Quotable: Nomination of Judge Samuel Alito

"The Supreme Court is an institution that I have long held in reverence. During my 29 years as a public servant, I've had the opportunity to view the Supreme Court from a variety of perspectives — as an attorney in the Solicitor General's Office, arguing and briefing cases before the Supreme Court, as a federal prosecutor, and most recently for the last 15 years as a judge of the Court of Appeals." — Judge Samuel Alito.

"Judge Alito is unquestionably qualified to serve on our nation's highest court. And on the bench, he has displayed a judicial philosophy marked by judicial restraint and respect for the limited role of the judiciary to interpret the law and not legislate from the bench." — Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn.

"The nomination of Judge Alito requires an especially long, hard look by the Senate because of what happened last week to Harriet Miers. Conservative activists forced Miers to withdraw from consideration for this same Supreme Court seat because she was not radical enough for them. Now the Senate needs to find out if the man replacing Miers is too radical for the American people." — Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev.

"Rather than selecting a nominee for the good of the nation and the court, President Bush has picked a nominee whom he hopes will stop the massive hemorrhaging of support on his right wing. This is a nomination based on weakness, not strength." — Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass.

"President Bush has hit a home run by selecting Sam Alito. Anyone would be hard pressed to name another nominee with such a sterling and distinguished record. Judge Alito believes the law — not the judge — should determine the results in a case." — Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah

"Judge Alito's impressive credentials and extensive legal experience position him well for this post. Fifteen years ago, the Senate unanimously confirmed Judge Alito as a circuit court judge, and I encourage my colleagues to, once again, move this nomination forward in an expeditious manner." — Sen. Bob Bennett, R-Utah