President Bush’s nominee for Supreme Court justice, Samuel Alito, seems to be playing well to the middle of the political spectrum, a move that almost certainly ensures him Senate approval:

Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito expressed “great respect” for the precedent established by the landmark Roe v. Wade abortion decision but didn’t commit to upholding it, senators said Tuesday as Alito began a second week courting their support. Sens. Joe Lieberman, D-Conn., and Susan Collins, R-Maine, both used the word “respect” when describing the 55-year-old federal appellate judge’s discussions with them on the 1973 ruling that established abortion rights.

Senators Collins and Lieberman are not cooks, nor demagogues, nor extremists. Alito will make it through the crucible of Senate hearings.