[JURIST] President George W. Bush praised US Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito [official profile; JURIST news archive] as a “man of character and intelligence” during his Saturday radio address [text], saying the United States would be fortunate to have him on the bench. Focusing on Alito’s qualifications, Bush stressed his nominee's integrity and reiterated that he would not use his personal preferences when interpreting the Constitution. He urged the Senate to confirm Alito promptly after Democrats late this week asked Senate Judiciary Committee chairman Arlen Specter to delay the panel’s vote [JURIST report]. The Judiciary Committee is expected to meet on January 17. Bloomberg has more.