Days before the confirmation hearings begin for Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito, the nation’s capital is buzzing with activity for and against Alito.
Just as conservatives predicted weeks ago, the left is pulling out all the stops to derail Alito’s confirmation. As I reported Tuesday, all-stars from liberal interest groups trotted out arguments yesterday that generated some press but far less than what I expected.
Today is another busy day of activity. No fewer eight separate events are planned, the first starting just a few minutes from now.
Here’s the breakdown from the Washington Daybook.
9 a.m. - American Progress Action Fund hosts a news conference with 11 national student and youth organizations to oppose the nomination of Samuel Alito to the Supreme Court. Students and representatives will speak from a variety of perspectives on why Alito is the "wrong choice" for America. Groups include Alliance for Justice Student Action; Americans United for Separation of Church and State Campus Division; Campus Progress; Choice USA; Feminist Majority Foundation; Hip Hop Caucus; League of Pissed Off Voters; Law Students Against Alito; Sierra Student Coalition; Young People for Action; Younger Women's Task Force; and the National Council of Women's Organizations.
10 a.m. - Concerned Women of America holds a news conference introducing “Women for Alito,” a new group supporting Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito. Featured speakers include Jan LaRue of CWA; Jane Abraham and Marjorie Dannenfelser of the Susan B. Anthony List; Mary Ellen Bork of Women for Faith & Family; Kelly Ann Conway of the Polling Company; Kay Daly of the Coalition for a Fair Judiciary; Connie Mackey of the Family Research Council; and Patricia Paoletta of the Republican National Lawyers Association
10 a.m. - A group of law professors holds a news conference in opposition to the nomination of Judge Samuel Alito to the Supreme Court. Featured speakers include Reynoldo Valencia of St. Mary's University School of Law; Robert Dinnerstein of American University Washington College of Law; David Kairys of Temple University Besley School of Law; Florence Roisman of Indiana State University School of Law; and Peter Shane of Ohio State University Moritz College of Law.
11 a.m. - Sen. Teddy Kennedy (D.-Mass.) holds a news briefing to discuss the upcoming hearings on Judge Samuel Alito's nomination to the Supreme Court. Kennedy will discuss "the key questions Judge Alito must answer regarding his commitment to core constitutional rights and freedoms as well as some of the pressing issues facing Americans today." (I will have full coverage of this event on AlitoBlog.com later today.)
Noon - “African-Americans for Alito” hold a news conference in support of the nomination of Judge Samuel Alito to the Supreme Court. Participants include Ken Blackwell, Ohio Secretary of State and candidate for Governor of Ohio; Rev. Bill Owens, Coalition of African-American Pastors; Roy Innis, national chairman, Congress of Racial Equality; Pastor Charles Rogers; Bishop Harry Jackson; Pastor Andrew Jackson; and Bishop Phillip Porter, Promise Keepers.
1 p.m. - Sen. Chuck Schumer (D.-N.Y.) delivers a speech to the Center for American Progress and the American Constitution Society on the nomination of Judge Samuel Alito to the Supreme Court.
1 p.m. - The Christian Defense Coalition and National Clergy Council hold a news conference prior to a religious ceremony to "consecrate" 216 Hart Senate Office Building, where the Alito confirmation hearings will be held.
2:45 p.m. - Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas holds a conference call on the nomination of Samuel Alito to the Supreme Court. (I will be listening in to Cornyn’s call and report back on AlitoBlog.com later today.)
