Sen. David Vitter, R-La., right, meets with Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito on Capitol Hill, Friday, Nov. 18, 2005.

The ASSociated Press has Biden: Chance of Alito Filibuster Higher

The views that Samuel Alito expressed on reapportionment in a 20-year- old document could jeopardize his Supreme Court nomination and provoke a filibuster, a leading Democratic senator said Sunday.

“I think he’s got a lot of explaining to do, and depending on how he does, I think will determine whether or not he has a problem or not,” said Sen. Joseph Biden, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, which plans confirmation hearings in early January.

In 1985, Alito was applying to become deputy assistant attorney general in the Reagan administration. In the document, he boasted that while working as an assistant to the solicitor general, he helped “to advance legal positions in which I personally believe very strongly.”

Drawing the most attention from Alito’s critics today is his comment on abortion.

“I am particularly proud of my contributions in recent cases in which the government argued that racial and ethnic quotas should not be allowed and that the Constitution does not protect a right to an abortion,” wrote Alito, now a federal appeals court judge.

Flap encourages SLOW JOE BIDEN to filibuster Alito.

The Republican majority will change the rules and Alito will be confirmed.

End of whine after whine story from Biden and crew.

Just a reminder of the Senate Judiciary vote on Chief Justice John Roberts…..

The five Democrats who voted against confirmation are:

Joe Biden of Delaware

Dianne Feinstein of California

Dick Durbin of Illinois

Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts

Charles Shumer of New York

Biden’s arguments against Judge Alito are an EXCUSE not rationale.

Judge Samuel Alito, left, President Bush’s nominee to join the Supreme Court, meets with Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., in her Capitol Hill office, Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2005. Documents released Monday show Alito in 1985 telling the Reagan administration he was particularly proud to help argue that ‘the Constitution does not protect a right to an abortion,’ a statement senators want to know more about before voting on his candidacy for the Supreme Court. Feinstein is the only woman on the Senate Judiciary Committee.

The ASSociated Press Alito Downplays 1985 Abortion Statement

Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito distanced himself Tuesday from his 1985 comments that there was no constitutional right to abortion, telling a senator in private that he had merely been “an advocate seeking a job.”

Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., an abortion rights supporter and the only woman on the Senate Judiciary Committee, said she asked the conservative judge about a document released Monday showing Alito in 1985 telling the Reagan administration he was particularly proud to help argue that “the Constitution does not protect a right to an abortion.”

“He said first of all it was different then,” she said. “He said, ‘I was an advocate seeking a job, it was a political job and that was I’m now a judge, I’ve been on the circuit court for 15 years and it’s very different. I’m not an advocate, I don’t give heed to my personal views, what I do is interpret the law.”

Absolutely……

In a file photo Judge Samuel Alito smiles during a meeting with Sen. Joseph Lieberman, D-Conn., on Capitol Hill, Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2005 in Washington, to discuss Alito’s nomination to the Supreme Court. Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito wrote in 1985 that he was proud of his Reagan-era work helping the government argue that ‘the Constitution does not protect a right to an abortion,’ documents showed Monday, Nov. 14, 2005.

The ASSociated Press has Documents Reveal Alito’s Abortion View

Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito boasted about his work arguing that “the Constitution does not protect a right to an abortion” while trying to become a deputy assistant attorney general in the Reagan administration, according to documents released Monday.

Alito, a federal appellate judge nominated by President Bush to the nation’s highest court, was a young lawyer working for the solicitor general’s office in 1985 when he applied for the position under Attorney General Edwin Meese.

As part of his application, Alito sent a document saying his work in the solicitor general’s office had included helping “to advance legal positions in which I personally believe very strongly.”

“I am particularly proud of my contributions in recent cases in which the government argued that racial and ethnic quotas should not be allowed and that the Constitution does not protect a right to an abortion,” he wrote.

So…….

His mother already weighed in with the DEEP revelation that he is against abortion.

But, both do not mean much……. wait for the hearings………..

Judge Samuel Alito, left, meets with Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., on Capitol Hill, Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2005, to discuss Alito’s nomination to the Supreme Court.

The ASSociated Press has Senate’s ‘Gang of 14’ Fractures Over Alito.

The 14 centrists who averted a Senate breakdown over judicial nominees last spring are showing signs of splintering on President Bush’s latest nominee for the Supreme Court.

That is weakening the hand of Democrats opposed to conservative judge Samuel Alito and enhancing his prospects for confirmation.

The unity of the seven Democrats and the seven Republicans in the “Gang of 14” was all that halted a major filibuster fight between GOP leader Bill Frist and Democratic leader Harry Reid earlier this year over Bush’s nominees.

Will the Democrats risk losing more Senate seats in 2006 by filibustering Alito?

The early defection of two of the group’s Republicans, Mike DeWine of Ohio and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, will give the GOP the upper hand if Democrats decide to attempt a filibuster of Alito, the New Jersey jurist nominated Monday to replace Sandra Day O’Connor.

Flap handicaps a 50-50 chance of a Democrat filibuster of Alito.

If the Nuclear-Constitutional Rule Change option is not enacted, cloture does not pass, and the filibuster is sustained then Bush nominates Judge Luttig.

Another filibuster?

Associate Justice of the Supreme Court nominee Judge Samuel Alito (C) along with his wife and children view the casket containing the body of civil rights activist Rosa Parks while it lays in honor inside the Capitol Rotunda in Washington, October 31, 2005.

Is Samuel Alito a STEALTH Candidate for the U.S. Supreme Court who closely guards or hides his views on abortion?

Alito’s politically conservative views were not in dispute. “Of course he’s against abortion,” his 90-year-old mother Rose told reporters at her home in Hamilton, N.J. The Drudge Report link is here.

Flap supposes NOT.

U.S. President Bush, left, shakes hands with judge Samuel Alito after he announced him as his Supreme Court nominee in the Cross Hall of the White House Monday, Oct. 31, 2005 in Washington.

Hugh Hewitt has a new poll:

Are you pleased with President Bush’s nomination of Sam Alito?

Yes
No

If Senate Democrats filibuster Alito, would you favor invoking the Constitutional Option?

Yes
No

Select Your State:
ALAKAZARCACOCTDEDCFLGAHIIDILINIAKSKYLAMEMDMAMIMNMSMOMTNENVNHNJNMNYNCNDOHOKORPARISCSDTNTXUTVTVAWAWVWIWY

Get Over There and……..

Vote NOW!

Flap knows you will be glad you did.

Check out the results here.

The People for the American Way have responded to President Bush’s nomination today of Judge Samuel Alito to replace retiring Justice Sandra Day O’Connor to the United States Supreme Court, Bush Puts Demands of Far-Right Above Interests of Americans with High Court Nomination of Right-Wing Activist Alito.

PFAW will wage massive national effort to defeat nominee who would dramatically shift balance of Court

President Bush put the demands of his far-right political base above Americans’ constitutional rights and legal protections by nominating federal appeals court Judge Samuel Alito to replace retiring Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, said People For the American Way President Ralph G. Neas. “Right-wing leaders vetoed Miers because she failed their ideological litmus test. With Judge Alito, President Bush has obediently picked a nominee who passes that test with flying colors.”

“We had hoped President Bush would nominate someone with a commitment to protecting Americans’ rights and freedoms,” said Neas. “That’s what the American people want, and it’s what they deserve. Unfortunately, with Judge Alito, that’s not what President Bush has given us. He has chosen to divide Americans with a nominee guaranteed to cause a bitter fight.”

Neas said that People For the American Way will mobilize its 750,000 members and activists to wage a massive national effort to defeat Alito’s nomination and will work closely with its coalition partners to educate Americans about the threats posed by this nomination.

Bring it On!

President Bush watches Judge Samuel A. Alito of the U.S. Court of Appeals in Philadelphia speak after he announced him as his new nominee for the Supreme Court, Monday, Oct. 31, 2005, in the Cross Hall in the White House.

They Said It!: Sens. Ted Kennedy (D-MA), Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), And Former Sen. Bill Bradley (D-NJ) On Samuel Alito.

SEN. TED KENNEDY (D-MA): “You Have Obviously Had A Very Distinguished Record, And I Certainly Commend You For Long Service In The Public Interest. I Think It Is A Very Commendable Career And I Am Sure You Will Have A Successful One As A Judge.” (Sen. Ted Kennedy, Committee On The Judiciary, U.S. Senate, Hearing, 4/5/90)

SEN. FRANK LAUTENBERG (D-NJ): “I Believe Mr. Alito Has The Experience And The Skills To Be The Kind Of Judge The Public Deserves – One Who Is Impartial, Thoughtful, And Fair. I Urge The Senate To Confirm His Nomination.” (Sen. Frank Lautenberg, Congressional Record, 4/27/90, p. S5281)

FORMER SEN. BILL BRADLEY (D-NJ): “[T]he Confirmation Of Sam Alito As U.S. Attorney For New Jersey Is Testimony To The Commitment He Has Shown And The Success Of His Efforts As A Law Enforcement Official. I Am Confident That He Will Continue To Do All He Can To Uphold The Laws Of This Nation With The Kind Of Determination And Vigor That Has Been His Trademark In The Past.” (Sen. Bill Bradley, Congressional Record, 12/8/87, p. S17427)

But Chuckie Schumer is already talking about a filibuster and Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid wonders if Alito is too RADICAL for the American people.

Judge Alito has twice been confirmed unanimously by the U.S. Senate.

Now the Borking will begin from the LEFT.

Real Clear Politics has set up an Alito resource page.

This undated photo provided by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit shows Judge Samuel A. Alito of the U.S. Court of Appeals in Philadelphia. President Bush is nominating Samuel Alito to the Supreme Court, The Associated Press has learned, choosing a long-time federal judge embraced by judicial conservatives to replace retiring Justice Sandra Day O’Connor.

The ASSociated Press has Bush Picks Alito for Supreme Court.

President Bush has nominated conservative judge Samuel Alito to replace moderate Justice
Sandra Day O’Connor in a bid to reshape the Supreme Court and mollify his political base.

The Lefties are already talking filibuster.

Stay tuned.