H3

1
a) Race or Sex, Age, and Political Ideology
b) Race or Sex provides diversity for the Supreme Court. The Court, in order to be representative of the people of America, need to be an accurate mirror of the citizens. Age is important for two reasons: the first is that with age comes experience, and with the experience one can predict how a judge may vote in the future. The second is that you do not want a very very old judge who is about to die. Political Ideology is taken into account for nomination because the President wants a judge who will vote in line with his ideology. It also ensures that the president's party will be represented even after the president is gone.
c) Sex is demonstrated in Kagan's nomination because she makes three women on the court, which is the first time that has ever happened. Because this nation is more than 50% female... this nomination is pushing us towards a more accurately representative court.

2
a) Two ways interest groups can take part in the nomination are sending out letters that support or degrade the nominee to their members or constituents and they also help lobbying for a nominee by talking to members of the Senate.  
b) The letters have been used to smear potential nominee's reputation, or to bring up a potential error in their background (for example: Thomas' potential sexual harassment?). Lobbying influences the members of the Senate to vote either way for a nominee, and of course it is up to the Senate to confirm. 
c) This is an example of an interest group involving themselves in Elena Kagan's confirmation. ""Ensure Elena Kagan gets a fair hearing," blares a headline on the website of NARAL Pro-Choice America. "The future of women's access to abortion hangs in the balance," the group tells visitors to the site, asking them to urge senators to inquire about Kagan's stance on the Roe v. Wade decision that established abortion rights." NARAL Pro-Choice America lobbied members of the Senate to ensure that Kagan got the seat.