Poll Shows Americans Are Divided On Support for Alito Confirmation

[Thom Little]

Americans lack consensus on whether the Senate should confirm Judge Samuel Alito as an associate justice of the Supreme Court, a Harris Interactive poll shows.

Almost equal thirds of all adults believe that Judge Alito should be confirmed (34%), should not be confirmed (31%) or say they aren't sure (34%), according to the poll. A majority of Republicans (65% vs. 9%) favor his confirmation, the polls shows, while a plurality of Democrats (48% vs. 14%) oppose it, and Independents are split (34% for confirmation; 38% against).

However, nearly 70% of those surveyed in the online poll of 1,961 adults would oppose Judge Alito's confirmation if they thought he would vote to make abortion illegal. That percentage rises among Democrats (86%) and Independents (74%), compared with 22% of Republicans. More than half of Republicans polled say they would support his confirmation if they thought he would vote to make abortion illegal, compared with 14% of Democrats.

Judge Alito's conservative record has caused division among many Americans, The Wall Street Journal has reported. Environmentalists believe he could limit laws on clean air and clean water, while women's groups claim he could shift the court toward overturning Roe v. Wade. Additionally, senators of both parties plan to ask him to clarify his understanding of congressional authority.



http://online.wsj.com/public/article/SB113631602732036724.html?mod=todays_free_feature

[fasttense]

1. US citizens Do Not want to make abortion illegal

"However, nearly 70% of those surveyed in the online poll of 1,961 adults would oppose Judge Alito's confirmation if they thought he would vote to make abortion illegal."

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

2. Of course, it won't really matter what Americans think.

Had to laugh out loud when I read the line "Additionally, senators of both parties plan to ask him to clarify his understanding of congressional authority..."

I can't imagine Scalito being any more forthcoming with his responses than Roberts was. Are we going to have to endure Joe Biden telling Scalito that the two of them are involved in an intricate Kabuki dance?

"Women's groups claim he could shift the court toward overturning Roe v. Wade?" Other than being on record as saying he'd like to do that, what is this claim based on?

There was an article that appeared in USA Today yesterday on Bush's "2006 Comeback Plan," and it said that he needed an immediate win in the new year. That win? Scalito.

Sit back and watch the fireworks.

:silly:

[Nordmadr]

3. Poll shows most Americans have no idea who Alito is.

:sarcasm:

Olafr

[mom cat]

4. The polls are getting worse for Alito.