ALITO: Unanimous Judiciary Dem. Oppostion Expected

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"Expect" is the key word in the following:

All 10 Republicans -- including chairman Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania, the committee's lone GOP abortion rights supporter -- announced their support soon after Alito finished his confirmation hearings earlier this month. That guarantees he'll have a positive recommendation from the panel when the Senate begins final debate Wednesday.

Democrats agree that Alito is smart, but they are worried about how he will rule if confirmed.
Half of the committee's eight Democrats -- Patrick Leahy of Vermont, Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts, Dick Durbin of Illinois and Dianne Feinstein of California -- have announced their opposition to his nomination. Many expect the others -- Herb Kohl and Russ Feingold, both of Wisconsin, Joseph R. Biden Jr. of Delaware and Charles Schumer of New York to join them in opposition.

In previous judicial battles, a 10-8 party line vote would be the first sign of the possibility of a Democratic-led filibuster. But Democrats are not expected to try one with Alito, a former federal prosecutor and lawyer for the Reagan administration.

After the committee votes, Alito's nomination goes to the full Senate for a final vote later this week. Republicans want Alito on the Supreme Court before Bush gives his State of the Union address on Jan. 31.

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2006/01/23/alito_poised_to_win_senate_panel_approval/

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1. is this old news or something? nt.