NYT: After Alito's Testimony, Democrats Still Dislike Him but Can't Stop Him

New York Times ^ | January 13, 2006 | ADAM NAGOURNEY and NEIL A. LEWIS

[West Coast Conservative]

Judge Samuel A. Alito Jr. completed his testimony at his Supreme Court confirmation hearings on Thursday to a blast of opposition from Democrats, who signaled they would not support him. They also indicated, however, that they saw little chance of blocking his confirmation, even with a filibuster.

Several Democratic senators on the Judiciary Committee took the step of announcing, as Judge Alito sat before them, that they had been alienated by his 18 hours of testimony, which left them with doubts about his credibility, as well as deep concern about his record on abortion rights and his views on the White House's effort to expand the definition of executive power.

It seemed clear that Judge Alito, in contrast to John G. Roberts Jr., will draw few if any Democratic votes in the committee, and when his nomination goes to the full Senate.

"As your testimony in these hearings come to a close, I just have to tell you that I remain very troubled, not by anything in your personal history, so much as by your judicial views," said Senator Charles E. Schumer, Democrat of New York. "Unfortunately, by refusing to confront our questions directly and by giving us responses that really don't illuminate how you really think, as opposed to real answers, many of us have no choice but to conclude that you still embrace those views completely or in large part."

The committee's ranking Democrat, Senator Patrick J. Leahy of Vermont, said after the hearing, "I continue to be worried - and I pressed the questions again today as I have all week long - he is not clear that he would serve to protect America's fundamental rights."

[BobS]

"I guess that last one didn't smell nice"

[Purrcival]

Translation: All of our attacks on Alito's character and credibility fizzled, and we know it, but we WILL NOT LIKE HIM and we WILL NOT VOTE FOR HIM because he was appointed by that eeeeeevil, spying, woman-and-black-hating, environment-ruining, war-mongering, brush-clearing George W. Bush.

Now to put our heads together with the New York Slimes, "Newsweak", SeeBS, etc. and see what we can do to convince the public that they don't like Alito, either.

[ottersnot]

Teddies dog is named splash, how cool is that.

[LegalEagle61]

Let's put fat teddy up on the hot seat and have him explain that little incident at Chappaquidick....how dare he question ANY one else's integrity when HE should be in prison sharing a cell with big Buford!

[BobS]

NO! I want him to replace Howard Dean as head of the DNC. I want him on TV all the time:)

[LegalEagle61]

Yeah, having him on tv all the time will real send the dims to their doom! LOL It has been fun watching them make asses of themselves...

[HapaxLegamenon]

Media Bias Alert

The NYT writes: "It seemed clear that Judge Alito, in contrast to John G. Roberts Jr., will draw few if any Democratic votes in the committee, and when his nomination goes to the full Senate"

Did Roberts get any votes in the commitee? If he did, it certainly wasn't more than one or two.

[HapaxLegamenon]

Several Democratic senators on the Judiciary Committee took the step of announcing, as Judge Alito sat before them, that they had been alienated by his 18 hours of testimony...

Does anyone really believe they started with an open mind or that Alito could have done anything to get them to vote for him?

[LaineyDee]

Did they ever let the poor guy actually attempt to answer anything?

[BobS]

That's the point. No legal action needed. Promote them as much and as thorough as they want to be promoted.

They aren't getting their message out.

[Berlin_Freeper]

Remember all during the campaigning for the 2004 election the LibIdiot Media was going full throttle craphead hysterical about "this being the most important election in US modern history" and "this election like no other will shape the country for a long time to come."

Then as soon as President Bush won re-election with the most votes for any President in US History, the LibIdiot Media totally stopped talking about "this was the most important election in US modern history" and immediately started with their fake polls alleging that Americans are against President Bush.

Well I totally agree that was the most important election for several reasons and Alito is an important part of our well earned victory. But it's interesting that the LibIdiot Media never put Alito in terms of the hysterics they were having. Once President Bush won, they never again want to admit how important it was but rather fake polls against President Bush.

[mhx]

She's one ugly ************

[BobS]

"Did they ever let the poor guy actually attempt to answer anything?"

Yes. He did answer thoroughly.

When his wife left the place crying, it was over for them. That is not what a hearing is for. Millions of people are not feeling very good about this unprofessional behavior by democrats. People just wanted to learn about Alito and they are dismayed at this.

[BobS]

The lib media is not taken seriously here anymore. There are other ways of getting information besides the old TV networks and old newspapers. Too many lies and cover-ups and crimes by them have caused newspapers to close plants and TV news ratings are down.

They can't influence public opinion anymore. It's over and they don't know it. The economy is going full speed and to them it's in a recession because they are losing their jobs.

[BushCountry]

Did Roberts get any votes in the commitee? If he did, it certainly wasn't more than one or two.
_________________________________

Roberts got three of the eight democratic votes. He will prob get two this time. Big contrast according to the NY Times.

[Chunga]

Why do you think he'll get two Democrat votes in committee?

[devolve]

[goldstategop]

They have closed minds those intellectual pygmies. They're so worried about abortion they disregard the fact they're aborting their future voters out of existence. Quite frankly, let em have at it. The Democrats are history's losers.

(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie. Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")

[MNJohnnie]

So does anyone else think the Dems will now filibuster? Listen to the spin coming out of the Dems? It is EXACTLY the same talking points they used to justify filibustering Estrada. Everyone tells me I am nuts, but I think they will filibuster. Everyone assumes the Senators have the same impression we have of how poorly they did. Considering how insulated they are, how they live in their own little bubble world, I bet all they are hearing is how they have to "get" Alito no matter what. I think they are completely clueless as to how much damage they did to themselves.

[KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle]

The chances of a Democratic filibuster faded after the third day of hearings, as a spokeswoman for Senator Olympia J. Snowe of Maine, a moderate Republican, announced that Ms. Snowe would oppose it.

Good.