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Sporting a neat but modest suit, crisp white shirt and tie that could best be described as poinsettia-red, Judge Samuel Alito stood proudly and acknowledged well wishers -- both among the assembled politicos and his own family -- before the hearing began at Noon ET.
The opening statements of each of the assembled senators is lasting 10 minutes. Reflecting a tension in the room that underscores the stakes (both political and judicial), those in attendance listen closely to the words of each speaker.
Most interesting, Judge Alito hasn't shown any outward expression during some of the more pointed criticism. He watches each speaker and seems to patiently absorb each word.
With good fortune (and perhaps a bit of comedic timing) Senator Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, and Joe Biden, D-Del., brought a bit of laughter to the room with off-handed quips about the confirmation process.
Grassley, following a passionate but negative statement by Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., said "clearly I have a much more positive view." Biden, noting that conservatives prevented former nominee Harriet Miers from having her day before the committee said, "unlike Republicans who were out for blood with Miers, we'll have no blood test, just a conversation."
And while the hearing appeared to get under way without a hitch, behind the scenes there was a scramble to get wireless Internet access set up in the room. That may not sound important on its face, but when you have representatives from every major newspaper and television network and their corresponding Web arms in one room it was a big deal.
I actually had my own tech malfunction (not to be confused with a wardrobe malfunction) to deal with. With perfect timing, my laptop crashed just before the hearing began. After staring at the dreaded blue screen with no re-boot success, I had to get someone to bring me another laptop from our Washington bureau. So I am filing this blog via BlackBerry.
Alas, as with Judge Alito listening to today's opening statements -- when it comes to technology sometimes you've got to take the good with the bad.
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Alito's way
Watching this and the Roberts hearings, I've come to the conclusion that the only benefit we as citizens receive from the review process is this:
It's possible that this process is keeping these vicious, back-biting, slanderous politicians occupied and preventing them from actually doing more harm by attempting their real job of legislating.
Maybe they could find a child abuser to put in the hot seat - then the attacks would be more appropriate
Dave Landers, Lima Ohio (Sent Jan 12, 2006 1:04:22 PM)
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