i have noted several dems making similar statements. i think they are setting this up so they can whine and complain about him betraying them after he gets confirmed and they know he will be confirmed.
GWB gets to rally his base if they drag this out, and he wins a long, hard-fought battle for social conservatives.
If the Dems have any brains, they'll whine a little and ASAP approve of Alito, then get to complain about all of the wonderful, constitutional stuff the Supreme Court does to save the nation. (please, please, please....)