Alito's fate in hands of Senate

Debate closed by 75-25 vote in the Senate. A roll-call vote will be used to determine whether he will become Justice Alito of the USA Supreme Court. That vote is expected before noon.

Democrats attempted to filibuster but were stopped by the 75-25 vote, which included nineteen Democrats and all Republicans (60 votes needed to end the debate/stop the filibuster).

Just going by that vote, there is no real chance that Alito will fail to be confirmed. As the Washington Post notes, Alito's record casts him as a more conservative Judge than Roberts, and his confirmation will have a larger impact on the Supreme Court since he is replacing the retiring Sanda Day O'Connor "the deciding vote in numerous 5 to 4 decisions over the years" (and not a realibly consistent conservative; and more impact because Roberts replaced the conservative Rehnquist).

The Washington Post includes a section of Senator Kenedy's "ad-libbed speech": "If you are concerned and you want a justice that is going to stand for the working men and women in this country, it's not going to be Judge Alito," Kennedy roared as tourists in the visitors' gallery leaned forward for a better view."