MAR DEL PLATA, Argentina, Nov. 5 (UPI) -- U.S. President George Bush used his weekly radio address Saturday to push for the confirmation of Samuel Alito to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Alito, currently on the U.S. Court of Appeals, was nominated Monday to take the place of Sandra Day O'Connor, who said she wishes to retire. His nomination came a few days after Bush's first choice for the post -- White House Counsel Harriet Miers -- withdrew in the face of opposition by political conservatives.
Where Miers' judicial background was nonexistent, "Judge Alito is one of America's most accomplished and respected judges," said Bush, whose message was played while he attended the Summit of the Americas.
"During his long career in public service, he has demonstrated all the qualities that the American people expect in a Supreme Court Justice: mastery of the law, a deep commitment to justice, and great personal character," Bush said. "He is scholarly, fair-minded, and principled, and these traits will serve our nation well on our highest court."
The U.S. Senate has set Jan. 9 for the start of Alito's confirmation hearings. Alito has been meeting with senators ahead of those hearings -- which are expected to be contentious since several Democrats have already expressed opposition to the nomination.
