Attempt to block nomination fails as filibuster is defeated

A coalition of Democrats feared Alito would be hostile to civil rights claims.
CHICAGO TRIBUNE
WASHINGTON -- A last-minute attempt to block Samuel Alito's nomination to the Supreme Court failed Monday as a Democratic-led filibuster was defeated 72-25, paving the way for the conservative judge to be confirmed by the Senate before President Bush's State of the Union address tonight.
At the close of a bitter day of debate over the changing direction of the court, at least 57 senators had committed to vote for Alito's nomination -- including four Democrats -- which all but guarantees that the appellate judge will become the nation's 110th Supreme Court justice.
A coalition of Democrats, led by Sens. Edward Kennedy and John Kerry of Massachusetts, argued forcefully that a lifetime appointment of Alito could erase the progress the nation has made in recent decades on matters of social justice. They also feared Alito would be hostile to civil rights claims.
"This is a battle that needs to be fought," Kennedy said. "This vote we are casting on Samuel Alito is going to have echoes for years and years to come."
In the end, 19 Democrats sided with Republicans to oppose the filibuster effort. Despite the failed attempt, Kerry declared: "Trying everything in our power to stop an ideological coup on the Supreme Court was the right thing to do."
Bush, who nominated Alito to succeed Sandra Day O'Connor, issued a statement Monday night to reaffirm his support for the former Reagan administration lawyer who has served 15 years on the U.S. Appeals Court.
Criticism
Even though Alito's confirmation has seemed all but certain, liberal groups aggressively criticized Senate Democrats for failing to mount vigorous opposition to the nominee. Democrats needed 41 votes to filibuster Alito, which would have stopped the confirmation from taking place before the State of the Union address.
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Arlen Specter, R-Pa., chastised some Democrats for their harsh words against Alito. Specter, who supports abortion rights, expressed frustration with liberal groups who had wanted assurances from Alito that he would not overturn Roe vs. Wade, the landmark 1973 decision guaranteeing a woman's constitutional right to an abortion.
"It is a heavy responsibility to cast a vote on a Supreme Court nominee, especially one who is taking the place of Justice O'Connor -- a swing vote," Specter said.