Supreme Court Nominee: Judge Alito

[Gillan]

I am interested to see what everyone else thinks about this nominee, hopefully before the radical left (Schumer, Kerry, Clinton) have the opportunity to villianize him and before the radical right has the opportunity to deify him.

Personally I feel that Judge Alito is a highly qualified candidate, however, I am not sure whether or not I like his philisophical ideas.

In my opinion, having read a few of his opinions now, these are the pro's and con's of appointing Judge Alito:

Pro-

Conservative (not party) view of the role of the judiciary. Self-restraint.

States' rights advocate - give power back to the 10th amendment.

The above is fostered by a skeptical view towards the expansive view of the Commerce Clause (Article 1, Section 8 of the Constitution) that allows the Fed to regulate almost everything.

Con-

Will likely help set off a brush fire over abortion by overruling or greatling limiting Planned Parenthood v. Casey. (Note: Roe v. Wade is no longer good law, not sure why liberals trumphet it as a litmus test)

What does everyone else think?

[Leshrak]

"Alito or Scalito? If you're a liberal, you'd prefer Scalia."

http://www.slate.com/id/2129107/

Nice little article comparing some of the larger court decisions/opinions written by the two.

[Gillan]

While the legal analysis was way off in the article, such as the asserting that Congress may regulate all commerce and Alito's position that congress may not was wrong is not actually correct, the article was at least amusing.