Official Alito Hearing Thread - Day 1 – Thread 9

[Sydnie]

Thread 1
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x98574

Thread 2
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x97051#97509

Thread 3

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=97502&mesg_id=97502

Thread 4

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=97974&mesg_id=97974

Thread 5

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=98574&mesg_id=98574

Thread 6

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=99949&mesg_id=99949

Thread 7

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=100612&mesg_id=100612

Thread 8

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=101339&mesg_id=101339

~~~ Please kick this thread for bettyellen and recommend it too. http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=106&topic_id=25890&mesg_id=25890 ~~~

[LSK]

1. Schumer up, turned it back on just in time

[Sydnie]

2. Schumer up now n/t

[realFedUp]

3. Schumer's on plate. Asks Alito about the Constitution...nt

[realFedUp]

5. asks about view on right to an abortion...

Alito said he'd address it in a judicial process.

[realFedUp]

10. Schumer's just asking if Alito thinks the right to an abortion

is Constitutional.

[realFedUp]

18. Alito's dodging this one....

[realFedUp]

42. Chuck's borking Alito....

Alito said Bork was outstanding...

yeah, in his field.

[Sparkman]

53. DuLito wouldn't list one justification to over-turn of RvW, a Feinstein Q

Earlier question by Feinstein about precedent over-turning, and DuLito agreed that good "justification" would be required for such an overturn of a "precedent like RvWade", yet he refused and couldn't provide one such justification. YET he still said that RvW was not a "super" or a "super-duper" precedent, meaning in his view RvW WAS vulnerable to overturn.
So we now can conclude, if the scotus review Row vs Wade, abortion will be up to each individual states to legalize or prohibit, if DaLito gets confirmed.

[DoYouEverWonder]

4. Schumer up

Hitting him on abortion.

Not asking about other cases. Wants a direct answer.

[Sydnie]

8. Hitting him hard ... do you still believe it

You either believe it or you don't! Just answer the friggin' question!

[Snotcicles]

29. Chuck Shumer You just gotta love um. n/t

[Radio_Lady]

56. Chuck Schumer is so good I could hug him! Let's keep this kicked!

I want to send Chuck Schumer a BIG gold star for keeping Alito "on the ropes" for the whole time.

I want a video of this exchange!

I'm smiling like crazy.... love it!

In peace,

Radio_Lady

[DoYouEverWonder]

6. Not asking for a process

Stated proudly made about personal belief on abortion.

[LSK]

7. fuck, hes avoiding the question

Here we go, John Roberts all over again.

[DFLer4edu]

11. This is what these hearings are about!

[DFLer4edu]

15. He should just keep asking his question for 30 minutes!

[LSK]

20. i think he will

[librechik]

12. Alito revealing how scripted and empty the response he is giving

to this frequently asked question

GO SCHUMER!

[DFLer4edu]

9. Great line of questioning, way to hammer it home

Holding up the constitution is perfect. I have the same type of copy as Shumer of the constitution.

[DemonFighterLives]

38. I thought he would melt with the cross eh I mean the constitution

held up to him. How it must burn. :nopity:

[DoYouEverWonder]

13. Can you tell us your view

what is in the constituation. How it applies to abortion?

[lavenderdiva]

14. look at how pursed Alito's mouth is while Schumer is hammering him...

doesn't look comfortable with this pounding~ Way to go Schumer!

[DoYouEverWonder]

21. Shumer: I know you wouldn't answer the question

especially since you did once before.

[doublethink]

16. This is finally getting my attention again today ......

go Schumer. :) Dammit it's a yes or no answer Alito !!!! Answer the fricking question. :crazy:

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

19. Oh snap, Schumer! I know you wouldn't answer the question.

Slam!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[doublethink]

27. Schumers Mother In-Law Analogy ......

was great. :toast:

[Tactical Progressive]

64. That analogy really worked well

to put Alitos's entire abortion-avoidance strategy in perspective. His obvious refusal to answer questions was explained in simple, everyday terms. In fact, the analogy pretty much covers the Republican stonewall standard for judicial nominees in general.

Well done Chuck Schumer.

[CottonBear]

17. Chuck: "Sir, I'm not asking for the process. (I want an answer.)"

"Do you still believe in that personal belief? (That no const. right to abortion.)"

Alito: "I'd have to consider stare decisis."

Chuck: "I'm asking you about your opinion about what the constiution contains....You backed off a statement...you said it was 'inapt', ...can you tell us your view about why...there is no right ot abortion?"

Alito: "It is proper for me to talk about the 3 branches of gov't..."

Chuck: "No. I'm asking for your view."

"Do you believe in the right to free speech?"

Alito: "yes."

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

24. "I have not changed my opinion of my mother in law."

Smart ass.

[realFedUp]

22. Schumer's troubled that Alito won't answer this...something he

addressed before.

[LSK]

23. do you believe in free speech? yes. why cant you tell me about this?

[malaise]

25. Damn that was good n/t

[CottonBear]

26. Damn. Chuck made him admit he still doesn't believe it right to abortion

by engaging him in a conversation about his mother-in-law. Wow.

[LSK]

28. Chuck has some questionable votes in the past, but he can be good

He can be a good pain in the ass in times like this. Remember his questions to Roberts about his favorite movie? :rofl:

[DFLer4edu]

30. Watch out, for the headline "Shumer attacks Alitio's mother in law"

Just like in the vice-presidential debates. ;)

[CottonBear]

31. Ruh roh. n/t

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

33. SNL should be good this weekend (if they return from their vacation)

if they decide to parody this.

[Surya Gayatri]

35. Geez, I hope Alito's

"Depens" are well in place. He looks like he's shitting bricks.:rofl:

[DoYouEverWonder]

32. Shumer about Alito not anwering question about abortion

Saw a friend who told me he hated his mother-in-law.

Saw him a years later and he asked him again how he felt about his MIL. The guy said, well then I was married to her daughter for 1 year, now it's been 21 years, so it's not so bad.

That's not what I asked you. How do you feel about your MIL?

Well I really can't say. I don't want to speak to that question (?)

Shumer: Well if someone gave you anwers like this about your MIL, how would I think you felt about her. I think it would be obvious.

(Hope I got this mostly right?)

[CottonBear]

37. That's it. Thanks.

[LSK]

40. "Well I really can say" - change to can't

[gumby]

34. Clarence Thomas is a LIAR

And so is Alito.

Bingo!

[CottonBear]

36. Chuck quoting Scalia on Thomas & stare decisis:

"Thomas doesn't believe in stare decisis, period."

[malaise]

39. Chuckie's got him

the adam's apple is moving vigorously.

[oasis]

41. Clarence Thomas: "I never had a view on abortion" Alito: "I can't say

what my views on abortion are at present".

The Federalist Society has a way of turning out the world's worst liars and hypocrites.

[worldgonekrazy]

43. Schumer trying to liken Alito to Bork

A good tactic I think.

[DFLer4edu]

47. It's all a show

the question is whether the senators are going to confirm him when he goes up for a vote.

[bettyellen]

51. you mean IF he goes for an up and down vote...

it doesn't seem he deserves it.

[CottonBear]

59. He may not make it out of the committee and he could withdraw. n/t

[bettyellen]

65. we should drag this out till the winter. the SC is too important...

to allow Repug waterboys like this fool on it.

[bettyellen]

44. says his praise for Bork WASN"T while INTERVIEWING for a JOB !!!!!

:rofl:
bork is outstanding? great nominee?

[realFedUp]

46. Chuck's borking Alito. nt

[bettyellen]

49. wasn't aware of Borks positions, was being a toady ass; Reagan's appointee

i love chuck pointing out he didn't HAVE to espouse this view since he had a job, was not looking for one.....

[suffragette]

52. Chuck is taking him to school

[bettyellen]

57. hey you! long time no see!

happy new year sweetie!
:hug:
my 1st DUer! we just had our anniversary, too!
:hi:

[suffragette]

60. Happy New Year back at ya

Wow, a year already and what a helluva year it's been.
Too bad we can't pop out and celebrate it - here's the best I can do :toast:

[CottonBear]

50. It was during a voluntary news interview while he was a US atty!

:rofl:

[CottonBear]

45. Chuck quoting Bork re: need to overturn Roe v. Wade.

Chuck: So (speaking to Alito), if const. does not protect right to abortion (like you wrote in 1985 but will not say so today) and what you wrote about Bork in 1988...quote: you (Alito) said: outstanding nominee...uinderstanding of cost. history..." BUT he (Bork) rejects stare decisis.

SO...it was a voluntary interview and you were a US Atty. and judges overrule cases despite stare deicis... SNAP

[realFedUp]

48. Ask him if he's Opus Dei

and follows the Pope's instructions.

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

55. Alito just LOOKS like an asshole.

Is it me, or does it look like he's pissed? It looks like he's snickering and sneering at Schumer. Maybe it's just me...

[realFedUp]

68. I'm tired of doughy looking white conservative men....nt

[realFedUp]

54. Our side always sounds smarter.....nt.

[LizW]

58. Schumer reading colleagues criticisms of Alito -- devastating.

This is a woodshed beating.

:spank:

[CottonBear]

62. Ouch. Chuck is whaling on him. Alito is puckering.

The people behind him look grim. :evilgrin:
I hope Alito's got on his Depends...

[Sydnie]

I thought he was going to cry

Watched it with my daughter while we had dinner. She was impressed with Schumer ... and she's only 13! :rofl:

[CottonBear]

104. My teenage stepdaughter is NOT into politics no matter how much

CSPAN we watch. Oh well. Maybe she'll absorb our liberal values! :)

Good for your daughter! Smart girl! :)

[bettyellen]

61. as willing as you are to depart from precedent while on the 3rd circuit...

go chuck.

:applause:

[DoYouEverWonder]

63. Jeez, this guy is dumber

then Clarence Thomas.

[Radio_Lady]

66. Schumer is so well prepared. He's such an excellent debater.

He narrowed the path that Alito had to follow and he went rolling right along the channel. And Schumer has a lilt to his voice -- not a snicker but a smile.

[DoYouEverWonder]

70. Then he changed the conversation

so that he had the last word on the abortion issue.

Very smooth.

[CottonBear]

73. Chuck: So I can assume that you would vote to overule Roe v. Wade.

Alito: Wait. I want to explain. ...Stare decisis...blah, blah, blah

Chuck: You've never had to decide on a woman's right to choose and you could not have because you were a 3rd circuit court judge and you could not overturn Roe v. Wade...

whine.........................I don't know how I would decide....
const. does not always trump stare decisis...it can...otherwise Plessy v. Ferguson would still be on books...

[malaise]

67. Stick a fork in him

Schumer has chewed him up and is ready to spit him out. Fingers moving big time now. Bork him.

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

72. Good job, Schumer.

[worldgonekrazy]

69. I don't know about this focus on abortion

I think the Executive Power (spying, torture, etc.) issue ought to be focused on much more. In this way Dems could try to sink the nomination as a civil liberties issue rather than what would be seen as a completely partisan issue of abortion.

[bettyellen]

74. i know alot of men could give a shit, but it's important to women voters..

and most of the country supports the right, something like 68% last i read it.
we can multi-task, you know.

[DemonFighterLives]

90. I don't think anyone is questioning the right to choice here

The problem as I see it, the repubs paint us into a corner on abortion and even though most support it, many shy away when the issue comes up.
The point is that we could take this nominee down on other grounds perhaps and not need to re-enter overturning Roe until dubby's next nominee.
:hug:

[worldgonekrazy]

94. My argument is purely political

Is this a good stategy for the Dems? That is the question, not whether the right to choose itself is or is not important. My argument is that focusing on abortion opens up the Dems to criticisms that their opposition to Alito is purely partisan. A majority of the population may support the right to choose, but I think that it would be more important that a majority would probably not support a purely partisan attack. Furthermore, focusing on abortion will give the Christian Right a reason to rally behind Bush and the Republicans. In effect, it would remind his base why they liked the guy in the first place, in a time when I think its more important to erode that base's support for the 2006 elections. Maybe I'm going too far beyond the scope of just this nomination, but I don't think its a good idea to put the abortion question in the front and center of the national stage right now.

[bettyellen]

105. i've read this before, it comes down to: you are willing to gamble it away

to back down from supporting reproductive rights. it's tied in closely with the privacy issues and that is issue #1 right now, if you think it's AGAIN time to put in on the back burner, it's bullshit. you think we're going to pick up votes from the rabid christians who want enforced breeding?
i have to ask, are you against abortion or merely a man? it always comes down to one or the other when i hear this crap!

[Lexingtonian]

78. doesn't matter

All the problems involve violation of 14th Amendment civil rights, so it doesn't matter whether you pick the McCain torture bill or wiretapping or abortion. In all cases it's Republicans wanting to violate obvious civil rights.

[worldgonekrazy]

82. I would say this for it though

It is a good strategy to discuss abortion in that it puts Republicans on the committee in a tough spot. On the one hand, they don't want to make it appear that Alito will definitely overrule Roe v. Wade because they would give a lot of amunition to the Democrats. However, they also don't want to make it appear as though there is something wrong with a nominee that would overrule Roe v. Wade. So it puts them between a rock and a hard spot. Do they go along with the Dems, assuring that Alito won't overrule Roe v. Wade and thus implicitly accept the righteousness of that decision, or do they fight back and potentially compromise their nominee?

[LizW]

83. They're limited in what they can ask about the spying thing

That case is almost certainly going to come before the Court. He's just not going to answer anything apecific about it.

Schumer killed him with the abortion line of questioning. It's not that important how he would rule. He can't say that, anyway. What Schumer hammered was that he won't tell the committee right now what he believes, when he proudly touted his belief before. He's not being honest to the committee. THAT is the importance of the abortion questions.

[worldgonekrazy]

99. Very good point

I hadn't really thought about it like that.

[CottonBear]

102. Hello! There are more women than men therefore it's important.

It is a basic human right that has been exercised for millenia by generations of women in all cultures.

[bettyellen]

71. alito looks very shaken up trying to seem impartial about Roe....

he shakes his head ALOT while making positive statements- i know what that means.

[Surya Gayatri]

86. So you caught that

contradictory body language too? Very revealing of inner conflict--his head involuntarily contradicting what his lying mouth is spewing.
:think:

[bettyellen]

92. you noticed too, surya? it's been going on all day....

oy not conryn! cannot watch this.
:puke:

[Surya Gayatri]

75. OMG

What was that opening bullcrap from Cronyn? :wow:

[LSK]

76. fucking republican senators are there to rubber stamp him

Not fucking ask him questions.

[realFedUp]

77. Cornyn relief batter now for Alito...

as long as these guys keep using baseball terms.

[realFedUp]

80. Cornyn going over Dem's questions.....

Alito can't stand on his own answers?
He needs these Judish conservatives to bail him out?

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

81. "Thank you for being so responsive" my ass!

[realFedUp]

87. what does that mean...that he didn't leave the room? nt

[realFedUp]

97. This hearing is already on wikipedia....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samuel_A._Alito,_Jr.#Personal_life

scoll down to Confirmation Hearing, Jan. 10

[realFedUp]

84. Cornyn says some have already made up their minds...yeah,

I'd say every Republican will vote for him and
didn't even have to hear his answers to know that.

[CottonBear]

89. He is not asking any questions so how can Alito be forthcoming?

These Republicans are goddamned stupid.
He may be as stupid as my two idiot Georgia senators. :(

[Radio_Lady]

88. More baseball terms? I must have missed that. Cronyn is a smoothie

from Texas, without much of the accent.

This is a ping-pong match, folks. Just dramatic going from Democratic to Republican and back and forth and so on.

We'll have to see what happens. I hope Alito doesn't make it out of committee and I hope he gets a "down" vote. But if not, so be it.

[realFedUp]

100. Alito's looking like warmed over spam right now

Is this guy the "best" Bush can nominate?

[Gregorian]

79. I didn't know Man From Glad was a senator.

God, these are some smelly people. No wonder only Republicans can pay attention to this shit. YUCK!

Slick salesmen.

We need more Feingolds, Shumers, Kennedy types.

[gumby]

85. Suck Cornyn.

Slurp, slurp, sluuuuurrrrrrp.

Don't forget that drop on your chin.

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

91. BLECH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:puke: :puke:

[Surya Gayatri]

98. What the hell

is this Power-Point presentation doing in the middle of a confirmation hearing?

[LoKnLoD]

93. This is a waste though..

Alito will get through this committee cause the Republicans have a majority and then he will get passed by the full senate cause the dems won't have the balls to filibuster him.

[Sydnie]

95. I don't know that that is true

If they play their cards right and have touched on both abortion and the syping implications, Alito just might be toast in the Senate.

[gumby]

96. I fear you are correct

But hope otherwise.

Making those calls and sending those letters is the least we can do.

[LizW]

101. Is Cornyn the last for today?

I'm exhausted.

[Sydnie]

106. they are supposed to go til 8 I think n/t

[Sydnie]

103. thread 10 open now

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x102323

[proud patriot]

107. go to thread 10 here

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x102323