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Specter struggles over Alito hearings

WASHINGTON, Dec. 15 (UPI) -- Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., says he doesn't know how he will vote at the confirmation hearings of Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito.

The chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee is trying to resolve his inner struggle arising from his deeply held political beliefs, his personal ties to Alito and his loyalty to the Republican Party, reports USA Today.

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Alito, if confirmed, will succeed retiring Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, a swing vote notably in preserving abortion rights, says the report. Specter, 75, generally favors abortion rights.

Alito reportedly took a stand against abortion as a young lawyer in the Reagan administration. But Alito reportedly has told Specter his personal views won't affect his rulings.

Specter and Alito are both sons of immigrants and graduates of Yale Law School. Alito has the enthusiastic backing of Edward Becker, a senior judge on the 3rd Circuit and one of Specter's oldest friends.

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