Here is the Democrats’ strategy: (It might work.)
Delaying the hearings until January 9th means that the Left will be able to raise 20 to 40 million dollars on campaign ads smearing Alito’s name.
The Democrats are united in withholding a decision on Alito (including a decision on whether to participate in a filibuster against the nomination) until the hearings start.
By January 9th, polling will show that a majority of people (after watching all of the attack ads) are opposed to the confirmation of Alito and a majority of people polled support a filibuster.
The Democrat leadership will turn the screws against their moderate members to support the filibuster. They will succeed. Less than 60 US Senators will vote for cloture.
The constitutional option will have to be used.
http://www.confirmthem.com/?p=1868#comment-73193
I agree with that assessment.
The closer the hearings and confirmation vote are to the 2006 election season, the more the Rat base will demand a filibuster.
The Rat leadership will be unable to "call off the dogs" even if they tried. The Rat base ARE dogs. It's what they do.
The ultimate fate of the "nuclear" option will rest in the hands of McCain and one or two other RINOs.
The Democrats are united in withholding a decision on Alito (including a decision on whether to participate in a filibuster against the nomination) until the hearings start.
IIRC, many of the Right To Take Life Senators have already declared opposition.
Since Ben Nelson (D-Nb) is a pro-life from a pro-life state, I don't see how a PR scare scares him.
I see 63 votes to confirm.