The U.S. Senate is moving forward with floor speeches on the nomination of Samuel Alito to sit on the U.S. Supreme Court. With a few exceptions, the confirmation process is shaping up as a party line vote, with Senate Republicans supporting the nomination and Senate Democrats in opposition. Senator Jim Talent says Judge Alito has made it clear he believes in deciding issues according to existing laws. And, says Talent, there is plenty of support for the nominee from his legal colleagues. Talent cites Judge Alito as saying a judge’s only obligation is to the rule of law, meaning a judge must do as the law requires, regardless of his or her view of a situation … as judges are not policymakers and should not be implementing any sort of policy preferences.
