NYT: After Alito's Testimony, Dems Still Dislike Him but Can't Stop Him

[DeepModem Mom]

After Alito's Testimony, Democrats Still Dislike Him but Can't Stop Him
By ADAM NAGOURNEY and NEIL A. LEWIS
Published: January 13, 2006


WASHINGTON, Jan. 12 - Judge Samuel A. Alito Jr. completed his testimony at his Supreme Court confirmation hearings on Thursday to a blast of opposition from Democrats, who signaled they would not support him. They also indicated, however, that they saw little chance of blocking his confirmation, even with a filibuster.

Several Democratic senators took the step of announcing, as Judge Alito sat before them, that they had been alienated by his 18 hours of testimony, which left them with doubts about his credibility, as well as deep concern about his record on abortion rights and his views on the White House's effort to expand the definition of executive power.

It seemed clear that Judge Alito, in contrast to John C. Roberts Jr., will draw few if any Democratic votes in the committee, and when his nomination goes to the full Senate....

***

The chances of a Democratic filibuster faded after the third day of hearings, as a spokeswoman for Senator Olympia Snowe of Maine, a moderate Republican, announced that Ms. Snowe would oppose it. Her decision is pivotal because she was one of seven Republicans who had joined an earlier successful effort to block Republican leaders from changing Senate rules to prevent filibusters against judicial nominations....


http://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/13/politics/politicsspecial1/13confirm.html

[Straight Shooter]

1. Nothing quite like a woman leader abandoning women and other minorities.

Well, she's part of that "IGMFU" group. *barf*

[young_at_heart]

2. The minority party has no clout anymore

One-party rule has literally taken over. We are starting to look more and more like ancient Rome.

[Zen Democrat]

3. Didn't Maine go for Kerry? How safe is Olympia Snowe.

She's supposedly pro-choice, but the whip must have come down hard on this vote. Mainers should throw her out.

[boobooday]

4. Olympia Snow?

Of all people.

[Dr Fate]

5. So we could still call their bluff, force them to go nu-que-lur.

Of course, we wont, I'm just speaking hypothetically, like if we had balls.

[rodeodance]

6. oh my gawed.....Snowe ........

[shance]

7. It's Adam Nagourney writing this.....consider the biased paid for source.

They are in "Operation Shove Alito onto the Bench".

[Erika]

8. Welcome to the GOP world where women will be told by the

government as their productive rights. Snowe is a traitor as to women's rights.

[Wordie]

9. Is there any other Repub who could be convinced to take Snowe's place?

Someone, for instance, concerned about the expansion of presidential powers that Alito would likely support? Has anyone tried to identify such Senators? (I bet Reid is working on this as we speak.)

It's not over 'til it's over.

[JPZenger]

10. Problems With Alito - People for the American Way

Here's a good summary of problems with Alito, from People for the American Way (which was founded by Norman Lear).

http://saveourcourts.civilrights.org/search/details.cfm?id=39156