WASHINGTON, Oct. 31 (UPI) -- Rebuked for selecting a U.S. Supreme Court nominee with no experience as a judge, President Bush went the other direction Monday in selecting Samuel Alito.
Bush's nomination of White House Counsel Harriet Miers was met with near disdain because she had never served as a judge. Miers withdrew as a nominee last week.
In announcing the nomination of Alito, Bush immediately outlined the nominee's years of experience in court. He especially noted Alito's service as an assistant U.S. attorney and assistant solicitor general. Alito argued 12 cases before the Supreme Court while holding that position. Bush also pointed out Alito was approved to his current positions as a judge on the 3rd U.S. Court of Appeals by unanimous consent in 1990.
But the lengthy paper trail that a long career in government provides could give opponents fuel to sidetrack the nomination, especially since Alito has not shied from writing on church-state relations and abortion rights.
Both the president the Alito made mention of the nominee's belief in the limited role of the judiciary.
At 55, Alito is poised to serve on the bench for many years. With John Roberts, 50, recently joining the court as chief justice, the Supreme Court could bear a Bush thumbprint for a long time.
Bush said he wants Alito's nomination voted on before the end of the year.
