[JURIST] President Bush Wednesday met with a group of former law clerks to Judge Samuel Alito [JURIST news archive], describing them as people with a "wide range of political views", all of whom support Alito's nomination to the US Supreme Court. Addressing the press afterwards, Bush said:

… he has the strong support of all 54 of his former clerks, regardless of their political beliefs. Judge Alito has earned broad support from his fellow judges on the 3rd Circuit. Seven of them took the extraordinary step of testifying on his behalf before the Senate Judiciary Committee. …

All these brilliant legal minds are united in their strong support of Sam Alito. And in his confirmation hearings, the American people saw why. Judge Alito is open-minded and principled. He gives every case careful attention, and he makes decisions based on the merits. Judge Alito understands that the role of a judge is to interpret the law, not to advance a personal or political agenda. Judge Alito is a man of character and integrity. Judge Alito will bring to the Supreme Court a broad range of experience and accomplishment. …

There's no doubt about Judge Alito's qualifications, his intellect, or his complete dedication to our Constitution and laws. He is exactly the kind of person Americans want on the Supreme Court.

The Senate has a constitutional responsibility to give every judicial nominee an up or down vote. In its 216 year history, the Senate has held an up or down vote on every Supreme Court nominee with a majority of Senate support. And I call on the United States Senate to put partisanship aside and give Judge Alito the up or down vote he deserves and to confirm him as the next associate justice of the Supreme Court.

Bush's remarks [text] come as Senate debate on the nomination continues. Alito's confirmation seems only a matter of time [JURIST report] as a majority of senators have announced their support for the nomination. A vote by the full Senate is expected either late this week or early next week. AP has more.