An early Gallup Poll on Alito here. Probably not worth much at this point, but here’s the summary (HT: Byron York at The Corner):
About the same number of Americans rate Alito’s selection either excellent or good (43%) as rate it fair or poor (39%). Miers received a similar rating, but Roberts’ rating was somewhat more positive: 51% excellent or good, 34% fair or poor.
More people feel positive rather than negative about Alito personally — 44% to 19%, respectively — with another third offering no rating. Again, Miers’ rating was similar, but a majority, 54%, gave Roberts a favorable personal rating.
About half of those interviewed Tuesday night believe Alito’s views are mainstream, while a quarter think his views are too extreme, and another quarter have no opinion.
It doesn’t bother most Americans (75%) that Alito is a man nominated to replace the first woman ever appointed to the Supreme Court. About the same percentage were not bothered when Roberts was first nominated to replace O’Connor (after Chief Justice William Rehnquist died, President Bush nominated Roberts to become chief justice).
The public is evenly divided as to whether Alito probably would or would not vote to overturn Roe v. Wade. Thirty-eight percent believe he would, and an equal percentage think he would not, with the rest offering no opinion.
If it becomes clear Alito would vote to reverse Roe v. Wade, Americans would not want the Senate to confirm him, by 53% to 37%.
If most Senate Democrats oppose the nomination and decide to filibuster against Alito, 50% of Americans believe they would be justified, while 40% say they would not.
If the Republicans then decide to eliminate the filibuster on judicial nominations, to ensure an “up-or-down vote” on the nomination, Americans would be evenly divided as to whether that tactic was justified — 45% say it would be, 47% say it would not.
The views about Alito, especially whether he should be confirmed if he opposes Roe v. Wade, are highly partisan. Majorities of Republicans and conservatives favor confirmation in that circumstance, while even larger majorities of independents, Democrats, moderates, and liberals are opposed.
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