I am not a big fan of these hearings. Like a lot of people, I probably watch for the gotcha moments, but the Alito hearing was a pleasant surprise. I found myself becoming quite engrossed in Judge Alito's explanations of basic legal concepts, judicial philosophy and other matters. I would have loved to take a class from this guy.

My background is engineering, and its uncommon, but not rare to meet engineers who have total mastery over a technology. You can ask them anything, at anytime, and they can without notes or forethought, provide a detailed analysis or explanation on the spot. It is as if they live in a mental construct where everything is right in front of their eyes, clearly visible to them even as it appears obscure or downright opaque to everyone else.

Until today, I didn't know that the same paradigm could exist within legal circles.

Judge Alito seems to be able to recall every case (over 4000 of them) that he's adjudicated, as well as every case anyone else has ever adjudicated.

With John Roberts, his qualifications were a matter of references, and his hearings a matter of goal tending. Judge Alito on the other hand actually demonstrates his qualifications for the office for us mere mortals with average to above average IQs while we gaze slack-jawed at the display.

In my estimation, its a huge mistake for the Democrats to extend the hearings another day, because for each hour I watch Judge Alito, I become more convinced that not only is he qualified to become a justice on the Supreme Court, but he may have divine right to the office.