Democrats decided to put Samuel Alito’s vote on hold for a week (instead of voting today) and it may prove to split that party more than galvanize them against Judge Alito. Nebraska Democratic Senator Benjamin Nelson is the first Democrat to speak out in support of Judge Alito. He is a member of Democrats for Life of America and has a Pro-Life voting record. Nebraska is a red state, Senator Nelson is up for re-election and Republican challengers are chomping at the bit to run against him. So Senator Nelson knew it was in his own best interests to get behind Alito.

I think he made a very smart move. But given he is Liberal on many other issues, if I lived in that state I’d probably vote against him, if a more Conservative candidate runs against him.

Related post: Fellow Judges and The ABA say Sam Alito is OK

update (1/18/2006 1:29PM ET): The Political Teen has video of Senator Nelson’s FoxNews appearance from last night.