"Early Verdict" on Alito Nomination

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Graham is one of a group of Republicans who have been coaching Alito behind the scenes. The Wall Street Journal's Washington Wire reported before the hearings began:

"On Thursday, Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, one of the 'gang of 14' who sits on Judiciary, joined a so-called moot court session at the White House.''

The coaching session for Alito has raised a few eyebrows.

Blitzer has again accused Democrats -- but not Republicans -- of prejudging Alito's nomination. "Some Democrats are delivering an early verdict on Alito's performance," Blitzer declared, as the onscreen text read "Democrats" and "Early Judgements [sic]." Later, Blitzer suggested that Democrats were using the hearings to mount a case against Alito, rather than to assess his fitness for elevation to the Supreme Court. Blitzer asked: "Are [Democrats] looking for answers? Or for the Supreme Court nominee to stumble?" But Blitzer made no similar comments about Republicans, several of whom have showered Alito with praise and asked him fawning questions.

Similarly, on January 10, Blitzer asked Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA) if he had "already made up [his] mind" to oppose Alito, but Blitzer declined to ask Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN) whether he had already decided to support the nominee, as Media Matters for America noted.

From CNN's January 11 coverage of the Alito hearing:

BLITZER: Some Democrats are delivering an early verdict on Alito's performance. They say his testimony has been too vague, and even contradictory. We'll be watching as the judge tries again to make his case in the hours ahead.
It's 11 a.m. here in Washington, and Democrats are trying again to get more out of Judge Alito. Are they looking for answers? Or for the Supreme Court nominee to stumble?

From Sen. Lindsey O. Graham's (R-SC)
GRAHAM: It's possible you could talk me out of voting for you, but I doubt it. So I won't even try to challenge you along those lines. I feel very comfortable with you being on the Supreme Court based on what I know.
I expect that most all of us, if not all of us, will vote for you. And I would argue that we represent from the center line to the right ditch in our party and, if all of us vote for you, you've got to be pretty mainstream.

From Sen. Charles R. Grassley's (R-IA)
GRASSLEY: I want to remind the American people, this nominee, Judge Alito, has been confirmed unanimously by the United States Senate, not once, but twice. This is a tremendous record of accomplishment and public service, equal to any Supreme Court nominee that I've considered in 25 years I've been on this committee. Not only that, Judge Alito has a reputation for being an exceptional and honest judge devoted to the rule of law, as well as being a man of integrity.

From Sen. Jon L. Kyl's (R-AZ)
KYL: These are the standards for a Supreme Court justice, and you plainly meet these expectations. As a consequence, I view your nomination with a heavy presumption in favor of confirmation.

From Sen. Jeff Sessions's (R-AL)
SESSIONS: I look forward to a vigorous hearing. I'm confident this nominee has the skills and graces to make an outstanding Supreme Court justice.

Hats off to Media Matters
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