Despite Opposition, Alito Seems Set for High Court

By John Jessup
Washington Correspondent

CBN.com – (CBN News) - The committee vote for Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito is scheduled for Tuesday, but Democrats are posturing to stall the process.

However, there may be little they can do to thwart Alito's nomination and the changing direction of the courts.

Politicians and analysts agree that Alito appears headed for the Supreme Court bench. And even though his critics acknowledge his qualifications, it may not be enough to avoid some sort of political showdown.

Democrats plan to stall this week's committee vote, and there is still talk of a filibuster.

Alito supporters say that would be unwise.

“If there's a filibuster of this man based on his qualifications, there would be a huge backlash in this country,” Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) said. “The record rejects a filibuster. That would not be advising and consenting. That would be hijacking the election.”

Democrats say it is too early to issue the final verdict on a filibuster.

“Well, the bottom line is, we're still finishing the process. Written questions have to be answered. I submitted a whole bunch. So it's premature to say anything till we fully assess the record,” said Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY).

But that is not a sentiment shared by all who oppose the nomination. California Democrat Senator Dianne Feinstein cautioned against a filibuster on Alito.

Feinstein said, “I do not see a likelihood of a filibuster. This might be a man I disagree with, but it doesn't mean he shouldn't be on the court.”

But Alito's confirmation may represent more than just a new justice on the Supreme Court. It could also mean a turning point for the American judiciary.

Democrats now realize they cannot stop any qualified nominee that President Bush sends up for the Supreme Court in the future. So if the President gets another chance, he could leave a major conservative imprint on the high court.

While some of the issues on the President's agenda may not be going as he would like, he has already successfully appointed a number of conservative federal judges, leaving a lasting judicial legacy. As a former Democratic White House aide put it to the New York Times, "It takes a long time to make these kinds of changes - it's going to take a long time to undo them."

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