US: Democrats pressed a final time for more definitive answers from US Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito yesterday as a third round of questioning before the Senate Judiciary Committee neared completion.
Judge Alito said if confirmed he would seek to emulate retiring Justice Sandra Day O'Connor's dedication and dignity, but repeatedly declined to say he would demonstrate the same centrist views.
The conservative Judge Alito headed toward anticipated confirmation despite more wrangling with Democrats who fear he will steer the nation's highest court to the right on abortion, civil rights and other social issues.
Judiciary committee chairman Arlen Specter, a Pennsylvania Republican, said an overnight search of records demanded by Democrats found no mention of the judge in a Princeton University alumni group that had opposed efforts to admit more women and minorities - an ethical issue some Democrats hammered away at in earlier questioning.
Democrats have been unsuccessful in securing a commitment from him that he would vote to uphold the landmark 1973 decision that legalised abortion - another major issue since Judge Alito opposed abortion while in the Reagan administration two decades ago. Democrats have also wrestled with him over his view of presidential powers, which they say is overly broad.
Judge Alito deflected questions about the legality of the administration's warrantless eavesdropping on Americans but did say no president was above the law.
President George W. Bush nominated Judge Alito, a conservative federal appeals judge, to replace Justice O'Connor, who often has been the swing vote on the nine-member court on abortion and other social issues.
While Judge Alito was expected to be confirmed by the Senate later this month, the vote will likely be closer than the 78-22 vote confirming US chief justice John Roberts in September since Judge Alito could shift the court's ideological balance.
Mr Specter hopes to wrap up the proceeding by today after hearing from outside witnesses, including some of Judge Alito's colleagues. Senator Herb Kohl, a Wisconsin Democrat, said Justice O'Connor has been viewed as "a person at the centre of the court" and asked him if "you might turn out, in a general way, to be that kind of justice?" Judge Alito said: "I am my own person, with whatever abilities I have and whatever limitations I have. And I think if anybody looks at my record on the court of appeals they can get an idea about the way I approach the work of being a judge." - (Reuters)