Believe it. They're that dishonest.
Here's how today's New York Times reports it:
"The Democrats' questions and implications about her husband's record appeared to get to Judge Alito's wife, Martha-Ann. She began crying as Senator Lindsey Graham, Republican of South Carolina, defended her husband's character and rejected any suggestion that his membership in the alumni group made him a bigot, Mrs. Alito retreated to an anteroom, sobbing for some minutes.
"Let me tell you, this guilt by association is going to drive good men and women away from wanting to sit where you're sitting," Mr. Graham said.
Democrats and their aides on the committee said they were resigned to the fact that Judge Alito would win approval on the committee with its 10-member Republican majority. All eight Democrats appear likely to vote against the nomination.
The Democrats' strategy appeared to be aimed at raising questions about the credibility of Judge Alito's explanations about the alumni group and recusal that could be used in the confirmation floor debate."
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/12/politics/politicsspecial1/12confirm.html