Is Kennedy Easily Manipulated?  —  One important component of the liberal case for Elena Kagan seems to be that she could exert a strong influence on the Court's median vote, Anthony Kennedy.  Here's Jeffrey Rosen: … And half-seriously, Jonathan Zasloff:

What It Takes  —  About a decade ago, one began to notice a profusion of Organization Kids at elite college campuses.  These were bright students who had been formed by the meritocratic system placed in front of them.  They had great grades, perfect teacher recommendations …

Isn't This a Bit Much?  —  The president went to Harvard, and barely defeated a primary opponent who went to Yale.  His predecessor went to Yale and Harvard, and defeated opponents who went to Yale and Harvard, and Harvard, respectively.  The previous two presidents also went to Yale …

News Analysis: Kagan Nomination Leaves Longing on the Left  —  WASHINGTON — The selection of Solicitor General Elena Kagan to be the nation's 112th justice extends a quarter-century pattern in which Republican presidents generally install strong conservatives on the Supreme Court …

U.S. may be passing up chances to stop terrorist plots  —  Did a captured Taliban leader know about the Times Square plot and withhold this information from his interrogators?  —  On Sunday, Obama administration officials, including counterterrorism chief John Brennan …

Drone Strikes Pound West Pakistan  —  KARACHI, Pakistan — In an unusually ferocious American attack on militants in Pakistan, about 18 missiles fired from pilotless aircraft killed at least 14 fighters and wounded four others on Tuesday in the tribal area of North Waziristan, a security official and a resident of the area said.