President-elect Barack Obama paid a visit Wednesday to the Supreme
Court and chatted in front of a fireplace with Chief Justice John G.
Roberts Jr., a fellow Harvard law graduate whose confirmation he
opposed three years ago. ...
Wednesday's meeting was described as a relaxed, get-acquainted session. It included Roberts, seven associate justices and Vice President-elect Joe Biden.
The absence of Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr., who was at the court Wednesday morning for arguments in two cases, was a mystery. He has, however, voiced lingering anger over Senate Democrats, including Obama and Biden, who voted against his confirmation three years ago. When walking on Capitol Hill, Alito has said, he crosses to the far side of the street whenever he nears the Senate Office Building.
Wednesday's meeting was described as a relaxed, get-acquainted session. It included Roberts, seven associate justices and Vice President-elect Joe Biden.
The absence of Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr., who was at the court Wednesday morning for arguments in two cases, was a mystery. He has, however, voiced lingering anger over Senate Democrats, including Obama and Biden, who voted against his confirmation three years ago. When walking on Capitol Hill, Alito has said, he crosses to the far side of the street whenever he nears the Senate Office Building.
Ego!
man, talk about wearing your cross on your sleave (yes, that's mixed on purpose)
Posted by: lutton | January 15, 2009 at 12:38 PM
i wonder if his obvious strong feelings can be used to recuse him from any cases involving obama or biden?
of course, alito would have to agree to step aside. a guy with an ego like that might not be able to admit that if he can't stand walking on the same side of the street as someone his judgment may be compromised. but still, it's worth a try.
Posted by: upyernoz | January 15, 2009 at 12:47 PM
Nah. I mean, tactically, you could call on him to recuse himself and then criticize the 5-4 decision as tainted when they rule against Obama, but you'd never get him to actually recuse himself.
Posted by: Mithras | January 15, 2009 at 12:57 PM
When walking on Capitol Hill, Alito has said, he crosses to the far side of the street whenever he nears the Senate Office Building.
Lest Democrats mug him? Or give him cooties?
How heartening to see that a member of teh Supremes has the psychology of a five-year-old...
Posted by: DominEditrix | January 15, 2009 at 02:20 PM
I see it's going to be sandbox rules! I know you are but what am I???
Posted by: serge | January 15, 2009 at 05:44 PM
Waaaaaa!!!
Posted by: AlphaLiberal | January 15, 2009 at 05:51 PM
Obama should put Russ Feingold on the Supreme Court--Alito would never show up again. Twofer!
Posted by: calling all toasters | January 15, 2009 at 05:57 PM
Alito was right when he was at Princeton -- you can't let the ladies and minorities in 'cause they'll just trash the place. Same goes for the White House.
Posted by: Michael Bérubé | January 15, 2009 at 06:08 PM
Dude's a wad.
Posted by: Roxanne | January 15, 2009 at 06:18 PM
Obama should put Russ Feingold on the Supreme Court--Alito would never show up again. Twofer!
Amen!!
Posted by: Calvin Jones and the 13th Apostle | January 15, 2009 at 06:33 PM
Keeping up the tradition of Justice McReynolds who refused to have his picture taken sitting next to Justice Brandeis or anywhere else with the rest of the Supremes in their yearly photo because Brandeis was Jewish.
Posted by: Jim | January 15, 2009 at 06:33 PM
This is what you get when the Federalist Society gets to pick a Supreme Court justice. Movement conservatism and a lust for pure power. An informed, thoughtful philosophy of jurisprudence? Not so much.
Posted by: bobbo | January 15, 2009 at 06:34 PM
It is obvious that as w/ most bushie appointments, the guy w/ the temperament of a 5 year old picks people with the temperament of a 5 year old. bush's hissy fits will be irrelevant soon, but "Scalito"and hundreds of wingnut jurists will be screwing up the law for decades.
Posted by: tomdurk | January 15, 2009 at 06:41 PM
When walking on Capitol Hill, Alito has said, he crosses to the far side of the street whenever he nears the Senate Office Building.
On that side of the street he's 10% more likely to find an 11 year old girl with drugs hidden in her pussy.
This man takes every opportunity to stop crime.
Posted by: Antonin | January 15, 2009 at 06:44 PM
Keeping up the tradition of Justice McReynolds who refused to have his picture taken sitting next to Justice Brandeis or anywhere else with the rest of the Supremes in their yearly photo because Brandeis was Jewish.
Wait a minute - are you saying Obama's Jewish? I thought he was one of them Mooslims!?!
Next you'll be telling us that Jonah's Jewish.
Posted by: SFAW | January 15, 2009 at 06:44 PM
Obama made my wife cry on national TV.
Posted by: Antonin | January 15, 2009 at 06:46 PM
Has Scalito's wife taken off that hideous floral print dress she was wearing when she made Lindsey Graham cry?
Posted by: cosmosis | January 15, 2009 at 07:19 PM
Oh, please. I would cross the street to avoid congresspeople too.
Posted by: Marshall | January 15, 2009 at 07:27 PM
I'm less aghast at Alito than the rest of you.
I would never, ever, ever pretend to be friendly to [for example] Bush, regardless of the nature of the underlying event. I would not do a photo op, I would not have a friendly drink in front of the fireplace, I would not attend a get-acquainted meeting, etc. I would tell him to GFH, now and forever.
Amity is overrated. I prefer grudgeholders sometimes, in all honesty. Frankly the personality traits that make someone a grudgeholder would either make you a great judge or the worst judge ever - it would depend on what principles you would spitefully hold to, and what enemies you would spitefully never concede to.
Posted by: Brian | January 15, 2009 at 07:44 PM
I would never, ever, ever pretend to be friendly to [for example] Bush, regardless of the nature of the underlying event.
I think there's just the teensiest bit of difference between a Senator who voted against your confirmation, and a Preznit who has done his utmost, for the last 8 years, to destroy the America that most of us care about. But then again, what do I know?
Frankly the personality traits that make someone a grudgeholder would either make you a great judge or the worst judge ever - it would depend on what principles you would spitefully hold to, and what enemies you would spitefully never concede to.
Or it would make you a typical Stars-'n'-Bars-forever, I hate Lieberals and DFHs, I'm-so-wrapped-up-in-the-grudge-that-I've-lost-sight-of-rationality kinda guy. But a great judge? Only in a Rethuglican universe. ("Finally, I can get back at all them in-tee-leck-chew-als who wuz laffin' at me in skool".)
Said universe being overrated, of course.
Posted by: SFAW | January 15, 2009 at 08:04 PM
"Obama should put Russ Feingold on the Supreme Court--Alito would never show up again. Twofer!"
Love it!
Posted by: St Paul E Wog | January 15, 2009 at 08:13 PM
When walking on Capitol Hill, Alito has said, he crosses to the far side of the street whenever he nears the Senate Office Building.
I'm sure the majority of the Senate, which voted to confirm him, is utterly charmed by this show of gratitude and respect.
Posted by: Rick Massimo | January 15, 2009 at 08:27 PM
Obama should invite Alito to the White House...and then kick his ass.
Posted by: nerdoff | January 15, 2009 at 10:10 PM
President Nice would never do such a thing. Why should he? He'll let whomever he nominates to replace Stevens do that.
Posted by: Mithras | January 15, 2009 at 10:26 PM
I'm bothered that Alito would be so petty and hold a grudge.
Lets face it, there is no smooth sailing to a Supreme Court seat (esp. these days) -- so he had to have known there would be opposition. It makes me wonder whether he is really the right person to be on that court.
I have to wonder whether his grudges would cause him to vote against a case just out of spite.
Posted by: Mark | January 15, 2009 at 10:51 PM
With any luck
I'm hoping that Alito and Roberts were part of a Federalist Society committee that recommended firing/hiring of USATs for partisan/ideological purposes, and hiring career attorneys for DoJ as well on the same grounds. It would be a great way to get rid of both of them. I expect great things of the White House e-mail server.
If it turns out that way, Alito would be forced to mingle with the Senators at his impeachment trial.
Posted by: Glen Tomkins | January 15, 2009 at 11:08 PM
I predict.
Posted by: Frank | January 15, 2009 at 11:24 PM
Poor guy. Lifetime appointment to the court wasn't enough to satisfy him, he has to be unanimously endorsed, regardless of whether or not he thinks women should be considered chattel.
Posted by: Mr Blifil | January 15, 2009 at 11:47 PM
How long until Justice Stevens retires? Five days?
Posted by: Bajsa | January 16, 2009 at 01:01 AM
Can't Alito resign, and move in with Bush?
Posted by: Mark Andresen | January 16, 2009 at 01:06 AM
The Court has cases before it. I would guess over the summer.
Posted by: Mithras | January 16, 2009 at 01:09 AM
Roberts is upset at the pay scales for the judiciary. There is a powerful argument for doing absolutely nothing about this problem in the hope that Roberts, Alito, et. al., will find the private sector increasingly attractive.
Posted by: bob h | January 16, 2009 at 07:53 AM
Alito and his Federalist Ilk have two primary goals:
1. Subjecting the individual to the hammer of government power.
2. Subjecting the individual to the hammer of corporate power.
Personally, I would favor conscripting the progeny of the entire Federalist roster to sex slavery.
Posted by: biff diggerence | January 16, 2009 at 08:21 AM
Nah. There's no ethical prohibition on judges' outside income. The conservatives on the Court don't need the salary because they're already rich. Roberts is talking about paying District Court judges enough to attract and retain them from law firm litigation departments.
Posted by: Mithras | January 16, 2009 at 08:21 AM
I hear Mrs. Alito was sobbing in the bathroom the whole time.
Posted by: Southern Beale | January 16, 2009 at 08:50 AM
Near where I live is a street named after Alito (Hamilton,NJ). Everyday I go past that sign and have destructive thoughts. Spray paint or sledge hammer? Sign that reads Fascist Ave. or Asshat Boulevard? The possibilities are endless.
Posted by: popin-in | January 16, 2009 at 11:37 AM
Alito is a damaged twit without any of the necessary intellect to find
the gravitas to actually become a jurist of the stature required to
overcome personal problems and ascend to the level of Supreme
Court Justice.
Posted by: Dr. Tettrazini | January 16, 2009 at 11:39 AM
Alito is a light weight egoist bigot but Clarence Thomas is a true
train wreck on automatic pilot up A. Scalia's butt.
Posted by: Long Dong Silver | January 16, 2009 at 11:43 AM
Most of these comments lack intelligence of any conscience and legal proportion!
Alito is human first like all of us and yes..believe it or not...has personal feelings!
My concern would not be about these inate issues of ALL men/women, but more towards the sreaming question you all want to ignore!
These Justices have pending cases and cases still coming forth (let alone the cases already dealt with) with Obama as the defendent or litigant! It is completely unethical for the SCOTUS to have invited these men for a private meeting..behind closed doors under these circumstances! This would be the equivilent of the Judge overseeing OJ's murder trial taking OJ out to lunch during or after his murder trial!
I believe that Alito is the ONLY one of The Supreme Justices that holds true to correct principle and protocol!
Come on people..pull your head out!!
Posted by: Fairflight | January 16, 2009 at 12:17 PM
I love Alito!!! I will love him even more when he deports Nobama back to Africa or better yet....puts him in prison where he belongs for defrauding America!! The truth shall set us free and for Obama it is right around the corner!!! XOXOX That's for Alito who did the right thing!
Posted by: Jackie Smith | January 16, 2009 at 12:37 PM
Fairflight:
What? the Phil Berg suits?
Are you mad? Or just crazy ...
Posted by: wystler | January 16, 2009 at 12:40 PM
wystler,
Neither of the above..but thank you for asking! And for the record, Berg is not the only case implementing Obama! Lightfoot, Donofrio, Wrotnowski, Dr.Orly Taitz, and coming up, Steve Pidgeon!
I am simply stating that, Alito is the only Justice practicing correct and ethical behavior and protocol under the current situtation, ie...cases noted above!
Your friend
Fairflight
Posted by: Fairflight | January 16, 2009 at 01:01 PM
God Bless you, Justice Alito. Finally someone who is willing to stand up and do what is right.
All of you have the audacity (look it up duh) to say Alito has an ego when the idiot you elected has a bigger ego than anyone in the SC, Senate and Congress all in one.
Ahh, did Alito not kiss your Messiah's butt? Poor things, get used to it. If anything, Alito is the only one who shouldn't be recused from the cases against Obama. Seems all of you are fine and happy with the Justices sitting down for a chat with the Obonation knowing that in of itself is a reason they should be recused due to kissing Obama's butt, but do we hear any of you hollering for them to recuse themselves? Thought not. Hypocrits all of you including your Messiah. I hope that the truth comes out and all of you burn in hell along with Obama and take Pelosi with you.
Posted by: rb | January 16, 2009 at 01:02 PM
Nothing but gossip and hearsay about Alito. You people are warped. Roberts shouldn't have bothered showing up either, after all, his appointment was rejected by Obama too. Not everyone has to brown nose like an idiot. Alito isn't a jaded synchophant like the rest.
Posted by: Give it a break | January 16, 2009 at 01:14 PM
Alito isn't wrong to recuse himself. it was a private meeting without the Press, so why give conspirators more to talk about?
Seems to me it was wrong in the first place. it should have been an open meeting with the Press.
Posted by: vrajavala | January 16, 2009 at 01:22 PM
HOOOOORAAAAHHHHH! ALITO. SNUB THE USURPER!!!!!!YESSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: LIBERTY FOREVER | January 16, 2009 at 01:23 PM
When a court cases (s) are pending as there is with Obama, it is totllky unethical to meet with the party. I realize, however, that Obama supporters have NO ethics.
Posted by: Captain Moroni | January 16, 2009 at 01:27 PM
Off with Alito's head. He ethically snubbed the Messiah. Heil Hitler to Obama
Posted by: President Washington | January 16, 2009 at 01:30 PM
How dare Obama compare himself to me???? His followers/worshipers should all be hanged for treason to the Union which I tried to save. Obama wants to replace the Constitution with a Global Order.
Posted by: President Lincoln | January 16, 2009 at 01:33 PM
I hereby recuse myself from having anything to do with any low down liberal skunks. Justice Alito is a true American Patriot for making this posible for us all.
Posted by: Elvis | January 16, 2009 at 01:36 PM