1 Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer answers questions about his new book at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, January 18, 2006. REUTERS/Bradley C. Bower 2 Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer answers questions about his new book at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, January 18, 2006. REUTERS/Bradley C. Bower. 3 Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer discusses his new book at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, January 18, 2006. REUTERS/Bradley C. Bower 4 Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito, left, talks with an unidentified member of the Capitol Police on his security detail, right, as he leaves the Capitol Hill office of Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla , Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2006. Alito aide, former Indiana Sen. Dan Coats is at center. (AP Photo/Lauren Victoria Burke) 5 Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito leaves the office of Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., on Capitol Hill, Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2006 after their meeting. The Senate Judiciary Committee is scheduled to vote next Tuesday on Alito's nomination to replace Justice Sandra Day O'Connor. (AP Photo/Lauren Victoria Burke) 6 Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito, right, walks with his aide, former Indiana Sen. Dan Coats to the Capitol Hill office of Sen. Bill Nelson, Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2006. The Senate Judiciary Committee is scheduled to vote next Tuesday on Alito's nomination to replace Justice Sandra Day O'Connor. (AP Photo/Lauren Victoria Burke) 7 Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., left, greets Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito prior to a meeting in Baucus' Capitol Hill office, Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2006. Baucus said after the meeting that he would vote against Alito as too far outside the mainstream of judicial thinking. (AP Photo/Lauren Victoria Burke) 8 Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito leaves the office of Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL) after their meeting here on Capitol Hill, January 18, 2006. Alito, who spent Wednesday morning visiting Democratic Senators, is expected to be confirmed later this month by the full Republican-led Senate. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque 9 Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL) extends his hand to Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito (L) before their meeting on Capitol Hill in Washington January 18, 2006. Alito, who spent Wednesday morning visiting Democratic Senators, is expected to be confirmed later this month by the full Republican-led Senate. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque 10 Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito leaves the office of Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL) on Capitol Hill in Washington January 18, 2006. Alito, who spent Wednesday morning visiting Democratic Senators, is expected to be confirmed later this month by the full Republican-led Senate. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque 11 U.S. Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito (L) shakes hands with Senator Ben Nelson at the beginning of their meeting at the senator's office on Capitol Hill in Washington, in this November 2, 2005 file photo. On January 17, 2006, Nelson, of Nebraska, became the first Senate Democrat to announce his support for Alito's confirmation. REUTERS/Yuri Gripas 12 Justices of the U.S. Supreme Court gather for an official picture at the Supreme Court in Washington in this October 31, 2005 file picture. The Bush administration cannot stop doctors from helping terminally ill patients end their lives under the nation's only physician-assisted suicide law, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled on January 17, 2006. (First Row L-R) Justice Antonin Scalia, Justice John Paul Stevens, Chief Justice John Roberts, Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, Justice Anthony M. Kennedy, (Second Row L-R) Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Justice David H. Souter, Justice Clarence Thomas and Justice Stephen G. Breyer. REUTERS/Jason Reed 13 Oregon Senior Assistant Attorney General Robert Atkinson leaves the Supreme Court in Washington in this Oct. 5, 2005 file photo. The Supreme Court, with Chief Justice John Roberts dissenting, upheld Oregon's one-of-a-kind physician-assisted suicide law Tuesday, rejecting a Bush administration attempt to punish doctors who help terminally ill patients die. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak, Files) 14 Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito listens to questions on the third day of his Senate confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, January 11, 2006. Democrats on Monday forced a one-week delay on a vote by the Senate Judiciary Committee on Alito, but the 55-year-old conservative was still expected to be confirmed by the full Republican-led Senate. REUTERS/Jim Young 15 Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito smiles during opening remarks at his confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill, Monday, Jan. 9, 2006. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) 16 An artist's rendering of Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, right, with fellow justices after taking the bench for the first time in Washington in this Oct 3, 2005 file photo. From letf are, Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg, David Souter, Antonin Scalia, and John Paul Stevens. (AP Photo/Dana Verkouteren, File) 17 President George W. Bush at the Kentucky International Convention Center in Louisville, Kentucky, January 11, 2006. Bush on Saturday called for a prompt Senate vote on Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito, playing down Democratic concerns that he could tilt the high court too far to the right. Bush, in his weekly radio address, emphasized Alito's judicial experience, saying the judge approached the law in a 'thoughtful, fair, and open-minded way' and would not impose his personal views. REUTERS/Larry Downing 18 Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito, right, along with his wife Martha look on during his confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill, Monday, Jan. 9, 2006. Alito is poised to join a tradition of pragmatic justices who have moved the Supreme Court to the right in measured steps. Eighteen hours of questions over four days showed President Bush's nominee to be a judge respectful of legal precedent but hardly starry-eyed. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) 19 A helicopter, with U.S. President George W. Bush, the first lady Laura Bush and staff, flies past the Washington Monument in Washington January 9, 2006. Bush on Saturday called for a prompt Senate vote on Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito, playing down Democratic concerns that he could tilt the high court too far to the right. REUTERS/Mannie Garcia 20 Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee Arlen Specter (R-PA) during the confirmation hearing of Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito on Capitol Hill, January 11, 2006. REUTERS/Jason Reed 21 Democrats launched their final assault against Samuel Alito, seen here, President George W. Bush's conservative Supreme Court nominee, as he ended more than two days of testimony at a confirmation hearing(AFP/Tim Sloan) 22 Ranking Democratic Member Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT) (R) pats Judiciary Committee Chairman Sen. Arlen Specter (R-PA) on the back at the conclusion of the Senate confirmation hearings for U.S. Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito on Capitol Hill in Washington January 13, 2006. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Arlen Specter on Friday announced he would vote to confirm Samuel Alito to the U.S. Supreme Court. REUTERS/Jim Young 23 Judiciary Committee Chairman Sen. Arlen Specter (R-PA) (L) talks with Ranking Democratic Member Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT) at the conclusion of the Senate hearings for U.S. Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito on Capitol Hill in Washington January 13, 2006. Alito completed his testimony before the Committee after more than 18 hours of questions and appears to be headed for Senate confirmation despite a protracted effort by combative Democrats to show he would move the court to the right on abortion and other divisive issues. REUTERS/Jim Young 24 Ranking Democratic Member Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT) (R) pats Judiciary Committee Chairman Sen. Arlen Specter (R-PA) on the back at the conclusion of the Senate confirmation hearings for U.S. Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito on Capitol Hill in Washington January 13, 2006. Alito completed his testimony before the Committee after more than 18 hours of questions and appears to be headed for Senate confirmation despite a protracted effort by combative Democrats to show he would move the court to the right on abortion and other divisive issues. REUTERS/Jim Young 25 Judiciary Committee Chairman Sen. Arlen Specter (R-PA) (L) shakes hands with Ranking Democratic Member Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT) at the conclusion of the Senate confirmation hearings for U.S. Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito on Capitol Hill in Washington January 13, 2006. Alito completed his testimony before the Committee after more than 18 hours of questions and appears to be headed for Senate confirmation despite a protracted effort by combative Democrats to show he would move the court to the right on abortion and other divisive issues. REUTERS/Jim Young 26 Judiciary Committee Chairman Sen. Arlen Specter (R-PA) (L) shakes hands with Ranking Democratic Member Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT) at the conclusion of the Senate confirmation hearings for U.S. Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito on Capitol Hill in Washington January 13, 2006. Alito on Thursday was headed for Senate confirmation despite a protracted effort by combative Democrats to show he would move the court to the right on abortion and other divisive issues. REUTERS/Jim Young 27 Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committe Arlen Specter (R-PA) bangs his gavel to end the confirmation hearing of U.S. Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito on Capitol Hill in Washington January 13, 2006. Alito completed his testimony before the Committee after more than 18 hours of questions and appears to be headed for Senate confirmation despite a protracted effort by combative Democrats to show he would move the court to the right on abortion and other divisive issues. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts 28 Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committe Arlen Specter (L) (R-PA) and ranking democrat Patrick Leahy (D-VT) talk toward the end of the confirmation hearing of U.S. Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito on Capitol Hill in Washington January 13, 2006. Alito completed his testimony before the Committee after more than 18 hours of questions and appears to be headed for Senate confirmation despite a protracted effort by combative Democrats to show he would move the court to the right on abortion and other divisive issues. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts 29 President of the National Bar Association Reginald M. Turner speaks during the confirmation hearing of U.S. Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito on Capitol Hill in Washington January 13, 2006. Alito completed his testimony before the Committee after more than 18 hours of questions and appears to be headed for Senate confirmation despite a protracted effort by combative Democrats to show he would move the court to the right on abortion and other divisive issues. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts 30 Judiciary Committee Chairman Sen. Arlen Specter (R-PA) (L) shares a laugh with Ranking Democratic Member Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT) at the conclusion of the Senate hearings for U.S. Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito on Capitol Hill in Washington January 13, 2006. Alito completed his testimony before the Committee after more than 18 hours of questions and appears to be headed for Senate confirmation despite a protracted effort by combative Democrats to show he would move the court to the right on abortion and other divisive issues. REUTERS/Jim Young 31 Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman, Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., left, gets a pat on the back from Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., ranking Democrat on the committee, at the conclusion of the confirmation hearing for Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito, Friday, Jan. 13, 2006, on Capitol Hill. (AP Photo/Dennis Cook) 32 Lawyer Fred Gray (L) listens to questions about his testimony at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing about U.S. Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito on Capitol Hill in Washington, January 13, 2006. Alito on Thursday was headed for Senate confirmation despite a protracted effort by combative Democrats to show he would move the court to the right on abortion and other divisive issues. REUTERS/Jim Young 33 Panel members prepare to testify on Capitol Hill, Friday, Jan. 13, 2006, before the Senate Judiciary Committee's confirmation hearing for Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito. From left are, New York attorney Kate Pringle; Rep. Charles Gonzalez, D-Texas; Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla.; San Francisco attorney Jack White; National Bar Association President Reginald Turner Jr.; and NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund President Theodore Shaw. (AP Photo/Dennis Cook) 34 Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla. testifies on Capitol Hill Friday, Jan. 13, 2006, before the Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing for Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito. (AP Photo/Dennis Cook) 35 U.S. Judiciary Committee Chairman Sen. Arlen Specter (R-PA) listens to witness testimony for Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito on Capitol Hill in Washington January 13, 2006. Alito completed his testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday after frustrated Democrats took a final crack at getting more definitive answers from the 55-year-old conservative. REUTERS/Jim Young 36 Lawyer Fred Gray (L), Kate Michelman, former president of National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League (2nd L), Professor Ronald S. Sullivan, Jr. (2nd R) and Professor Amanda Frost testify at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing about U.S. Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito on Capitol Hill in Washington January 13, 2006. Alito completed his testimony before the Committee after more than 18 hours of questions and appears to be headed for Senate confirmation despite a protracted effort by combative Democrats to show he would move the court to the right on abortion and other divisive issues. REUTERS/Jim Young 37 Panel members prepare to testify on Capitol Hill, Friday, Jan. 13, 2006, before the Senate Judiciary Committee's confirmation hearing for Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito. From left are, Tuskeegee, Ala. attorney Fred Gary; former National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League (NARAL) President Kate Michelman; New Haven, Conn. attorney Ronald Sullivan Jr.; American University law professor Amanda Frost; and retired Northeastern University law professor John G.S. Flynn. (AP Photo/Dennis Cook) 38 Professor Nora Demleitner (from L-R), Professor Erwin Chemerinsky, Professor Anthony Kronman, former counsel to U.S. president Bill Clinton Beth Nolan, former U.S. Solicitor General Charles Freid and Professor Laurence H. Tribe appear before the Senate Judiciary Committee to testify at the confirmation hearing of U.S. Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito on Capitol Hill in Washington January 13, 2006. Alito on Thursday was headed for Senate confirmation despite a protracted effort by combative Democrats to show he would move the court to the right on abortion and other divisive issues. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts 39 A police officer patrols in front of the U.S. Supreme Court building before the start of confirmation hearings of Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito on Capitol Hill in Washington January 13, 2006. Alito on Thursday was headed for Senate confirmation despite a protracted effort by combative Democrats to show he would move the court to the right on abortion and other divisive issues. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts 40 Seats for the public remain empty at the start of the fifth day of the confirmation hearing of U.S. Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito on Capitol Hill in Washington January 13, 2006. Alito completed his testimony before the Committee after more than 18 hours of questions and appears to be headed for Senate confirmation despite a protracted effort by combative Democrats to show he would move the court to the right on abortion and other divisive issues. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts 41 Former U.S. Solicitor General Charles Fried (L) and Professor Laurence H. Tribe speak during the confirmation hearing of U.S. Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito on Capitol Hill in Washington January 13, 2006. Alito on Thursday was headed for Senate confirmation despite a protracted effort by combative Democrats to show he would move the court to the right on abortion and other divisive issues. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts 42 Former Solicitor General of the United States Charles Fried listens to questions during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing about U.S. Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito on Capitol Hill in Washington January 13, 2006. Alito completed his testimony before the Committee after more than 18 hours of questions and appears to be headed for Senate confirmation despite a protracted effort by combative Democrats to show he would move the court to the right on abortion and other divisive issues. REUTERS/Jim Young 43 U.S. Judiciary Committee Chairman Sen. Arlen Specter (R-PA) arrives to hear witness testimony for Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito on Capitol Hill in Washington, January 13, 2006. Alito on Thursday was headed for Senate confirmation despite a protracted effort by combative Democrats to show he would move the court to the right on abortion and other divisive issues. REUTERS/Jim Young 44 Professor Laurence H. Tribe testifies at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing about U.S. Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito on Capitol Hill in Washington, January 13, 2006. Alito completed his testimony before the Committee after more than 18 hours of questions and appears to be headed for Senate confirmation despite a protracted effort by combative Democrats to show he would move the court to the right on abortion and other divisive issues. REUTERS/Jim Young 45 Professor Laurence H. Tribe (R) testifies at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing about U.S. Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito as former Solicitor General of the United States Charles Fried listens on Capitol Hill in Washington, January 13, 2006. Alito completed his testimony before the Committee after more than 18 hours of questions and appears to be headed for Senate confirmation despite a protracted effort by combative Democrats to show he would move the court to the right on abortion and other divisive issues. REUTERS/Jim Young 46 Panelists prepare to testify on Capitol Hill, Friday, Jan. 13, 2006, before the Senate Judiciary Committee's confirmation hearing for Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito. Panelists, from left are, Hofstra University Law School Professor Nora Demleitner; Duke University Law School Professor Erwin Chemerinsky; Yale Law School Professor Anthony Kronman; former White House Counsel Beth Nolan; former U.S. Solicitor General Charles Fried; and Harvard Law School Professor Laurence Tribe. (AP Photo/Dennis Cook) 47 Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman, Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., left, talks with Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., ranking Democrat of the committee, on Capitol, Hill, Friday, Jan. 13, 2006 prior to the start of the continuing confirmation hearing for Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito. (AP Photo/Dennis Cook) 48 Democrats launched their final assault against Samuel Alito, seen here, President George W. Bush's conservative Supreme Court nominee, as he ended more than two days of testimony at a confirmation hearing(AFP/Tim Sloan) 49 US Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito answers questions on his fourth day of hearings before Senate Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. Democrats launched a final assault against Alito, President George W. Bush's conservative Supreme Court nominee, as he ended more than two days of testimony at a confirmation hearing.(AFP/Tim Sloan) 50 A panel of seven appellate judges who have worked with Judge Samuel Alito testify on his behalf during a Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill Thursday, Jan. 12, 2006, for the Supreme Court nominee. From right, retired U.S. Court of Appeals Judge Timothy Lewis; retired U.S. Court of Appeals judge John Gibbons; Ruggero Aldisert, senior judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals in Philadelphia; Judge Maryanne Trump Barry of the U.S. Court of Appeals of Philadelphia (hidden); Anthony Scirica, chief judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit of Philadelphia; Edward Becker, senior judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Dennis Cook) 51 In this photograph provided by the WhiteHouse, President Bush, calling from aboard Air Force One, talks with U.S. Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito Thursday, Jan. 12, 2006, on the final day of the judge's confirmation hearings before the Senate Judiciary Committee. (AP Photo/The White House, Eric Draper) 52 Assistant Professor of Law Goodwin Liu (R) and lawyer Carter Phillips listen to questions about their testimony on U.S. Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito on Capitol Hill in Washington January 12, 2006. Alito on Thursday seemed headed for a confirmation that may move the high court to the right after the Senate Judiciary Committee ended three days of often aggressive questioning of the 55-year-old conservative. REUTERS/Jim Young 53 Ruggero Aldisert, senior judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals in Philadelphia, testifies on behalf of Judge Samuel Alito during a Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill Thursday, Jan. 12, 2006, for the Supreme Court nominee. Aldisert, who testified on a panel along with seven appellate judges who have worked with Alito said, 'Judicial independence is simply incompatible with political loyalties, and Judge Alito's judicial record on our court bears witness to this fundamental truth.' (AP Photo/Dennis Cook) 54 Ruggero Aldisert, senior judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals in Philadelphia, testifies on behalf of Judge Samuel Alito during a Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill Thursday, Jan. 12, 2006, for the Supreme Court nominee. Aldisert, who testified on a panel along with seven appellate judges who have worked with Alito said, 'Judicial independence is simply incompatible with political loyalties, and Judge Alito's judicial record on our court bears witness to this fundamental truth.' (AP Photo/Dennis Cook) 55 Senior Judge Edward Becker of the U.S. Court of Appeals in Philadelphia testifies on behalf of Judge Samuel Alito during a Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill Thursday, Jan. 12, 2006, for the Supreme Court nominee. Becker, who hired Alito as his clerk three decades ago, and testified on a panel along with seven appellate judges who have worked with Alito said, 'We have a unique perspective of Judge Alito,' and described him as a highly ethical jurist who never has made decisions based on any political ideology. (AP Photo/Dennis Cook) 56 U.S. Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito testifies on the fourth day of his Senate confirmation hearings on Capitol Hill in Washington January 12, 2006. REUTERSKevin Lamarque 57 U.S. Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito testifies on the final day of public testimony in his Senate confirmation hearings on Capitol Hill in Washington January 12, 2006. REUTERS/Jim Young 58 U.S. Appeals Court Judges Leonard Garth (L-R), Edward Becker, Anthony Scirica, Maryanne Trump Barry, Ruggero Aldisert and retired judges John Gibbons and Timothy Lewis, testify on behalf of Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito during the fourth day of confirmation hearings on Capitol Hill in Washington, January 12, 2006. Each of the judges, most of whom had known and served with Alito for many years, endorsed his approval. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst 59 U.S. Appeals Court Judges Edward Becker (L-R), Anthony Scirica, Maryanne Trump Barry, Ruggero Aldisert and retired judges John Gibbons and Timothy Lewis, testify on behalf of Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito during the fourth day of confirmation hearings on Capitol Hill in Washington, January 12, 2006. Each of the judges, most of whom had known and served with Alito for many years, endorsed his approval. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst 60 U.S. Appeals Court Judge Maryanne Trump Barry testifies on behalf of Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito during the fourth day of confirmation hearings on Capitol Hill in Washington January 12, 2006. Judge Trump Barry was one of a panel of judges, most of whom had known and served with Alito for many years, who endorsed his approval. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst 61 U.S. Appeals Court Judge Ruggero Aldisert testifies on behalf of Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito during the fourth day of confirmation hearings on Capitol Hill in Washington January 12, 2006. Aldisert was one of a panel of judges, most of whom had known and served with Alito for many years, who endorsed his approval. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst 62 U.S. Appeals Court Judge Leonard Garth (C) testifies via satellite on behalf of Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito during the fourth day of confirmation hearings on Capitol Hill in Washington January 12, 2006. Garth was one of a panel of judges, most of whom had known and served with Alito for many years, who endorsed his approval. Also pictured are fellow appeals judges Ruggero Aldisert (L), Maryanne Trump Barry (2nd R) and retired judge John Gibbons (R). REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst 63 Retired U.S. Appeals Court Judge John Gibbons testifies on behalf of Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito during the fourth day of confirmation hearings on Capitol Hill in Washington January 12, 2006. Gibbons was one of a panel of judges, most of whom had known and served with Alito for many years, who endorsed his approval. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst 64 Retired U.S. Appeals Court Judge Timothy Lewis testifies on behalf of Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito during the fourth day of confirmation hearings on Capitol Hill in Washington January 12, 2006. Lewis was one of a panel of judges, most of whom had known and served with Alito for many years, who endorsed his approval. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst 65 U.S. Appeals Court Judges Edward Becker (L) and Anthony Scirica (R) testify on behalf of Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito during the fourth day of confirmation hearings on Capitol Hill in Washington January 12, 2006. Becker and Scirica were two of a panel of judges, most of whom had known and served with Alito for many years, who endorsed his approval. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst 66 U.S. Appeals Court Judge Edward Becker testifies on behalf of Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito during the fourth day of confirmation hearings on Capitol Hill in Washington January 12, 2006. Becker was one of a panel of judges, most of whom had known and served with Alito for many years, who endorsed his approval. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst 67 Judge Samuel Alito, left, shakes hands with Senate Judiciary Committee member, Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, at the end of Alito's testimony before the committee for his confirmation as a Supreme Court justice in Washington Thursday, Jan. 12, 2006. At right, committee member Sen. Mike DeWine, R-Ohio. Others in the image are unidentified staff members. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak) 68 Judge Samuel Alito answers a last-round question by the Senate Judiciary Committee before the afternoon closed door session on Capitol Hill in Washington Thursday, Jan. 12, 2006, on the nomination of Alito to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court. (AP Photo/Dennis Cook) 69 Judge Samuel Alito rises after answering the last questions of Senate Judiciary Committee members, Thursday, Jan. 12, 2006, during confirmation hearings on Capitol Hill for his nomination to be be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak) 70 Stephen Tober, Chairman of the American Bar Association, arrives to testify about U.S. Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito on Capitol Hill in Washington, January 12, 2006. Alito completed his testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday after frustrated Democrats took a final crack at getting more definitive answers from the 55-year-old conservative. REUTERS/Jim Young 71 Judge Samuel Alito listens to concluding statements Thursday, Jan. 12, 2006, during the confirmation hearings on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 12, 2006, for his nomination to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court. If confirmed, the federal judge who answered senators' questions for 18 hours, would replace Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, who cast the deciding fifth vote in a 1992 ruling that reaffirmed the basis of Roe v. Wade. At left, Alito's wife Martha-Ann. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta) 72 Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) (background) the ranking democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, takes a picture at the start of the testimony of witnesses on Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito's Senate confirmation hearings as Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-MA) listens on Capitol Hill in Washington January 12, 2006. Alito completed his testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday after frustrated Democrats took a final crack at getting more definitive answers from the 55-year-old conservative. REUTERS/Jim Young 73 Senate Judiciary Committee witnesses (L-R) John Payton, Federal Circuit Representative American Bar Association; Stephen Tober, Chairman of the American Bar Association; and Marna Tucker, D.C. Circuit Representative, listen to questions about U.S. Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito on Capitol Hill in Washington, January 12, 2006. Alito completed his testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday after frustrated Democrats took a final crack at getting more definitive answers from the 55-year-old conservative. REUTERS/Jim Young 74 U.S. Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito grabs his seat belt as he leaves his final day of testimony at the Senate judiciary confirmation hearings on Capitol Hill in Washington January 12, 2006. Alito completed his testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday after frustrated Democrats took a final crack at getting more definitive answers from the 55-year-old conservative. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts 75 U.S. Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito testifies on the fourth day of his Senate confirmation hearings on Capitol Hill in Washington January 12, 2006. U.S. Senate Judiciary Chairman Arlen Specter said on Thursday an overnight search of records found no mention of Alito in a controversial Ivy League alumni group. REUTERSKevin Lamarque 76 U.S. Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito smiles as he gathers with supporters following his final day of testimony at the Senate judiciary confirmation hearings on Capitol Hill in Washington January 12, 2006. Alito completed his testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday after frustrated Democrats took a final crack at getting more definitive answers from the 55-year-old conservative. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts 77 U.S. Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito signs autographs for supporters following his final day of testimony at the Senate judiciary confirmation hearings on Capitol Hill in Washington January 12, 2006. Alito completed his testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday after frustrated Democrats took a final crack at getting more definitive answers from the 55-year-old conservative. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts 78 U.S. Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito smiles as he gathers with supporters following his final day of testimony at the Senate judiciary confirmation hearings on Capitol Hill in Washington January 12, 2006. Alito completed his testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday after frustrated Democrats took a final crack at getting more definitive answers from the 55-year-old conservative. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts 79 Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito walks away from his table after four days of public testimony in his Senate confirmation hearings on Capitol Hill, January 12, 2006. REUTERS/Jim Young 80 Wife of U.S. Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito, Martha-Ann Bomgardner, is pictured in this combination picture reacting to comments by U.S. senators on the fourth day of public testimony in Alito's Senate confirmation hearings on Capitol Hill in Washington January 12, 2006. Alito completed his testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday after frustrated Democrats took a final crack at getting more definitive answers from the 55-year-old conservative. REUTERS/Jim Young 81 Judge Samuel Alito momentarily wipes his eye during the last round of questioning by the Senate Judiciary Committee before the afternoon closed door session on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 12, 2006, on Alito's nomination to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak) 82 Judge Samuel Alito rises after the final round of questioning by Senate Judiciary Committee members, Thursday, Jan. 12, 2006, during confirmation hearings on Capitol Hill for his nomination to be be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court. Alito's wife, Martha-Ann, second from right, also prepares to leave. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak) 83 Judge Samuel Alito and his wife Martha-Ann smile as questioning comes to a close Thursday, Jan. 12, 2006, during the confirmation hearings on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 12, 2006, for Aliot's nomination to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court. The federal judge answered senators' questions for 18 hours, prompting Committee Chairman Arlen Specter, R-Pa., to say Alito 'demonstrated remarkable patience and remarkable stamina.' (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak) 84 U.S. Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito laughs alongside his wife Martha-Ann (R) and sister Rosemary during the final day of public testimony in his Senate confirmation hearings on Capitol Hill in Washington, January 12, 2006. Alito completed his testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday after frustrated Democrats took a final crack at getting more definitive answers from the 55-year-old conservative. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts 85 Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito walks away from his table after four days of public testimony in his Senate confirmation hearings on Capitol Hill, January 12, 2006. REUTERS/Jim Young 86 U.S. Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito gets up from his table after four days of public testimony at his Senate confirmation hearings on Capitol Hill in Washington January 12, 2006. Alito completed his testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday after frustrated Democrats took a final crack at getting more definitive answers from the 55-year-old conservative. REUTERS/Jim Young 87 Senate Judiciairy Committee chairman Arlen Specter (L) talks with committee ranking Democrat Pat Leahy during a break in the confirmation hearing for U.S. Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito on Capitol Hill in Washington January 12, 2006. U.S. Senate Judiciary Chairman Arlen Specter said on Thursday an overnight search of records found no mention of Alito in a controversial Ivy League alumni group. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque 88 U.S. Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito testifies on the fourth day of his Senate confirmation hearings on Capitol Hill in Washington January 12, 2006. U.S. Senate Judiciary Chairman Arlen Specter said on Thursday an overnight search of records found no mention of Alito in a controversial Ivy League alumni group. REUTERSKevin Lamarque 89 Senator Patrick Leahy of Vermont, the ranking democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, takes a picture at the end of public proceedings on day four of Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito's Senate confirmation hearings on Capitol Hill in Washington January 12, 2006. Democrats pressed a final time for more definitive answers from Alito on Thursday. REUTERS/Jason Reed 90 U.S. Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito (C) testifies on the fourth day of his Senate confirmation hearings on Capitol Hill in Washington January 12, 2006. U.S. Senate Judiciary Chairman Arlen Specter said on Thursday an overnight search of records found no mention of Alito in a controversial Ivy League alumni group. REUTERS/Jason Reed 91 Judge Samuel Alito momentarily closes his eyes during the last round of questioning by the Senate Judiciary Committee before the afternoon closed door session on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 12, 2006, on the nomination of Alito to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak) 92 Democrat Senate Judiciary Committee members take a break on the fourth day of the confirmation hearings for Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 12, 2006. From left, Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., ranking Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, Sen. Joesph Biden, D-Del., foreground, Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., partially hidden, and Sen. Herb Kohl, D-Wis. Man at top, second from left, is an unidentified committee staff member. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak) 93 US Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito answers questions on his fourth, and likely final day of hearings before Senate Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. Alito said US law is unclear as to whether President George W. Bush could launch a military invasion of Iran or Syria without congressional approval.(AFP/Tim Sloan) 94 Judge Samuel Alito reacts to questioning by the Senate Judiciary Committee on the fourth day of his confirmation hearings on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 12, 2006. Senators got one last chance to question Alito Thursday before reviewing the FBI's background report on him in a closed hearing, and listening to public witnesses like the American Bar Association on Alito's qualifications to become the nation's 110th Supreme Court justice. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak) 95 Morning mist surrounds the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 12, 2006, as the fourth day of Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearings prepare to begin for Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta) 96 Morning mist surrounds the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 12, 2006, as the forth day of Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearings prepare to begin for Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta) 97 Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., questions Judge Samuel Alito on the fourth day of Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearings of the Supreme Court nominee on Capitol Hill in Washington Thursday, Jan. 12, 2006. Kennedy assailed Alito's judicial record and testimony, citing the judge's inability to recall his membership in the Concerned Alumni of Princeton and his explanation about his involvement in a case that Kennedy suggested raised questions about conflict of interest. (AP Photo/Dennis Cook) 98 Martha-Ann Alito, right, and Rosemary Alito, respectively wife and sister of Supreme Court nominee, Judge Samuel Alito, listen to statements by a Senate Judiciary Committee member during the fourth day of confirmation hearings on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 12, 2006. (AP Photo/Dennis Cook) 99 U.S. Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito testifies on the fourth day of his Senate confirmation hearings on Capitol Hill in Washington January 12, 2006. REUTERSKevin Lamarque (Reuters) 100 Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito is surrounded by photographers as he prepares to take questions on the fourth day of his Senate confirmation hearings on Capitol Hill, January 12, 2006. (Jason Reed/Reuters) 101 Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito smiles as he starts testimony on the fourth day of Senate confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill, January 12, 2006. (Kevin Lamarque/Reuters) 102 U.S. Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito smiles as he testifies on the fourth day of his Senate confirmation hearings on Capitol Hill in Washington January 12, 2006. . (Jason Reed/Reuters) 103 Senator Patrick Leahy (L)(D-VT) and Ted Kennedy (D-MA) confer during the fourth day of Supreme Court nominee judge Samuel Alito's senate confirmation hearings on Capitol Hill, January 12, 2006. (Kevin Lamarque/Reuters) 104 Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA) uses a visual aide as he makes a point during questioning of Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito during Alito's Senate Judiciary Committee hearings on Capitol Hill, January 12, 2006. (Kevin Lamarque/Reuters) 105 U.S. Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito smiles on the fourth day of his Senate confirmation hearings on Capitol Hill in Washington January 12, 2006. U.S. Senate Judiciary Chairman Arlen Specter said on Thursday an overnight search of records found no mention of Alito in a controversial Ivy League alumni group. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque 106 Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito speaks during the fourth day of his senate confirmation hearings on Capitol Hill in Washington January 12, 2006. Democrats pressed a final time for more definitive answers from Alito on Thursday. REUTERS/Jason Reed 107 Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA) asks a question of Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito during Alito's Senate Judiciary Committee hearings on Capitol Hill in Washington January 12, 2006. Democrats pressed a final time for more definitive answers from Alito on Thursday. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque 108 Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito looks at papers about Vanguard Group as he is questioned by Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., about avoiding conflicts of interest on the fourth day of his Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearings on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 12, 2006. At left, Alito's wife, Martha-Ann. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak) 109 Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito looks at papers about Vanguard Group as he is questioned by Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., about avoiding conflicts of interest on the fourth day of his Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearings on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 12, 2006. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak) 110 U.S. Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito looks at a document during the fourth day of his Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearings on Capitol Hill in Washington January 12, 2006. Democrats pressed a final time for more definitive answers from Alito on Thursday. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts 111 U.S. Senate majority leader Bill Frist (L) (R-TN) looks on as U.S. Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito (R) testifies on the fourth day of his Senate confirmation hearings on Capitol Hill in Washington January 12, 2006. U.S. Senate Judiciary Chairman Arlen Specter said on Thursday an overnight search of records found no mention of Alito in a controversial Ivy League alumni group. REUTERS/Jason Reed 112 Martha-Ann Bomgardner (L), wife of U.S. Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito (R), looks on as her husband testifies on the fourth day of Senate confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington January 12, 2006. Bomgardner left her husband's confirmation hearings in tears on Wednesday, returning not long after. The episode elicited sympathy for her from senators of both parties — and instant finger-pointing following the past days on intense questioning. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque 113 U.S.Senator Patrick Leahy (R) (D-VT) asks a question on Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito as Senate Judiciary Chairman Arlen Specter (R-PA) looks on during the fourth day of Alito's Senate confirmation hearings on Capitol Hill in Washington January 12, 2006. Specter said on Thursday an overnight search of records found no mention of Alito in a controversial Ivy League alumni group. REUTERS/Jason Reed 114 U.S. Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito smiles as he testifies on the fourth day of his Senate confirmation hearings on Capitol Hill in Washington January 12, 2006. U.S. Senate Judiciary Chairman Arlen Specter said on Thursday an overnight search of records found no mention of Alito in a controversial Ivy League alumni group. REUTERS/Jason Reed 115 U.S. Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito prepares to take questions on the fourth day of his Senate judiciary committee confirmation hearings on Capitol Hill in Washington January 12, 2006. U.S. Senate Judiciary Chairman Arlen Specter said on Thursday an overnight search of records found no mention of Alito in a controversial Ivy League alumni group. REUTERS/Jason Reed 116 Senators Ted Kennedy (D-MA) (L) and Joe Biden (D-DE) confer during the Supreme Court nomination hearing of Samuel Alito on Capitol Hill, January 11, 2006. (Jason Reed/Reuters) 117 Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito returns to his seat after a break in the third day of his Senate confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill, January 11, 2006. (Jason Reed/Reuters) 118 Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA) points to Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito as ranking committee Democrat Pat Leahy (L) looks on during the Supreme Court nomination hearing of Alito on Capitol Hill in Washington January 11, 2006. (Joshua Roberts/Reuters) 119 Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito takes his seat as his son Philip passes behind him during the third day of his Senate confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill, January 11, 2006. (Jason Reed/Reuters) 120 Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito and his wife, Martha, leave his Senate confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington January11, 2006. (Jim Young/Reuters) 121 Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito smiles during the third day of his Senate confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill, January 11, 2006. Seated behind Alito from left are Alito's son Philip, former Senator Dan Coats, sister Rosemary Alito and wife Martha. (Joshua Roberts/Reuters) 122 U.S. Senate majority leader Bill Frist (R-TN) looks on as U.S. Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito (L) testifies on the fourth day of his Senate confirmation hearings on Capitol Hill in Washington January 12, 2006. U.S. Senate Judiciary Chairman Arlen Specter said on Thursday an overnight search of records found no mention of Alito in a controversial Ivy League alumni group. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts 123 Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., ranking Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, makes opening remarks as Chairman, Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., left, looks on during the fourth day of confirmation hearings in Washington Thursday, Jan. 12, 2006, for the nomination of Judge Samuel Alito to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court. (AP Photo/Dennis Cook) 124 U.S. Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito prepares to take questions on the fourth day of Senate confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington January 12, 2006. U.S. Senate Judiciary Chairman Arlen Specter said on Thursday an overnight search of records found no mention of Alito in a controversial Ivy League alumni group. REUTERS/Jason Reed 125 Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito responds to a question during the third day of his Senate confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill, January 11, 2006. (Jason Reed/Reuters) 126 Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito responds to a question during the third day of his Senate confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill, January 11, 2006. (Joshua Roberts/Reuters) 127 Photographers surround Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito at the start of the third day of his Senate confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill, January 11, 2006. (Kevin Lamarque/Reuters) 128 Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman, Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., prepares to conduct another round of questioning of Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito during the third day of his confirmation hearings on Capitol Hill in Washington Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2006. At right, Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., ranking Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) 129 Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito reaches to shake hands with a young supporter as he arrives on day three of his confirmation hearings before the Senate Judiciary Committee Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2006 in Washington. (AP Photo/Lauren Victoria Burke) 130 Supperters greet Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito, right, as he arrives on day three of his confirmation hearings before the Senate Judiciary Committee Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2006 in Washington. (AP Photo/Lauren Victoria Burke) 131 Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman, Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., left, conducts the confirmation hearing for Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito on Capitol hill in Washington Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2006. From left, Specter, ranking Democrat Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., Sen. Joesph Biden, D-Del., Sen. Herb Kohl, D-Wis., hidden, and Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) 132 Senate Judiciary Committee member Sen. Joseph Biden, D-Del., jokingly puts on a Princeton Tigers cap during Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito's confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2006. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) 133 Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito prepares to take his seat before another round of questioning during his confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee in Washington Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2006. At left, is Alito's wife Martha-Ann Bomgardner. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) 134 Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., questions Supreme Court nominee, Judge Samuel Alito, at the Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2006. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak) 135 Republican Senate Judiciary Committee members John Cornyn, R-Texas, and Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., talk during the third day of confirmation hearings of Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito on Capitol Hill in Washington Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2006. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) 136 Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., questions Judge Samuel Alito about Roe v. Wade during the confirmation hearing of the Supreme Court nominee on Capitol Hill in Washington Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2006. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) 137 Martha Alito (L) and her husband, U.S. Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito (R), depart the third day of confirmation hearings on Capitol Hill in Washington January 11, 2006. Alito faced more aggressive questioning at his Senate confirmation hearing on Wednesday from Democrats who accused him of evasive answers and challenged his commitment to keep an 'open mind' on abortion. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst 138 Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Arlen Specter (L) (R-PA) talks to ranking democrat Patrick Leahy (D-VT) (R) and Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) at the end of the third day of the Senate confirmation hearings for Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito on Capitol Hill in Washington January 11, 2006. Alito faced more aggressive questioning at his Senate confirmation hearing on Wednesday from Democrats who accused him of evasive answers and challenged his commitment to keep an 'open mind' on abortion. REUTERS/Jim Young 139 Martha Alito (C), wife of U.S. Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito, watches the third day of confirmation hearings on Capitol Hill in Washington January 11, 2006. Democratic members of the Senate Judiciary Committee repeatedly questioned Alito about his membership in a conservative alumni group. Also pictured is Alito's sister Rosemary (L). REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst 140 Judge Samuel Alito and his wife Martha-Ann Bomgardner return to the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing room on Capitol Hill in Washington Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2006, for a final round of questioning for the confirmation of the Supreme Court nominee. Shortly before an emotional Bomgardner had left the hearing room. ( (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) 141 U.S. Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito (R) and his wife Martha return from a break at his Senate confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington January 11, 2006. Alito faced more aggressive questioning at his Senate confirmation hearing on Wednesday from Democrats who accused him of evasive answers and challenged his commitment to keep an 'open mind' on abortion. REUTERS/Jim Young 142 Supreme Court nominee, Judge Samuel Alito, smiles at the opening of the final round of questioning at his confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2006. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) 143 U.S. Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito (R) and his wife Martha return from a break at his Senate confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington January 11, 2006. Alito faced more aggressive questioning at his Senate confirmation hearing on Wednesday from Democrats who accused him of evasive answers and challenged his commitment to keep an 'open mind' on abortion. REUTERS/Jim Young 144 Supreme Court nominee, Judge Samuel Alito, smiles Wednesday afternoon, Jan. 11, 2006, on the third day of testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee for his confirmation. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak) 145 Judge Samuel Alito and his wife Martha-Ann Bomgardner clasp hands as they return to the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing room on Capitol Hill in Washington Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2006, for a final round of questioning for the confirmation of the Supreme Court nominee. Shortly before an emotional Bomgardner had left the hearing room. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak) 146 U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) questions Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito on Capitol Hill in Washington January 11, 2006. Alito faced more aggressive questioning at his Senate confirmation hearing on Wednesday from Democrats who accused him of evasive answers and challenged his commitment to keep an 'open mind' on abortion. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst 147 U.S. Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito listens to a question during the third day of confirmation hearings on Capitol Hill in Washington January 11, 2006. Alito faced more aggressive questioning at his Senate confirmation hearing on Wednesday from Democrats who accused him of evasive answers and challenged his commitment to keep an 'open mind' on abortion. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst 148 U.S. Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito responds to questions during the third day of confirmation hearings on Capitol Hill in Washington January 11, 2006. Alito faced more aggressive questioning at his Senate confirmation hearing on Wednesday from Democrats who accused him of evasive answers and challenged his commitment to keep an 'open mind' on abortion. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst 149 U.S. Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito responds to questions during the third day of confirmation hearings on Capitol Hill in Washington January 11, 2006. Alito faced more aggressive questioning at his Senate confirmation hearing on Wednesday from Democrats who accused him of evasive answers and challenged his commitment to keep an 'open mind' on abortion. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst 150 U.S. Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) questions Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito on Capitol Hill in Washington January 11, 2006. Alito faced more aggressive questioning at his Senate confirmation hearing on Wednesday from Democrats who accused him of evasive answers and challenged his commitment to keep an 'open mind' on abortion. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst 151 Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., gestures during the confirmation hearing of the Supreme Court nominee, Judge Samuel Alito, on Capitol Hill in Washington Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2006. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) 152 Supreme Court nominee, Judge Samuel Alito, smiles during testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington Wednesday afternoon, Jan. 11, 2006. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak) 153 Martha-Ann Alito reacts during the third day of the confirmation hearings for her husband Judge Samuel Alito as Associate Justice on the Supreme Court on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2006. Mrs. Alito reacted to the apology by Republican Senate Judiciary Committee member Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C. for the contentious nature of questioning during the hearing. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak) 154 U.S. Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito and his wife Martha share a laugh on the third day of his Senate confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington January11, 2006. Alito faced more aggressive questioning at his Senate confirmation hearing on Wednesday from Democrats who accused him of evasive answers and challenged his commitment to keep an 'open mind' on abortion. REUTERS/Jim Young 155 Ranking Democratic party senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) (L) and Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA) listen to proceedings on the third day of the senate confirmation hearings of Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito on Capitol Hill in Washington January 11, 2006. Alito faced more aggressive questioning at his Senate confirmation hearing on Wednesday from Democrats who accused him of evasive answers and challenged his commitment to keep an 'open mind' on abortion. REUTERS/Jim Young 156 Committee on the Judiciary Chairman Arlen Specter (R-PA) listens to proceedings on the third day of the senate confirmation hearings for Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito on Capitol Hill in Washington January 11, 2006. Alito faced more aggressive questioning at his Senate confirmation hearing on Wednesday from Democrats who accused him of evasive answers and challenged his commitment to keep an 'open mind' on abortion. REUTERS/Jim Young 157 Supreme Court nominee, Judge Samuel Alito, reaches for water during a day of intense questioning by Senate Judiciary Committee members on the third day of confirmation hearings on Capitol Hill in Washington Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2006. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak) 158 A television camera is pointed at the facade of the United States Supreme Court, November 28, 2005. A majority of Supreme Court justices appeared prepared on Wednesday to overturn the sentence or the conviction of a Tennessee death row inmate who claims new DNA and other evidence cast doubt on his guilt for the 1985 murder of a female neighbor. (Joshua Roberts/Reuters) 159 Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., the only woman on the Senate Judiciary Committee, is photographed as she questions Judge Samuel Alito during the confirmation hearing of the Supreme Court nominee on Capitol Hill in Washington Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2006. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) 160 Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman, Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., and Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., right, ranking Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, listen to Judge Samuel Alito, during the third day of the confirmation hearings for the Supreme Court nominee on Capitol Hill in Washington Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2006. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak) 161 Supreme Court nominee Judge Samuel Alito answers a question on the third day of his confirmation hearings before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2006. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)