Alito appears headed for confirmation

WASHINGTON - Samuel Alito coasted toward probable confirmation as the 110^th Supreme Court justice Thursday, with the only question after 18 hours of grueling Senate interrogation being how many Democrats would support him.

Alito said nothing to undermine his solid support by the Senate’s majority Republicans during three days of aggressive questioning by Democrats who challenged his creditability, judicial philosophy and independence.

“I am my own person, with whatever abilities I have and whatever limitations I have,” Alito declared as he wrapped up his final public appearance before senators begin voting on his nomination to replace retiring Justice Sandra Day O’Connor.

Democrats contend the former Reagan administration lawyer is likely to swing the court to the right in replacing the centrist O’Connor, who has provided decisive votes on such important issues as abortion, capital punishment and affirmative action.

Judiciary Committee senators will meet on Tuesday to begin debating the 55-year-old federal judge’s nomination. Chairman Arlen Specter, R-Pa., wants a committee vote that day, though Democrats could delay it for a week.

Delay is not likely to change Alito’s support among the Senate’s 55 Republicans. GOP senators, both on and off the committee, praised Alito as his testimony ended.

“I enthusiastically endorse and support Judge Alito’s nomination,” Chuck Hagel of Nebraska said Thursday. Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., noted to the judge that his high school friends “predicted you would serve on the Supreme Court one day, and I think that’s going to turn out to be a good prediction.”

The president called Alito from Air Force One to congratulate him for doing a great job in the hearings, White House spokesman Scott McClellan told reporters. The president, who was traveling to Florida after visiting the hurricane-stricken Gulf Coast, reiterated his appreciation for Alito.

McClellan said the president told Alito that he was proud of the way the nominee handled the hearings.

Alito "showed great class," the president also said in a conversation that McClellan said was brief.

There was positive comment from the Democratic side as well. Sen. Ben Nelson of Nebraska said, “So far I have seen nothing during my interview with the nominee, the background materials that have been produced or through the committee process that I would consider a disqualifying issue against Judge Alito.”

Alito offered words of respect for O’Connor, the woman he would replace. “She has been known for her meticulous devotion to the facts of the particular cases that come before her and her belief that each case needs to be decided on its complex facts,” Alito said.

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