Senate Judiciary Committee Prepares To Rock The Vote

Alito prepares to clear the initial non-hurdle in a party line vote-

AP: Republicans to Give Alito Committee Win

You can watch the final statements of the Senate Judiciary Committee live on C-Span now.

Geoffrey R. Stone has his take on Alito on the Huffington Post:

I supported the confirmation of John Roberts and, until recently, the confirmation of Samuel Alito. I have reluctantly come to the conclusion, however, that Judge Alito should not be confirmed, and that this is a matter of real importance to the nation...

...The most fundamental responsibility of the Supreme Court is to preserve both the separation of powers and the individual liberties guaranteed by our Constitution. They are the bulwarks of our freedom. History teaches that these indispensable elements of our constitutional system are most threatened in time of war. Too often in wartime, the President demands excessive authority in his role as "commander-in-chief" and the President and Congress run roughshod over civil liberties in their effort to protect, or appear to protect, the nation...

...Whatever else Judge Alito may or may not have made clear about his views on such issues as abortion, federalism, and religious freedom, he has certainly made clear that he has no interest in restraining the acts of this commander-in-chief. That, in my judgment, poses a serious threat to the nation, and is a more than adequate reason for the Senate -- Republicans and Democrats alike -- to deny his confirmation to the Supreme Court of the United States.

Also- President Bush winks to the anti-abortion crowd as the Alito vote nears:
Bush to anti-abortion activists: 'We will prevail'