Today’s Washington Post carries a story about yesterday’s dueling news conference in support and in opposition of Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito. There’s going to be little difference for the Washington press corps today.
As a reporter trying to keep on top of everything about Alito, all this activity leaves me - and countless other reporters covering his confirmation - on information overload. It’s one reason I think the left erred when it waited until this week to release it’s “goods” on Alito. The other problem facing the liberal interest groups and Senate Democrats: Their “goods” just aren’t that good.
At least five press conferences are planned about Alito, although today’s are certainly not as high profile as Wednesday’s featuring well-known liberal activists or Thursday’s pitting the right vs. left at the same building and the same time.
Here’s Friday’s lineup, courtesy of the Washington Daybook.
10 a.m. - Eugene Delgaudio, president of Public Advocate of the U.S. holds a news conference to launch a "Confirm 'Uncle Sam' Alito" grassroots campaign in support of the nomination of Judge Samuel Alito to the Supreme Court. Public Advocate of the U.S. is a national pro-family group based in Northern Virginia.
11 a.m. - Americans United for Separation of Church and State holds a conference call to discuss the "extremist message of Justice Sunday III," and to oppose the nomination of Judge Samuel Alito to the Supreme Court. Participants include Rev. Barry Lynn, director of Americans United; Rabbi David Saperstein, director of the Religious Action Center; and Rev. Robert Shine, president of Pennsylvania State Wide Coalition of Black Clergy.
11:30 a.m. - Senate Judiciary Committee Democratic counsels hold a background briefing on the upcoming nomination hearing for Judge Samuel Alito.
12:30 p.m. - Senate Judiciary Committee staff holds an off-the-record background briefing on the upcoming Alito confirmation hearing.
2 p.m. - Creative Response Concepts hosts a conference call to clarify reports about Judge Samuel Alito's views on executive power and the unitary executive. Participants include former Attorney General Ed Meese; Ron Cass of the Center for the Rule of Law and a dean emeritus of the Boston University Law School; Chuck Cooper, former Deputy Attorney General under President Reagan, Alito served under him; and Ed Whelan, president, Ethics and Public Policy Center, former law clerk for Justice Scalia, former counsel to the Senate Judiciary Committee.
