Abortion: The Issue That Could K.O. Alito:
Distinguished Track Record Won't Prevent a Fierce Confirmation Battle
The main line of attack by Democratic senators will be Alito's solid law-and-order conservatism, with an emphasis on his position on abortion. Democrats will be assisted by a significant paper trail -- which was lacking for Roberts -- and will come out guns-a-blazing, with much at stake regarding the pivotal Sandra Day O'Connor seat. The retiring justice provided the deciding vote on cases involving important social issues including abortion, affirmative action and separation of church and state.
More analysis from Manny Medrano on the flip.
(snippy)
If confirmed, Alito will have an immediate impact in the abortion area. On Nov. 30, the court hears a case involving New Hampshire's parental notification law. And up for consideration by the Supreme Court is a case involving a federal law that bans partial-birth abortions, which to date has been declared unconstitutional by several lower federal courts.
(snipper)
I predict a bloody hearing that will culminate in a Democratic filibuster and Republicans pulling the nuclear trigger.