Well, I was partially right

Last week, I noted, in a half-informed manner, that I thought President Bush would nominate a state supreme court justice from the south or midwest with 15-20 years expereince. In three categories, I got one right. Judge Alito has 15 years experience on the federal bench.

There is a large paper trail, but here are the cases likely to get the most attention:

Judge Alito once ruled that married women who intend to get an abortion must inform their husbands. Sen. Schumer and the pro-choice left are going to go nuts with this, and of course everyone is going to assume that Alito wants to overturn Roe v. Wade. Who knows and really, no one should care, but they will.

Judge Alito once ruled that a NJ township could have a nativity scene and a menora on display. The ACLU will cry that a theocracy is on the way. Of course, it is complete bunk, but that is the fear.

Already, there are indications that the Democrats may be considering a filibuster. According to the AP:

While Alito is expected to win praise from Bush's allies on the right, Democrats have served notice that his nomination would spark a partisan brawl. Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nevada, said Sunday that Alito's nomination would "create a lot of problems." (emphasis added)

With the President's poll numbers in the tank, a filibuster looks like a really good idea to Democrats, but would be perceived by most Americans as petty and unnecessary. Unless the Dems can show that Alito is unqualified to be a Supreme Court Justice, unlikely given his record, then a filibuster is likely to backfire.

My vote prediction: party-line out of the Judiciary Committee

Senate Vote: 68-32.

It is going to be a fun holiday season!!

Linked to OTB.