Bush urges speedy confirmation of Alito's candidacy

US George W. Bush urged senators yesterday to quickly approve his choice of Samuel Alito for the Supreme Court, even as Democrats said they would try to delay an initial vote despite the apparent momentum toward his confirmation.

"The Senate has a duty to give Judge Alito a prompt up-or-down vote," Bush said in his weekly radio address.

"America is fortunate to have a man of his intellect and integrity willing to serve, and as a justice on our nation's highest court, Sam Alito will make all Americans proud," Bush said.

Democratic Senator Patrick Leahy said on Friday in the waning minutes of Alito's confirmation hearing that unnamed Democrats will "exercise their rights" to put off next week's scheduled vote in the Senate Judiciary Committee. Democrats say they won't be ready on Tuesday to vote on his nomination since Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid has called on party members to hold off making a decision until after a meeting on Wednesday.

Bush that Alito had acquitted himself well during the hearings. He said that the nominee's wife, Martha-Ann Bomgardner -- whose departure from the testy confirmation hearing in tears elicited bipartisan sympathy -- had exhibited "patience and dignity" during the process.

The president noted the Senate has confirmed Alito, a 15-year member of the federal 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals in Philadelphia, to two previous positions by unanimous consent.

"As the American people saw this week, Judge Alito always approaches the law in a thoughtful, fair and open-minded way," Bush said.

"Throughout his life, Sam Alito has demonstrated a mastery of the law, great decency and a strong commitment to public service," he continued.

All 10 Republicans on the Judiciary Committee have announced their support for Alito, a 55-year-old jurist who is Bush's choice to replace retiring Justice Sandra Day O'Connor.