Judge Alito's Praises Sung By Bi-Partisan Judicial Panel

Not only did a very popular Judge Alito get a thumbs up from a bi-partisan judicial panel today, but he was greeted by cheering fans as he left the hearings.

You just have to love the following entry in Hugh Hewitt's blog. Masterfully written, it cuts right through to the simple truth. I watched every minute of the hearings and, boy, this is just the way it happened today. You could almost hear the Losers Stampede. Enjoy!

Empty Chairs and Empty Suits
by Hugh Hewitt

January 12, 2006 01:50 PM PST

As distinguished jurist after distinguished jurist testified on behalf of Judge Alito, the Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee first visibly buckled, their faces' falling, and then simply fled. Perhaps it was Judge Aldisert's resume --a campaign worker for Jack Kennedy in West Virginia, an LBJ appointee supported by Bobby Kennedy when RFK was senator from New York-- that prompted Teddy to flee, or the patient, sincere, steady rumble of a barely concealed outrage from across the long panel of judges at the treatment their obviously deeply respected colleague had received at the hands of the Senate Democrats that routed Schumer, Durbin and even Leahy. But whatever the reason, all that blather about judicial independence and ethics melted away in the rain of approval from Judge Alito's robed colleagues.

A blow-by-blow on the judges' panel is over at Bench Memos, (Jan 12 Archives) and is wonderful to read.

Judges Aldisert and Garth are old lions of the bench, and though moving slowly, are still very clearly in command of their very great abilities. And whatever their words, their message was twofold: Great respect for Sam Alito, and contempt for the partisan hit squad that had attempted, unsuccessfully, to smear him.

It was a fine moment for the federal judiciary, and a great encore for two jurists who have served long and honorably.

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Photo Credit: http://bench.nationalreview.com.