The First Defector

Dem Senator Ben Nelson of Nebraska has announced his decision on Alito:

Sen. Ben Nelson of Nebraska on Tuesday became the first Democrat to announce he will vote to confirm Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito.

Nelson, one of the most conservative Democrats in Congress, said in a statement that he had made up his mind to support Alito "because of his impeccable judicial credentials, the American Bar Association's strong recommendation and his pledge that he would not bring a political agenda to the court."

No real surprise there, especially since I believe Nelson is up for reelection this year. At least this means there won't be a straight party line vote on the nomination.