Bush calls for prompt US Senate vote on Alito

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. President George W. Bush on
Saturday called for a prompt Senate vote on Supreme Court
nominee Samuel Alito, playing down Democratic concerns that he
could tilt the high court too far to the right.

Bush, in his weekly radio address, emphasized Alito’s
judicial experience, saying the judge approached the law in a
“thoughtful, fair, and open-minded way” and would not impose
his personal views.

“His record shows that he strictly and fairly interprets
the Constitution and laws, and does not try to legislate from
the bench or impose his personal preference on the people,”
Bush said.

“Now the Senate has a duty to give Judge Alito a prompt
up-or-down vote,” Bush said.

The Senate Judiciary Committee chairman, Pennsylvania
Republican Sen. Arlen Specter, announced his support for Alito
on Friday after five days of hearings, but predicted Democrats
on the panel would vote against him.

Democrats are worried about Alito’s impact on the court
because he would replace retiring Justice Sandra Day O’Connor,
who was a swing vote on controversial issues such as abortion.