Here’s the problem: Only Republicans are calling for her recusal.
The Republicans in Congress DO NOT YET RECOGNIZE that the Democrats are not playing the same game by the same rules that they are.
The Democrats don’t want Kagan to recuse herself, BECAUSE THEY BELIEVE IT WOULD BE WRONG.
It would be wrong because the Democrats believe the purpose of Presidential appointment and Senate confirmation of Federal judges is to overthrow the system. THey got Kagan on for exactly this reason.
For Democrats, would make no more sense for her to recuse herself than it would make sense for her to dress in purple underwear and deliver her opinions in Norwegian.
You nailed it.