CBNNews.com - Senate confirmation hearings begin today for President Obama's first judicial nominee - district judge David Hamilton.

Conservative judicial watchdog groups have been sounding the alarm on Hamilton, calling him a "extreme liberal."

They point out that Hamilton was a former ACLU leader.

As a judge, he ordered the Indiana House of Representatives not to allow legislative prayers that mention Jesus but he did allow prayers that mention "Allah."

Judge Hamilton also spent seven years blocking Indiana's informed consent law on abortion. The rulings were eventually overturned.

Matthew Staver of Liberty Counsel says Hamilton should not be given a lifetime appointment to the federal bench.

"So he's indicated, obviously, based on his affiliation with the ACLU and his rulings that he is somebody who believes in abortion and will legislate it from the bench. He's somebody who doesn't understand and respect our history and certainly doesn't respect the original understanding of the constitution," he said.

Staver said his concern is who will serve on the federal bench.

"He is a significant concern and this is the first nomination by President Obama. That is an even greater concern because it looks like these are the kind of individuals that he will be bringing forth as nominees to these federal benches," he added.

Staver said Americans should contact their senators to oppose Hamilton, and send a message to the president not to appoint any more judges like Hamilton.