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Alito focuses on Democratic support in Senate

Posted on: Wednesday, 9 November 2005, 15:58 CST

By Joanne Kenen

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito courted Democrats in the Senate on Wednesday, winning admiration from one Midwest moderate after a far-ranging discussion on morality, values and religion.

Kent Conrad of North Dakota said he was impressed by Alito's intellectual firepower and that barring any unexpected disclosures he would not support a Democratic attempt to filibuster President George W. Bush's nominee.

Alito's nomination is particularly controversial as he is more conservative than the retiring justice he would succeed, Sandra Day O'Connor.

"Clearly he is conservative," Conrad said of the judge who has served 15 years on a federal appeals court. Conrad added he did not view Alito as an ideologue who was "outside the mainstream of American jurisprudence."

Conrad said he and the judge discussed Alito's family roots and Roman Catholicism, without talking specifically about abortion. He asked Alito what he would do if his religion conflicted with his judicial responsibilities. Conrad said Alito told him, "He has never felt there was a conflict between his own moral precepts and the precepts of his church and his role as a judge."

Conrad was one of three Democrats Alito met as he continued his courtesy calls on Capitol Hill. Russell Feingold of Wisconsin did not talk to reporters after their conversation, and New York Democrat Charles Schumer did not say whether he was leaning toward opposing Alito. Schumer has been a leading opponent of several controversial Bush nominees to federal courts.

Schumer praised Alito's professional experience and abilities, saying, "It is very, very enjoyable intellectually to talk to and even joust" with the nominee. He added he was not satisfied by all of Alito's positions on controversial rulings, including whether Congress had the authority to ban machine guns.

Like several other Democrats, Schumer raised concerns about why Alito did not recuse himself in a case involving the Vanguard mutual fund company. He had earlier promised to remove himself from cases involving the company as he personally had Vanguard investments.

The case in question involved a relatively small sum of money, and Alito has told several senators that part of the problem was a glitch in the computer system the courts use to detect possible conflicts. Nevertheless, senators have voiced concerns about Alito's role in the case, which may become a factor in his confirmation.

Alito in conversations with senators in recent days has stressed his respect for precedent -- which abortion rights supporters have seen as a sign Alito would not overturn the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade abortion rights ruling. He also has strong support from anti-abortion conservatives in the Senate.

Source: REUTERS

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