Washington, D.C. ? Leading Republican senators on Sunday questioned whether Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan could be an impartial judge as they tried to inject some drama into her upcoming confirmation hearing.

Democrats praised Kagan’s record and predicted she will win confirmation as the 112th justice — and only the court’s fourth woman. President Barack Obama, meanwhile, dismissed GOP-led criticism of Kagan as “pretty thin gruel.”

The Senate Judiciary Committee begins the weeklong hearing today. Kagan is not expected to face questions until Tuesday.

Sen. Jeff Sessions of Alabama, the top Republican on the committee, said Kagan’s nomination has “real problems” that she will have to address.