Monday, October 31, 2005
Alito for SCOTUS
Briefly ... the Alito pick looks like a home run for the conservative / libertarian movement, particularly contrasted with the debacle that was the Miers nomination. I'm quite pleased, particularly after reading some excerpts of his opinions. (No, I'm not a lawyer, but constitutional law is and should be accessible to educated non-attorneys.)
Predictions: Alito will be confirmed by the end of the year. No filibuster will be attempted, though the left will raise one hell of a ruckus, trying to equate Alito to Scalia (the "Scalito" refrain is already playing itself out), and possibly reviving the old Bork tactics. I don't expect the committee hearings to have the Bork/Thomas feel, though it won't be nearly as smooth as it was with Roberts. I'd expect the majority of the fight to take place in the media. Finally, I expect Alito to be confirmed with around 60 votes. Regardless, a showdown is coming, and if it can help focus the debate on what precise role the judiciary should hold in our republic, so much the better.
Predictions: Alito will be confirmed by the end of the year. No filibuster will be attempted, though the left will raise one hell of a ruckus, trying to equate Alito to Scalia (the "Scalito" refrain is already playing itself out), and possibly reviving the old Bork tactics. I don't expect the committee hearings to have the Bork/Thomas feel, though it won't be nearly as smooth as it was with Roberts. I'd expect the majority of the fight to take place in the media. Finally, I expect Alito to be confirmed with around 60 votes. Regardless, a showdown is coming, and if it can help focus the debate on what precise role the judiciary should hold in our republic, so much the better.
# posted by Eric @ 2:11 PM 
