You know, I usually disagree with the "I'll vote Green next time" crowd...

[rockymountaindem]

but....

If the Democrats don't at least do *something* to oppose this Alito guy, I'll be very, very disappointed in them. I mean, not enough to vote Green or anything, but that would be a real downer just when things were all coming up roses, what with the deflection of the "Abramoff is a bi-partisan scandal" meme, winning a lot in '05 and things looking good for '06 (not to mention huge fundraising etc.)

I hope the Dems don't let me down, but I don't know if I should trust them on this or not.

[TayTay]

1. I thought they were stronger today in questioning.

I also think they have to wait until after the formal hearings are over before they can publicly announce their votes for or against him. (Ahm, you have to hear the guy out in his hearing first.)

It was my understanding, and I could very well be wrong, that the formal vote is scheduled for next week. (Though I read somewhere that the Dems were trying to delay this.) Give it some time. The strategy should crystalize soon enough. (If indeed there is one. What I see as a nominee to fight to the death against, other may not. I can actually see some of that point as well.)

[Dr Ron]

2. Not the key issue

The real issue is not how the Democrats fight Alito, but what type of Supreme Court nominees there would be if the Democrats were in power.

That doesn't mean you can't criticize what the Democrats do in fighting Alito, but voting for the Greens would not be a rational response as the ultimate effect would be to just increase the Republican hold and increase the number of Alitos nominated.

Personally, unless there is a real bombshell, I don't think there is any hope of stopping Alito. I think that the real concentration shouldn't be on stopping Alito but in informing the voters that this is the consequence of voting Republican. Make the voters realize that if they vote for Republican Presidents, we will have a Supreme Court full of people who oppose freedoms such as right to choose on abortion and we will have a Supreme Court which will allow unrestrained Presidential power. If they vote for a Republican Senate, there will be no checks on who the President nominess (unless he makes a really awful choice which even most Republicans question).

[ginnyinWI]

3. agree--they need to expose the rascal

And they are walking a fine line--because if they full-out attack him, it will just blow back on the Dems politically--Alito will get the sympathy of the public. Already the wingnuts are complaining about how disgraceful Kennedy is acting ( Cspan callers). So they have to be cordial and businesslike and still expose Alito's extremism as much as they can without shooting themselves in the foot.