“Same Difference — The key question for Alito: Why do the nominee’s legal conclusions so closely track his political convictions?” Law Professor Cass R. Sunstein has this essay online at The New Republic.
Today at National Review Online, Ramesh Ponnuru has an essay entitled “Executive Disservice: Fabrications about Judge Alito’s record.” And Kate O’Beirne has an essay entitled “Senator Not-Everywoman: Whatever she tells you during the Alito hearings, Dianne Feinstein is not the embodiment of American women’s attitudes.”
At Salon.com, Michael Scherer has an essay entitled “Alito, you’re no John Roberts: In the first day of his confirmation hearings, Samuel Alito displayed none of the dexterity and charm of Bush’s newly minted chief justice — and may face a rougher ride later this week.”
And online at The Nation, Bruce Shapiro has an essay entitled “Alito Almanac: Biography as Destiny.” And John Nichols’s “The Online Beat” offers a post titled “Senators Sould Press Alito on Bush v. Gore.”
The Sacramento Bee is reporting: Today’s newspaper contains articles headlined “Alito says he has no agenda; High court nominee stresses his humble roots as hearings open” and “Bill to delay executions faces first hurdle today; Assembly committee will consider bid for three-year moratorium.”
Today’s U.S. Supreme Court rulings in argued cases: At “SCOTUSblog,” Lyle Denniston has a post titled “Court rules on state immunity, 2 other issues.”
And Gina Holland of The Associated Press reports that “Supreme Court Sides With Ga. Inmate.”
Today the Court issued opinions in the following cases: (1) United States v. Georgia, No. 04-1203 (Justice Antonin Scalia for a unanimous Court; concurring opinion by Justice John Paul Stevens, in which Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg joined); (2) Volvo Trucks North America, Inc. v. Reeder-Simco GMC, Inc., No. 04-905 (Justice Ginsburg for the Court; dissenting opinion by Justice Stevens, in which Justice Clarence Thomas joined); and (3) Evans v. Chavis, No. 04-721 (Justice Stephen G. Breyer for the Court; opinion concurring in the judgment by Justice Stevens).
“Ruling targets lawyers using deceptive ads; The state Supreme Court says attorneys are not exempt from the Colorado Consumer Protection Act”: This article appears today in The Denver Post.
And The Rocky Mountain News today contains an article headlined “A twist for ‘Strong Arm’: Suit reinstated; Court backs consumer in ad case against Azar firm.”
You can access yesterday’s ruling of the Supreme Court of Colorado at this link.
“Court upholds drug dealer’s sentence; 10th Circuit finds that Angelos’ 55-year term isn’t disproportionate”: The Deseret Morning News contains this article today.
And The Denver Post reports today that “Court lets 55-year drug-gun sentence stand.”
And Law Professor Doug Berman, at his “Sentencing Law and Policy” blog, has a post titled “Tenth Circuit affirms 55-year mandatory minimum sentence in Angelos.” You can access yesterday’s ruling of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit at this link.
“Flowers’ suit against Clinton figures denied”: This article appears today in The San Francisco Chronicle.
Claire Cooper, legal affairs writer for The Sacramento Bee, reports that “Appeals court rebuffs Flowers.”
And The Associated Press reports that “Appeals Court Dismisses Flowers’ Lawsuit.”
Yesterday’s non-precedential ruling of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit can be accessed here.
“Alito Faces First Confirmation Questions”: Jesse J. Holland of The Associated Press provides this report.
Day two of the confirmation hearing for U.S. Supreme Court nominee Samuel A. Alito, Jr. is now underway: Click here to watch in RealPlayer via C-SPAN. The committee’s live video feed is here (RealPlayer). And National Public Radio is streaming online live audio coverage at this link (RealPlayer).
The Washington Post provides live blogging here. The New York Times provides live blogging here. And “SCOTUSblog” is also live-blogging the hearing.
“Alito Tries to Defuse Doubts; Bush’s nominee says he’s not bound by ideology, but Democrats promise sharp questions for the man who could tip the high court’s balance”: Maura Reynolds and David G. Savage have this article today in The Los Angeles Times.
Today in The Chicago Tribune, Jan Crawford Greenburg has an article headlined “Alito: ‘A judge can’t have any agenda’; No one is above or below the law, nominee says in opening remarks.” And Jill Zuckman reports that “Democrats under pressure to show aggressive stance; Liberal groups say some went easy on Roberts, White House.”
In USA Today, Kathy Kiely and Joan Biskupic report that “Alito vows not to bring agenda to high court; Battle over Bush nominee begins in Senate hearings.”
In The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Michael McGough reports that “Alito says he has no agenda; Senate begins questioning of Supreme Court nominee.”
The New York Sun reports that “Alito Hearing Could Be Most Partisan in Decades.”
The San Francisco Chronicle reports that “Alito hearings focus on executive power in wartime; Both parties have questions — judge says no one is above the law.” And Bob Egelko reports that “Bush not there, but central in hearings; Senators and legal experts look at his increased power during war on terror.”
The San Jose Mercury News reports that “Confirmation hearings begin for court nominee; Democrats fear Alito will bring shift to right.”
The Orange County Register reports that “Lines drawn on Alito.”
The Arizona Republic reports that “Alito hears senators’ concerns; O’Connor legacy raised by many.”
Newsday reports that “Alito plays up humble roots.”
The Denver Post contains an article headlined “Alito: Rule of law is key; The Supreme Court nominee spoke after senators spent four hours outlining their top issues; Questioning will begin today.”
The Charlotte Observer reports that “Graham says abortion just 1 issue; Senator warns he may switch course and vote to take away filibuster.”
The Baltimore Sun reports that “Supreme Court nominee vows to keep open mind; Bush choice says he would treat rich and poor alike; senators raise issues of abortion, presidential power.”
The Boston Globe reports that “Alito tells panel he has no agenda; Several senators strongly critical.” And Charlie Savage reports that “Schumer questions nominee’s theory on executive role.”
The Deseret Morning News contains an article headlined “Alito hearing — And now, the questions; Proceeding to shift from statements to give and take.”
The Houston Chronicle reports that “Alito vows no ‘agenda’; As senators test Bush’s high court nominee, their questions break along party lines.”
The South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports that “Tough questions await, Alito told; South Floridians weigh in on Supreme Court nominee.”
The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports that “In hearing, Cornyn full of praise for nominee.”
The Cincinnati Enquirer contains an article headlined “I like your style, DeWine tells nominee.”
The Dayton Daily News reports that “DeWine says courts have usurped authority.”
The Oklahoman reports that “Coburn uses hearings to send abortion message.”
The Des Moines Register reports that “Grassley praises Alito, his record.”
The New York Daily News contains an article headlined “Alito bit of GOP love.”
The Poughkeepsie Journal reports that “Abortion sides in valley differ over Alito.”
The Newark (N.J.) Star-Ledger contains articles headlined “Alito makes case for seat on high court; Jerseyan stresses roots and ‘solemn obligation’ to rule of law” and “Nominee awaits as hearings begin.”
The Washington Times contains articles headlined “Alito vows equal justice for all“; “Democrats dig into Alito’s opinions on guns, race“; and “Gloves are off in Alito hearings, metaphorically speaking.”
The Washington Post contains an article headlined “Sen. Arlen Specter, Back in Top Form; Judiciary Chairman Kicks Off Alito Hearings.”
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports that “Lines drawn at Alito hearing; Abortion, executive power are expected to be the hot issues.”
The Virginian-Pilot reports that “Va. senators considered shoo-ins for Alito vote.”
The Bergen (N.J.) Record reports that “Alito gets mixed welcome.”
The Yale Daily News reports that “Law faculty react to Alito.”
The Red and Black reports that “Professors say Alito likely to be confirmed.”
The Toronto Globe and Mail reports that “Judge can’t have ‘agenda,’ Alito says at hearings; Democrats say they’ll question top-court nominee about abortion, presidential powers.”
And The Toronto Star reports that “Battle lines drawn over nominee for U.S. top court; Alito says no one `is above the law’; Faces questions on abortion, powers.”
Henry Weinstein is reporting: Today in The Los Angeles Times, he has articles headlined “Moratorium on Executions Is Urged; Author of state’s death penalty initiative and other prosecutors send a letter to the Assembly backing a bill seeking a two-year suspension” and “Suit Can Proceed Against LAPD; A ruling that said the police could be sued by an inmate using a federal racketeering law is allowed to stand by the U.S. Supreme Court.”
“Fasting Chaplain Declares Victory; Navy Denies That He Couldn’t Pray In Jesus’s Name”: This article appears today in The Washington Post.
“Judges and Justice Dept. Meet Over Eavesdropping Program”: The New York Times contains this article today.
“Calif. inmate says he’s too old, ill to die; Clarence Allen, 75, seeks clemency as execution date nears; health care an issue”: This article appears today in USA Today.
“Title VII and Small Businesses: The Supreme Court Addresses the Employer-Size Requirement For Federal Employment Discrimination Claims.” Joanna Grossman today has this commentary online at FindLaw.
