Posted by William Neikirk at 5:55 a.m. CST
Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito returns to the Senate Judiciary Committee for a second round of questioning today with Democrats seeking more specifics on his legal philosophy after he offered Americans reassurance about his stands on privacy and civil liberties. Republicans said he has acquitted himself well so far and been forthcoming in his answers.
In a long grilling on the witness stand yesterday, Alito said he would approach abortion questions with an open mind although he continued to favor a 1991 vote that women seeking abortions must notify their husbands. He said that a president did not have a “blank check” when it came to use of his wartime powers. Democrats said Alito gave general answers that would be expected of any Supreme Court nominee and pledged to push for more specifics in their questioning Wednesday. Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) said Alito spoke in “very broad generalities…Of course, he will keep an open mind on issues. Of course, he will say the president is not above the law.”
