Dick Morris: Kagan 'Moderate' Democrat

Veteran political analyst Dick Morris says Elena Kagan, President Obama’s nominee for the Supreme Court, was a “moderate conservative” in the Bill Clinton White House.

But he also asserts that she will “be way over left” on environmental issues if she is confirmed for the high court post.

Morris and Kagan both served in the Clinton White House, Morris as a presidential adviser and Kagan as Associate White House Counsel from 1995 to 1999.

“I knew her pretty well in the Clinton administration,” Morris said during an appearance on Sean Hannity’s show on Fox News Channel Monday night.
“And in that world she was a moderate and conservative within the Clinton White House.

“For example, I’m sure she’s supported the welfare reform bill. I’m sure she’s supported the balanced budget deal. I’m sure she’s supported the capital gains tax cut.”

Hannity said: “We do know that she supported the compromise on the partial birth abortion bill.”

Kagan urged President Clinton to ban late-term abortions, a political compromise that put the administration at odds with abortion rights groups.

“We talked with her,” Morris said. “She really is an Al Gore person, though. And in the Clinton White House, Gore, believe it or not, was a moderate. He’s moved way to the left since. And it’s possible that Kagan has moved way to the left.

“Based on the Elena Kagan that I knew, she would be a moderate on the court. She’d be a little bit like Sandra Day O’Connor . .
.
“She may have changed in 14 years. But the person that I knew in the Clinton White House was definitely a moderate conservative. That means she was kind of center left.”

Hannity asked: “Were her recommendations seen through a political prism? In other words, did she recommend on partial birth abortion the compromise for any other reason except she thought it would help the president politically? Do we really glean her philosophy?”

Morris responded: “I think it will be more political than personal. The one issue where I am convinced she is an extreme leftist is the environment. She and [Clinton’s EPA Administrator] Carol Browner were kind of Bobbsey Twins in the White House.

“And I think that on cap and trade and stuff like that, she’d be way over left. But on the other issues — welfare reform and fiscal policy and terrorism — I would peg her as moderate.”