In what should come as a shock to absolutely nodody, Elena Kagan's newly surfaced college thesis centered on socialism...and not in a critical way.

In it, she thanks her brother, "whose involvement in radical causes led me to explore the history of American radicalism in the hope of clarifying my own political ideas."

An in part of her conclusion, she states:

The story is a sad but also a chastening one for those who, more than half a century after socialism's decline, still wish to change America. Radicals have often succumbed to the devastating bane of sectarianism; it is easier, after all, to fight one's fellows than it is'to battle an entrenched and powerful' foe. Yet if 'the history of Local New York shows anything, it is that American radicals cannot afford to become their own worst enemies. In unity lies their only hope.

Workers of the world unite!

In other words, she basically laments the fact that too many liberal/socialist bretheren here in American can't stop fighting among themselves long enough to impose socialist purity on their country.

Of course, you have to appreciate the ironic situation this presents to liberal (such as those at the Washington Post) who attempted to crucify Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell over his college senior thesis in his campaign late last year.

For their part, liberals are sure to ignore it, just as they ignore anything else that points to their hypocrisy.  read more »

So, now that Obama's made his pick, we'll waste no time beginning that great American parlor game, the office pool.  Or in this case, poll.

We've set up a new poll for you to vote on whether or not Kagan gets confirmed and how many votes she'll receive - if she gets to a vote.

Once you in the poll, add a comment with your entry for the EXACT vote count (along with your "real" name and email address).  The closest entry will win a free copy of "The Beginner's Guide to Grassroots Politics", (Level 1 in our Grassroots Training Series).

Here are your choices:

• Yes (she'll get between 80 and 100 votes)
• Yes (she'll get between 60 and 80 votes)
• Yes (she'll get a bare majority)
• No (she doesn't get a majority of the vote)
• No (her nomination will be withdrawn)