Spring Break
Alito Hearings Show Divide
Andrew Peters
Issue date: 1/18/06 Section: News
With his confirmation at stake, Supreme Court nominee Judge Samuel Alito Jr. vowed to keep an open mind while staying mum on issues from abortion to presidential power during his confirmation hearing this month in Washington.
Alito went through three days of questioning on Capitol Hill. However, some were unsatisified with Alito's responses, unconvinced that they accurately represented his character.
"Judge Alito has the experience we look for in a judge," said David Adams, president of the UConn College Democrats. "On the question of character, however, we have no definitive answer. Through the confirmation hearings Judge Alito consistently dodged questions pertaining to critical issues such as abortion and presidential power because the Senate and public would not tolerate his stated position."
The main worry amongst critics is that Alito will be too conservative a replacement for retired Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, who was a general moderate and case-by-case swing vote.
As was the case with the confirmation of Chief Justice John Roberts, the overruling of the 1973 Roe v. Wade case is specifically feared. Alito had previously expressed his disapproval of the ruling, which established abortion rights for women, but at the hearings did not express an opinion.
Democrats also took objection to Alito's apparent affiliation with the Concerned Alumni of Princeton, a right-wing group with an alleged sexist and racist history. Despite listing CAP on a 1985 job application, Alito denied any link to the club at the hearings.
Though his responses did not satisfy all of the senators, Alito's supporters say he refused to incriminate himself.
"Alito did an excellent job in the confirmation hearings despite the irrational belligerence of select Democrats," said Michael Hubbard, a 6th-semester management major and chairman of the UConn College Republicans. "Senate Democrats are not opposing Alito because of a lack of qualifications, they are opposing him because they are afraid he will not uphold and advance their sacred leftist dogma."
Republicans hold the majority both on the Senate Judicial Committee and the Senate itself; a simple party-line vote would be enough to confirm Alito.
Senators Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.) have indicated that they will delay the confirmation vote, according to cnn.com.
"Choosing the right man or woman [for the Supreme Court] demands a forthright willingness to explain who you are and what you believe in," Adams said. "Judge Alito has failed to do this, and until he does he should not be confirmed."
As far as Alito's supporters are concerned, it's only a matter of time.
"I foresee Alito's confirmation passing the Senate," Hubbard said, "and I hope certain extremists do not embarrass themselves and waste the Senate's valuable time with a filibuster of such a qualified candidate."
Alito went through three days of questioning on Capitol Hill. However, some were unsatisified with Alito's responses, unconvinced that they accurately represented his character.
"Judge Alito has the experience we look for in a judge," said David Adams, president of the UConn College Democrats. "On the question of character, however, we have no definitive answer. Through the confirmation hearings Judge Alito consistently dodged questions pertaining to critical issues such as abortion and presidential power because the Senate and public would not tolerate his stated position."
The main worry amongst critics is that Alito will be too conservative a replacement for retired Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, who was a general moderate and case-by-case swing vote.
As was the case with the confirmation of Chief Justice John Roberts, the overruling of the 1973 Roe v. Wade case is specifically feared. Alito had previously expressed his disapproval of the ruling, which established abortion rights for women, but at the hearings did not express an opinion.
Democrats also took objection to Alito's apparent affiliation with the Concerned Alumni of Princeton, a right-wing group with an alleged sexist and racist history. Despite listing CAP on a 1985 job application, Alito denied any link to the club at the hearings.
Though his responses did not satisfy all of the senators, Alito's supporters say he refused to incriminate himself.
"Alito did an excellent job in the confirmation hearings despite the irrational belligerence of select Democrats," said Michael Hubbard, a 6th-semester management major and chairman of the UConn College Republicans. "Senate Democrats are not opposing Alito because of a lack of qualifications, they are opposing him because they are afraid he will not uphold and advance their sacred leftist dogma."
Republicans hold the majority both on the Senate Judicial Committee and the Senate itself; a simple party-line vote would be enough to confirm Alito.
Senators Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.) have indicated that they will delay the confirmation vote, according to cnn.com.
"Choosing the right man or woman [for the Supreme Court] demands a forthright willingness to explain who you are and what you believe in," Adams said. "Judge Alito has failed to do this, and until he does he should not be confirmed."
As far as Alito's supporters are concerned, it's only a matter of time.
"I foresee Alito's confirmation passing the Senate," Hubbard said, "and I hope certain extremists do not embarrass themselves and waste the Senate's valuable time with a filibuster of such a qualified candidate."