Dems Prepare for Alito ‘Armageddon’

By David Brody
Capitol Hill Correspondent

CBN.com – WASHINGTON - Will it be "Armageddon?" That is what one leading senator calls the coming battle over Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito.

Alito returns to Capitol Hill today, shaking hands with the very senators who may play a key role in his bid to be confirmed as the next justice on the court.

But the road ahead is shaping up to be a rough ride.

Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Il) commented, “The President should understand that he can make decisions and move toward conservatives, but if they are too radical and they are going to change the course of the Supreme Court and American history, he's in for a fight.”

In Senate terminology, the definition of "fight" may be synonymous with another word: filibuster.

Already, there is talk among Democrats that a filibuster to block a full Senate vote on the floor is back on the table.

Still, Republicans say they will try to get Alito's nomination to the Senate by the end of the year, and that it is hard to argue against his stellar qualifications.

“He's a real legal scholar beyond any question...think he'll be a very good witness,” remarked Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Sen. Arlen Specter (R-PA).

But while Republicans are enthusiastic about the Alito nomination, Democrats are less than thrilled with the President's selection. They say President Bush caved to the so-called radical right wing of his conservative base and chose someone who would drastically change the dynamics of the court.

Liberals wanted a nominee they consider moderate. And because Alito is up to replace retiring Justice Sandra Day O'Connor - often the pivotal swing vote on controversial issues like abortion, affirmative action, and religion in the public square - some believe a filibuster is in order.

But the White House tells CBN News that would amount to nothing more than partisan politics.

“Even with Judge Bork and Justice Thomas, who had somewhat controversial nominations,” said White House Adviser Ed Gillespie, “no one filibustered those. There was never even talk of a filibuster, so the notion of denying Judge Alito an up-or-down vote on the Senate floor, I don't think would sit well with the American public.”

The fight that is brewing on Capitol Hill will be the last stand. But right now, another fight is in the works -- one that will bring the battle much closer to home for the rest of the country.

With John Roberts and the failed Harriet Miers nomination, both special interest groups on the left and right decided not to spend a whole lot of money on TV advertising. That is going to change with Judge Alito.

Already, People for the American Way say they are going to spend millions of dollars to fight Alito, and Progress for America and Family Research Council, groups on the right, say TV ads are on the way.

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