Alito: Shoo-in

Senators Praise Nominee's Candor
Alito Shows Willingness to Discuss Controversial Issues Facing Supreme Court

By Charles Babington
Washington Post Staff Writer
Saturday, November 5, 2005; Page A07

In private meetings with senators, Supreme Court nominee Samuel A. Alito Jr. has shown a willingness to discuss key issues -- a potentially risky strategy that so far seems to be serving him well, several senators said.

On contentious issues including privacy, property rights and public displays of religious beliefs, Alito has been more willing to share personal or judicial thoughts than were recently confirmed Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. and White House counsel Harriet Miers, whose nomination was withdrawn, these senators said.

Alito stopped short of signaling how he might rule on cases before the court, they said, but he seemed less worried that insights into his thinking might be used against him in the Judiciary Committee hearing, to begin Jan. 9.

For example, committee Chairman Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) said in an interview yesterday that Alito "was more forthcoming in talking about Casey " -- a 1991 ruling in which an appellate court struck down a Pennsylvania law that required married women to inform their husbands before having an abortion.

Alito dissented in the case, arguing that few married women have abortions without telling their husbands, and that the requirement was not an "undue burden." The dissent was narrowly drawn, Specter said, adding that Alito is smart to explain his thinking on such matters in courtesy calls to senators.

"I think it's going to be helpful for him when he's more forthcoming," the chairman said. "He makes dissents on very narrow grounds, which is ideal for a judge. . . . He is what he is, and he can talk about what he is."

Alito is the best nominee yet. He is going to be approved with no problems. Another major blow to the cry-babies on the Left. BoomanTribune, kailyKos, and DemocraticUnderground are all going to be unbearable with all of the whining and moaning. Doom and Gloom. Well what do you expect from Liberals. There is no silver-lining they can't tarnish.

Full Story: Alito Impressive

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