ELENA KAGAN: "The Court is an extraordinary institution in the work it does, and the work it can do for the American people, by advancing the tenants of the Constitution, by upholding the rule of law, and by enabling all Americans, regardless of their background, or their beliefs, to get a fair hearing and an equal chance at justice."

President Obama selects Solicitor General Elena Kagan to fill the vacancy to be created by the retirement of Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens.

We're looking at early reaction to the choice from Fox News, CNN, The Huffington Post, The Washington Post, and NBC.

First, Fox News answers the question, why Kagan?

"President Obama has spoken of his desire to make history by choosing a third woman to the Court.  At age 50, she would be the youngest justice, and could serve fr decades.  As former Dean of Harvard Law, Kagan recruited faculty across the ideological spectrum.  The president is said to be impressed by her reputation for bringing people together and that's important because she would replace John Paul Stevens, a liberal leader who was able to build consensus and attract swing votes."

But CNN Political Analyst Roland Martin says Kagan had a horrible track record on diversity while serving as Dean at Harvard Law, hiring 28 whites in 29 openings.  And that's a red flag for him.

"...if the leaders of civil rights and feminist organizations do not demand strong and clear answers from the White House about Kagan and her diversity track record as dean of Harvard Law School, they are failing the people they say they represent."

Diversity became an issue with Kagan for another reason.  CBS News reports Kagan is openly gay.  A report, the White House quickly dismissed and denied.  The Huffington Post’s Joan Garry, herself gay, takes issue with the White House for that.

"I expect better [from the Obama administration].  What does better look like? Stay on a message. Plain and simple. 'Ms. Kagan's sexual orientation is absolutely irrelevant to her qualifications to serve as the next Supreme Court Justice of the United States.'"

But Kagan’s stance of barring military recruiters while Dean of Harvard Law because of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” is sure to be at the center of confirmation hearings, says The Washington Post's Eva Rodriguez.

"Expect Republicans to attack Kagan for attempting to bar military recruiters from the Harvard Law campus a few years ago when Kagan was dean. This issue was front-and-center during Kagan's confirmation hearing last year for her current post."

But on NBC's Today Show, Tom Goldstein, a blogger for scotusblog.com says, because Kagan has never before been a judge, it might just streamline the process -- reducing criticism of her past record.

"There's such a bitter political atmosphere here in Washington that if she had talked about abortion, affirmative action, religion;  inevitably, that would have just turned into a fight over hot-button social issues, so I think they're glad to be able to have a focused confirmation hearing that says this is a person who is really smart who has a valuable body of experience but let's not have a huge debate over abortion in America.”

So what do you think? Is Elena Kagan a good choice for the Supreme Court?  Or can the president do better?

WRITER/PRODUCER: Newsy Staff