Judge Sam Alito was recommended today by the Senate Judiciary Committee for confirmation to the Supreme Court. All 10 Republicans voted in favor of Alito and all 8 Democrats voted against him.

Today's latest vote further entrenches the notion that Senate Democrats will oppose any conservative nominee to the Court based solely on political and ideological reasons and regardless of the nominee's high qualifications. The Democrats' current treatment of Judge Alito is a far cry from the 90-plus bipartisan votes used to confirm President Clinton's nominees Justice Ginsburg and Justice Breyer. So be it.

Judge Alito will be confirmed and Democrats have further exposed their ideological litmus test for the Court. Republicans must be sure to remember this the next time a Democratic President nominates a liberal to the Supreme Court. Regardless of qualifications, Republicans should invoke the "Alito precedent" and vote against the nominee.

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