In His Own Words

"Some commentators are complaining that Judge Samuel Alito Jr.'s confirmation hearings have not been exciting, but they must not have been paying attention. We learned that Judge Alito had once declared that Judge Robert Bork - whose Supreme Court nomination was defeated because of his legal extremism - "was one of the most outstanding nominees" of the 20th century. We heard Judge Alito refuse to call Roe v. Wade "settled law," as Chief Justice John Roberts did at his confirmation hearings. And we learned that Judge Alito subscribes to troubling views about presidential power." [NYT]

Never mind any concerns over his record, he is still headed toward confirmation.

"Several committee Democrats made it clear they were not inclined to vote for Alito, including Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts and Charles Schumer of New York. After four days of hearings, there are "even more questions about Judge Alito's commitment to the fairness and equality for all," Kennedy said. The Democrats repeatedly attacked Alito's decisions as a judge on the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals and his writings while a lawyer for the Reagan administration — including a 1985 statement saying the Constitution did not protect the right to an abortion — and they highlighted his membership in an organization that discouraged the admission of women and minorities at Princeton University." [Yahoo]

A lot has been written about Judge Alito, not all of it fair. But, this man is seemingly a wolf in sheep's clothing. When asked about his previous experience, he hid. When asked about his membership in "Concerned Alumni of Princeton - a group whose offensive views about women, minorities and AIDS victims were discussed in greater detail at yesterday's hearing - is also deeply troubling, as is his unconvincing claim not to remember joining it." What else is he hiding?

There is no vote more important than that for a lifetime appointment to the Supreme Court (except a vote for war). Let's hope our Senators slow down and make the educated choice, not the rushed, partisan one.