By host Tom Ashbrook:

The country went a dozen years without a single change on the U.S. Supreme Court and, in a matter of the last few months, there were two vacancies. Chief Justice John Roberts is already on the bench. Today is grilling time for nominee Judge Samuel Alito before the Samuel Alito before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee.

Alito is a lifelong conservative aimed at the moderate, swing-vote seat of Sandra Day O’Connor. If confirmed, he would give conservatives effective control of all three branches of federal government – White House, Congress, and the High Court. Republicans are ready to celebrate but Democrats may yet filibuster.

Hear about Alito’s confirmation hearings before the U.S. Senate and the profound issues before the nation.

Guests:

Jan Crawford Greenburg, covers Supreme Court for The Chicago Tribune

David Barron, professor at Harvard Law School, has advised Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee on Alito and Roberts,clerked for Justice Stevens at the Supreme Court

Edward Whelan III, President of the Ethics and Public Policy Center, clerked for Justice Scalia at the Supreme Court