Gavel Down

The Alito hearings have begun.

The Washington Post Campaign for the Court blog is posting the Senators' opening statements.

You know, just in case you prefer your bloviating in written form (and I know you do).

• Michelle Malkin is rounding up SCOTUS links as I write this. And, for the record, because I'm sitting next to her right now, I can testify that she types REALLY fast and I'm just trying to stay out of the way. A whirlwind of wrists and elbows, I tell ya.
• AP is reporting that the Alito fan club is growing:

Six in 10 Americans plan to tune in to the Senate confirmation hearings that start today for Supreme Court nominee Samuel A. Alito, and his supporters continue to outnumber his opponents by about a 2-1 ratio.

• SCOTUS Blog will be liveblogging.


• Some of Alito's personal quirks, as reported by his wife. Big Springsteen fan, he is.