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U.S. Supreme Court

Bush to Senate: confirm Alito without delay

WASHINGTON - President Bush urged senators Saturday to quickly approve his choice of Samuel Alito for the Supreme Court, even as Democrats said they would try to delay an initial vote despite the momentum in favor of Alito's confirmation.

"The Senate has a duty to give Judge Alito a prompt up-or-down vote," Bush said in his weekly radio address. "America is fortunate to have a man of his intellect and integrity willing to serve, and as a justice on our nation's highest court, Sam Alito will make all Americans proud."

Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., said Friday in the waning minutes of Alito's confirmation hearing that Democrats will "exercise their rights" to put off this week's scheduled vote in the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Democrats say they won't be ready Tuesday to vote on his nomination since Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid of Nevada has called on party members to hold off making a decision until after a meeting Wednesday.

Alito acquitted himself well during the hearings, the president said. He said the nominee's wife, Martha-Ann Bomgardner - whose departure from the testy confirmation hearing in tears elicited wide-ranging sympathy - exhibited "patience and dignity" during the process.

The president pointed out that the Senate has confirmed Alito, a 15-year member of the federal 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals in Philadelphia, to two previous positions by unanimous consent.

"As the American people saw this week, Judge Alito always approaches the law in a thoughtful, fair and open-minded way," Bush said. "Throughout his life, Sam Alito has demonstrated a mastery of the law, great decency and a strong commitment to public service."

All 10 Republicans on the Judiciary Committee have announced their support for Alito, a 55-year-old jurist, former prosecutor and Reagan administration lawyer who is Bush's choice to replace retiring Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor.

Likewise, the Senate's 55 Republicans are expected to line up strongly behind Alito.

The 44 Senate Democrats and one independent have been mostly silent about their intentions.

"The American people see Judge Alito and say, "that's exactly the sort of person we want to see on the Supreme Court,' " said Steve Schmidt, the White House official who managed the nomination.

[Last modified January 15, 2006, 01:48:18]