Grassley not revealing views on Kagan

The Des Moines Register subtle criticism of our senior senator:

Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley's vote against Sonia Sotomayor's confirmation to the U.S. Supreme Court last year will be seen as the exception in almost 30 years of support for high court picks if he votes to confirm Elena Kagan this year.

If he doesn't, the no vote would be the Republican lawmaker's second straight Supreme Court rejection, and a signal that his long-held deference to a president's nominees has ebbed.

Grassley has said a power play by Democrats in the Senate during George W. Bush's administration altered somewhat his approach, although he said it is premature to say how he will vote on Kagan.

Grassley vote will signal his approach to court picks