Debate on Alito Closed

Reuters has the story here.

The details:

The Republican-led Senate on Monday soundly defeated a Democratic bid to block Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito -- clearing the way for confirmation of the 55-year-old federal judge, who could move the nation's highest court to the right.

On a vote of 72-25 -- 12 more than the 60 needed -- the Senate approved a motion to end debate and proceed forward on President George W. Bush's nominee.

A confirmation vote is set for Tuesday and Alito has a commitment from a required simple majority to be approved.

"I am pleased that a strong, bipartisan majority in the Senate decisively rejected attempts to obstruct and filibuster an up-or-down vote on Judge Sam Alito's nomination," Bush said in a statement.

"Judge Alito is extraordinarily well-qualified ... and America is fortunate that this good and humble man is willing to serve," Bush said.

A conservative federal appeals judge since 1990, Alito would replace the more moderate Justice Sandra Day O'Connor. O'Connor, the first woman U.S. Supreme Court justice, who is retiring, often has been the swing vote on the nine-member court on abortion, civil rights and other social issues.

Alito, who received the American Bar Association's top rating for a seat on the high court, would be the second Bush Supreme Court nominee confirmed within months.

In September, the Senate approved John Roberts as chief justice on a vote of 78-22, with half the 44 Senate Democrats and one independent backing Roberts to replace the late William Rehnquist, a fellow conservative.

With the balance of the court now possibly at stake, the final vote on Alito was certain to be closer.

Democratic Sens. John Kerry and Edward Kennedy, both of Massachusetts, led the effort to stage a filibuster, a procedural hurdle that permits unlimited debate to stop a nominee.

They argued Alito posed a threat to civil rights and abortion rights and would not be an effective check on presidential powers.

Listen. Do you hear that?

That's the wail of the Moloch-worshippers as their precious sellpols collapsed before reality. The Kos-Kidd kissing-up Kerry and his partner, the Senior Senator from Massachussets, failed to sustain the ranks of their party compatriots.

Brace yourselves for the gnashing of teeth and rending of garments. Reasonable affecionados of the Agenda will tremble. The soon-to-be Justice Alito joins his constitution-respecting colleagues, who will dissemble the Judiciarium one sound ruling at a time. Will we encounter more efforts to secede? Will the great blue-state exodus begin at last? Stay tuned!