Alito appears headed for confirmation

WASHINGTON — Samuel Alito coasted toward confirmation as the 110th Supreme Court justice Thursday, ending 18 grueling hours of Senate interrogation with Democrats showing little appetite for a last-ditch filibuster attempt on the Senate floor.

"I am my own person, with whatever abilities I have and whatever limitations I have," Alito declared as he wrapped up his final public appearance before senators begin voting on his nomination to replace retiring Justice Sandra Day O'Connor.

Democrats contend the former Reagan administration lawyer is likely to swing the court to the right in replacing the centrist Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, who has provided decisive votes on such important issues as abortion, capital punishment and affirmative action.

Judiciary Committee senators are scheduled to meet next Tuesday to begin debating the 55-year-old federal judge's nomination. Chairman Arlen Specter, R-Pa., had wanted a committee vote then, but Democrats have talked of seeking a delay.

At the same time, Sen. Dick Durbin, a member of the committee and his party's second-ranking leader, suggested Democrats would not attempt to filibuster, which would require Republicans to gain 60 votes to advance the nomination. "When you consider the numbers involved, it is unlikely," he said.

With the hearings ending, interest groups rushed new television commercials to the airwaves.

Progress for America, which has close ties to the White House, plans to spend $250,000 to air a national ad beginning Friday that accuses Democrats of "partisan attacks" on Alito at the hearings.

IndependentCourt.org said it intended to counter with a commercial of its own.

Ads are not likely to change Alito's support among the Senate's 55 Republicans. GOP senators, both on and off the committee, praised Alito as his testimony ended.

"I enthusiastically endorse and support Judge Alito's nomination," Chuck Hagel of Nebraska said Thursday. Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., noted to the judge that his high school friends "predicted you would serve on the Supreme Court one day, and I think that's going to turn out to be a good prediction."

The committee closed the question period Thursday afternoon and moved to a long list of witnesses who would testify on Alito's qualifications to be on the Supreme Court.

Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, asked a panel of current and former federal judges about Alito's record in ruling on cases, especially those involving precedent.