Alito Hearings thread

[Balta1701]

Well, since Alito sure looks like a more contentious nominee than Roberts (he has both a much longer paper trail and a much more contentious one), it does seem like there is at least going to be something of an interesting fight going on in the Senate this week. Starting, of course, tomorrow. And given that, well, here's a thread.

 

I'll lead off this thread with this one.

 

Insisting that God "certainly needs to be involved" in the Supreme Court confirmation process, three Christian ministers today blessed the doors of the hearing room where Senate Judiciary Committee members will begin considering the nomination of Judge Samuel Alito on Monday.

 

Capitol Hill police barred them from entering the room to continue what they called a consecration service. But in a bit of one-upsmanship, the three announced that they had let themselves in a day earlier, touching holy oil to the seats where Judge Alito, the senators, witnesses, Senate staffers and the press will sit, and praying for each of the 13 committee members by name.

 

"We did adequately apply oil to all the seats," said the Rev. Rob Schenck, who identified himself as an evangelical Christian and as president of the National Clergy Council in Washington.

 

Rev. Schenck called the consecration service the kick-off in a series of prayer meetings that will continue throughout the confirmation hearing.

 

Capitol Hill police said they weren't aware that the three had entered the hearing room earlier, but added that hearing rooms typically aren't locked because "they're not of interest to anyone."  Lt. Dominick Costa said the Judiciary Committee room will be swept for bombs and perhaps for electronic bugging equipment before the hearing begins.

 

The three ministers insisted they weren't taking sides in the Alito debate.  "This is not a pro-Alito prayer," insisted the Rev. Patrick Mahoney, director of the Christian Defense Coalition. With abortion, public prayer, gay marriage and right-to-life issues among those topping public debate, however, "God…is interested in what goes on" in the nomination hearing, Rev. Schenck said.

I don't know whether to be impressed that they're trying to be non-partisan or scared that they're able to do that. Anywho, here we go, this one will be interesting to watch.

 

Can someone drop some holy oil on this thread? So that it is an interesting discussion?

[EvilMonkey]

I seem to recall Shumer saying that the Robert's nomination required more time because of his lack of paper trail. However, now it seems he has changed his tune, and that HAVING a paper trail now requires more questioning.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/conte...av=rss_politics

[/quoteAll judicial nominees are required to respond to senators' queries, Schumer said in a speech in Washington. "The obligation, however, is greater for some nominees," he said. "It is greater when a nominee has taken a clear position on a legal matter."