support from numerous conservatives, and it advanced misinformation about her record. Read More Memo to media: Kagan is no Harriet Miers Various media figures have likened Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan to Harriet Miers, President Bush's failed nominee. However, legal experts -- including conservatives -- have rejected the comparison. Moreover, media conservatives previously smeared Sonia Sotomayor as "Obama's Harriet Miers." Read More After saying he "endorsed" her, Kristol now falsely claims Kagan has "hostility to the U.S. military" William Kristol falsely claimed Elena Kagan has "hostility to the U.S. military" because she "tried to bar military recruiters from Harvard Law School." In fact, Kagan has praised the military, military veterans dispute the notion that Kagan is hostile to the military, and Kagan consistently followed the law while allowing students access to recruiters. Read More Right-wing media strain to portray Kagan as a "radical" Right-wing media figures have been quick to portray Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan as a "radical" or an "activist." In fact, Kagan is considered "one of the more moderate choices" for the Supreme Court and has been described as "fair-minded" and "well-respected" by conservative political and legal experts. Read More Another myth debunked: Kagan's campaign donations not unusual Laura Ingraham falsely suggested that Elena Kagan's campaign donations to Democrats -- including President Obama -- were somehow unusual. In fact, Chief Justice John Roberts -- who was appointed by President Bush -- donated to Bush's campaign in 2000, and dozens of Bush judicial appointees reportedly donated to Bush or other key Republicans prior to becoming judges. Read More Why is Rush Limbaugh defending slavery? Rush Limbaugh attacked Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan for citing former Justice Thurgood Marshall's statement that the Constitution as originally written was "defective." At no point did Limbaugh acknowledge that Marshall was saying the Constitution was "defective" because it permitted slavery and did not guarantee women's suffrage. Read More Fox News' double standard on "judicial experience" Fox News personalities have trumpeted what they admit is the Republican talking point that Elena Kagan lacks judicial experience. But one-third of Supreme Court justices have had no state or federal judicial experience at the time they were nominated, and Fox had no such concerns following now-Chief Justice John Roberts' nomination, even though he had only served as a judge for two years. Read More Right-wing media falsely claim Kagan is "anti-military" The right-wing media has falsely claimed Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan is "anti-military" because she temporarily barred Harvard Law School's Office of Career Services from aiding military recruiters due to the military's discriminatory Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy. In fact, Kagan has repeatedly praised the military for its "courage," "dedication" and "great service." Read More Whelan spreads myths about Kagan throughout the media National Review Online blogger Ed Whelan has been widely quoted in media outlets spreading myths and falsehoods about Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan. Read More You can help support our work; become a volunteer media monitor, or donate to Media Matters for America.