Liberal Groups Vow to Dig In

THE NATION

By expanding the battle against Alito even though a filibuster is unlikely, Democrats hope to make the GOP pay in November.

January 13, 2006|Ronald Brownstein | Times Staff Writer

Stephen Hourahan, Chafee's press secretary, said the senator was concerned that Alito "wasn't willing to go as far as Roberts" in describing the Roe vs. Wade decision as "settled law."

The two leading candidates in the Democratic primary who hope to take on Chafee have said they would oppose Alito.

A Chafee vote for Alito would open him to attack from the Democrats in a generally liberal state.

But on Thursday, pressure mounted on Chafee to stand by his party when Stephen P. Laffey, a conservative challenging him in the GOP primary, announced his support for Alito. A Chafee vote against Alito, while potentially aiding him in the general election, could help derail Chafee's renomination bid.

In Ohio, Democrats are hoping the Alito vote will provide fodder for their efforts to unseat Republican Sen. Mike DeWine in what is expected to be a close race.

DeWine has praised Alito; the two Democrats vying to oppose him -- Iraq veteran Paul Hackett and Rep. Sherrod Brown -- have criticized the nomination.

Brown said that although DeWine's support for Alito might not become a central issue in the campaign, it would fit into a larger indictment that the incumbent, "while a decent guy, has been a foot soldier for Bush on every major issue."

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