H3

1. a) Three characteristics of Supreme Court nominees are they are usually old aged, well educated and in most cases graduated from an ivy league, and have experience in law.

b) With age comes experience, and experience in law and legal matters is important for a justice to have in his decision making process within the courts. A full education is also important for a justice because it helps qualify the justice for his position and his ability to make decisions on important legal matters, which in some cases may be life or death decisions.

c) Eleanor Kagan was confirmed as a justice partly for her age. At 50 years old, she has plenty of experience and has worked in legal matters for a long enough time to give her the proper qualifications of a justice, however still has many years ahead of her to spend as a justice.

2. a) Two methods used by interest groups to influence the appointment process are they can donate money and endorse certain candidates and rallying support for their views and spreading their opinions through the media.

b) Donations help candidates' campaigns and can give them better chances and opportunities to win the position. Working the media helps gain support for the candidate being publicized the most widely.

c) Interest groups have endorsed Kagan through both donations, such as the ones given by pro choice groups, and coverage through the media.