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Bush's nominee for Supreme Court grilled

Jamie Wilson

Democrats attack views on privacy, abortion

Washington: The Senate showdown over the nomination of Samuel Alito to the Supreme Court began on Monday with Democrats signalling their intent to haul the conservative judge over the coals for his views on abortion rights and executive power.

On the first day of what is expected to be a bruising week of hearings, Mr Alito sat stony faced as all 18 members of the Judiciary Committee made 10-minute opening statements. It was followed by a statement from Mr Alito, whose appointment would represent an ideological swing to the Right in the makeup of America's highest court.

Barring any major revelations or a stumbling performance before the committee, Mr Alito is expected to win a majority in the Republican-controlled Senate. However, the vote is likely to be much closer than the 78-22 majority that passed the nomination of the new Chief Justice, John Roberts, in September and Democrats have not ruled out attempting a filibuster — a politically risky delaying tactic — to try to stop the confirmation.

Democrats went on the offensive during their opening statements, promising to question Mr Alito about constitutional powers, the right to privacy, equal rights and abortion. ``Your record raises troubling questions about whether you appreciate the checks and balances in our Constitution — the careful efforts of our Founding Fathers to protect us from a government or a President determined to seize too much power over our lives,'' said Democratic Senator Dick Durbin.

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© Guardian Newspapers Limited 2004

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