The Battle For The Moderates Is On

over the Alito nomination.

Those who oppose his nomination need the moderate Republican Senators to vote him down.

WASHINGTON: Maine's Republican senators, who will be pivotal in the contested Supreme Court nomination of Judge Samuel Alito, reacted cautiously Monday on the confirmation process ahead. "What I most hope is that this debate over one of the most important positions in our country can be conducted in a fair and civil manner," said Sen. Susan Collins. "The outside groups on both sides are so eager for a battle royal that it worries me that the debate may degenerate into an unpleasant, bitter, divisive and partisan showdown."

unfortunately, the demanding tone of the right has already assured that it will be both bitter and divisive.

Of course, those who want Alito are also making moves on moderate Democrats from republican leaning states, trying to move them into the supporters camp.

WASHINGTON; Supreme Court nominee Samuel A. Alito Jr. launched his campaign Tuesday to court lawmakers who could prove crucial to his confirmation; moderate Democrats such as Sen. Tim Johnson of South Dakota, who found himself near the top of the judge's meet-and-greet list.

Johnson, who rarely attracts national attention, seemed to relish being the first Democrat outside the party's leadership with whom Alito met. The senator was so far down Harriet E. Miers' list of courtesy calls that she had withdrawn her nomination to the high court before their scheduled session.

What will be closely followed, but seldom mentioned, is what the polling is telling each of these moderate voices. Some of the early Gallop polls indicate that, in perception at least, Alito is much close to Miers than Roberts at this point.

Some key points.

About the same number of Americans rate Alito's selection either excellent or good (43%) as rate it fair or poor (39%). Miers received a similar rating, but Roberts' rating was somewhat more positive: 51% excellent or good, 34% fair or poor.


If it becomes clear Alito would vote to reverse Roe v. Wade, Americans would not want the Senate to confirm him, by 53% to 37%.

So it is clear that the line of attack that Democrats must use is his position on this. His early writings do indicate that he will be a vote to end the legal protection that Rove affords. If the public become convinced of this, he will follow Miers off into the sunset.

Other good news for the Democrats.

If most Senate Democrats oppose the nomination and decide to filibuster against Alito, 50% of Americans believe they would be justified, while 40% say they would not.

If the Republicans then decide to eliminate the filibuster on judicial nominations, to ensure an "up-or-down vote" on the nomination, Americans would be evenly divided as to whether that tactic was justified -- 45% say it would be, 47% say it would not.

The American public are far more supportive of their options that of those of the Republicans.