Dem Senate challengers would reject Samuel Alito

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http://www.thehill.com/thehill/export/TheHill/News/Campaign/012506.html

By David Mikhail and Andrew Barr

None of the Democrats challenging incumbent Republican senators in competitive midterm races has said they would vote to confirm Judge Samuel Alito to the Supreme Court.

While Chief Justice John Roberts Jr. received support from a majority of such challengers, the Democrats offer a striking contrast on Alito. Even though these Senate hopefuls will not have a say in the upcoming floor vote, political observers are closely tracking their public comments on the controversial nominee.

The question of whether to confirm Alito is politically difficult for Democrats running in red states. If they reject Alito, the candidates open themselves to obstruction criticisms. If they support Alito, they could alienate political donors.

All Democratic candidates surveyed by The Hill who answered definitively said they would vote against Alito, who would replace centrist Justice Sandra Day O’Connor. The remaining candidates either provided no comment or did not respond...