[Lancey Howard]

He likely had a heads up on this case as he has been a nominee for months. No excuses for first day on the job.

Sorry, no sale. I have a funny feeling that Alito may have been a tad.... distracted.... during the past three months.

[jveritas]

No he did not have to worry about preparing himself to face the democrat inquisition in the Senate, he just said let me read the cases in front of the US supreme court and make a "preliminary" judgment on it. Of course I am being sarcastic here and I agree with your post.

[Don'tMessWithTexas]

Judges are not politicians. They do not think about potential rulings as they await promotion to a higher court. Their rules of conduct require that they consider cases only as they come before them when they are on that court. I am amused that so many are wasting a lot of powder over a procedural ruling like this.