Charles Schumer in Alito Confirmation Hearings

On Principles & Values: Alito responds, but doesn't really answer questions

SEN. SCHUMER: You testified yesterday that you'd keep an open mind. Isn't that right?

ALITO: I did and I do.

SCHUMER: Now are you aware of any nominee in the history of the republic who has come before the Senate and testified he'd keep a closed mind?

ALITO: I'm not aware of that. But I can only speak for myself.

SCHUMER: This morning's newspapers were filled with headlines to the effect you would keep an open mind. My friends on the other side of the aisle have repeatedly said you've answered over 200 questions. Now it's probably 300. But a response is not an answer. And you've responded to more than 300 questions but, in all due respect, you haven't answered enough of them. And so, again, I think we ought to make clear that, at least to many of us here, we haven't gotten the answers to questions, yes or no, on some important issues.

Source: Sam Alito Senate Confirmation Hearings Jan 11, 2006

On Principles & Values: Nominees must prove they're not extreme

While every Supreme Court nominee has a great burden, yours, Judge Alito, is triply high. First, because you have been named to replace Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, the pivotal swing vote on a divided court; second, because you have been picked to placate the extreme right wing after the hasty withdrawal of Harriet Miers; and, finally, because your record of opinions and statements on a number of critical Constitutional questions seems quite extreme. Source: Sam Alito Senate Confirmation Hearings Jan 9, 2006

The above quotations are from Samuel Alito, Senate confirmation hearings for his Supreme Court nomination, January 2006 (plus commentary). Click here for a profile of Charles Schumer.
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