The "elitists" don't decide who is best qualified, the President does. If he decides he wants an 18 year high school co-ed because she understands how young people feel, unless the Senate shoots him down, he can do that.
The fact that he picked a Christian woman with a law degree and experience clerking at the Federal court level should be comforting under that prism. I just think she should be given her chance instead of shot down as a "cleaning lady."
The Senate does. That's the "advise & consent" part that appears between "nominate" and "appoint."
Who said the President isn't "entitled" to pick whomever he wants? I don't agree with his choice, or his statements, that's she's the BEST qualified to put forth conservative constitutional values nor a conservative constitutional social agenda for the country. She lacks experience and knowledge of the constitution and with what IS known about her background, her conservativism is questionable.