[hershey]

If they can delay Alito's hearings, it implies Bush is weak...and they can concentrate on their pet project: driving him out of office. A speedy confirmation would emphasize Bush's strength and take headlines away from the Wilson nonsense. This is all about '06 and '08.

[goldstategop]

The Dems strategy is to shut down judicial nominations until 2009. They want to make sure Bush doesn't fill any more vacancies in the federal judiciary for the rest of his term.

("Denny Crane: Gun Control? For Communists. She's a liberal. Can't hunt.")

[djf]

Whether you want to hear it or not, Bush is weak. A lame duck president with many opposed to the war, suffering from controversy about the Plame affair, the rising energy crisis, as well as other issues.

But none of the above should influence or derail the confirmation.