Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito walks into the office of Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) on Capitol Hill, January 30, 2006. (Jason Reed/Reuters)
Posted on 01/31/2006 3:44:53 AM PST by Libloather
U.S. Senate set to confirm Alito to Supreme Court
By Thomas Ferraro
1 hour, 22 minutes ago
Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito walks into the office of Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) on Capitol Hill, January 30, 2006. (Jason Reed/Reuters)
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Conservative federal appeals court judge Samuel Alito appeared certain to win Senate confirmation on Tuesday as President George W. Bush's second successful nominee to the Supreme Court.
Following several days of debate, the Senate was to vote on Alito, who could move the high court to the right. Alito had a commitment from a required simple majority of senators to be approved.
But the vote was certain to be largely along party lines and closer than the 78-22 tally John Roberts, Bush's first high-court nominee, received in September in being approved as U.S. chief justice.
Alito, 55, would replace retiring Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, a moderate conservative who often has been the nine-member court's swing vote on abortion, civil rights and other social issues.
Alito was expected to be sworn in before Bush, who promised to put conservatives on the federal bench, gives his State of the Union address to Congress on Tuesday night.
The Senate on Monday soundly defeated a Democratic bid to stop Alito with a procedural hurdle known as a filibuster.
On a vote of 72-25 -- 12 more than the 60 that were needed -- the Senate approved a motion to end debate and move to a confirmation vote.
"I am pleased that a strong, bipartisan majority in the Senate decisively rejected attempts to obstruct and filibuster," Bush said in a statement.
"Judge Alito is extraordinarily well-qualified ... and America is fortunate that this good and humble man is willing to serve," Bush said.
Democratic Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts, who lost the 2004 White House election to Bush, helped lead the failed effort to mount a filibuster against Alito.
Kerry argued that Alito posed a threat to civil rights and abortion rights and would not be an effective check on presidential powers.
Bush nominated Alito after a rebellion within his conservative ranks led to the withdrawal of an earlier high-court candidate, White House counsel Harriet Miers. Critics voiced concern that she lacked the clout and commitment to make the court more conservative.
Conservatives rallied around Alito, who has served since 1990 as a member of the Philadelphia-based 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
I'm loving the apparent rebuke to the slimey effort by Kennedy, Kerry, Feinstein, et al, to filibuster or delay the vote.
Although doubtful, they should be waking up this morning wondering where their influence went.
Would Reuters have said "liberal" had it been a lib pres appointing a lib judge?
Alito, who could move the high court to the right.
Or to the center or not at all.
Alito, 55, would replace retiring Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, a moderate conservative
Well, that's a matter of opinion isn't it?
Reuters puts their slant on everything they write. Sometimes subtle and sometimes not so subtle.
Screw Reuters and the whole MSM. The U.S. is well served with Alito on the Supreme Court.
Good comments. I was going to post the first one myself but you beat me to it.
Gray - my thoughts exactly. Good post.
They got trapped between ultra liberal whiners who just self-destructed and the real world.
Maybe the Democrats can find someone relevant and not insane (ie: Dean) to provide leadership.
They got trapped between ultra liberal whiners who just self-destructed and the real world.
Maybe the Democrats can find someone relevant and not insane (ie: Dean) to provide leadership.
This macro is not on my keyboard. Must need a special J-school keyboard.
He will lead the senators in a massive obstruction effort for the rest of President's Bush's term in office.
With a serious turnout this year, we can minimize Kennedy's corrosive effect, electing more republican senators.
what time is the SOTU anyway and will it be on Fox?
I'm just surprised that Reuters didn't put the prefix "Arch" before "conservative." Their editors are dropping the ball here!
Don't forget the Wicked Witch of NY lost too! She may not be a shoo-in afterall?
Pray for W and Our Freedom Fighters
Rush keeps saying that people significantly overestimate her intelligence.
Oh I don't know. I don't think he'll let Kerry or Hillary get away with anything.
Kerry argued that Alito posed a threat to civil rights and abortion rights and would not be an effective check on presidential powers.
Oh he'll be an effective check on the President......the next time (if there is one) there's a Dim. holding that office.
Respect My Authority!!!
If Cartman would have called for the filibuster, it would have had a better chance.
Poster after poster ironically claims to be either crying their eyes out or puking their guts out over Alito, because they are afraid their children won't be able to have an abortion.
One after another opines that it's so sad "for the children" and that they are hugging their kids close...as if Alito was going to prevent people from having children...and how their kids' future is now so bleak.
"We'll have to get the knitting needles out again" and "Wire coat hangers will be impossible to find" are the first thoughts from these loving mothers. Ironic, isn't it?
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