Headline and original article updated since the nomination has been confirmed, and news conference annoucing the nomination has been held.
Multiple reports were saying that Conservative Judge Samuel Alito will be the choice to replace Sandra Day O'Connor as an associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States.
Alito's nomination replaces the failed nomination of Ms. Miers who bowed out after a few weeks of seeing her credentials (especially on the conservative side) called into serious question.
Alito's conservative credentials are without question, which should help shore up the conservative base's support of his nomation. Unfortunately, it will also likely cause a galvanization of the liberal block's voting against Judge Alito.
Be ready for a mini-version of WW3 in these hearings. You can be sure that the liberals will bring out anything and everything they can to try to stop Alito - possibly evoking the need for the use of the nuclear option in the Senate. There are serious questions about whether or not the "gang of 14" will maintain their deal and keep from deeming this nomination "unusual circumstances" or whatever the key words were that would allow them to exercise the out in their deal.
The political fun is really about to begin!
