[JURIST] Democratic Senator Ben Nelson [official website] (NE) on Tuesday became the first in his party to show his support for US Supreme Court nominee Judge Samuel Alito [JURIST news archive]. Nelson, seen as a moderate leader in Congress, said in a press release that his support stemmed from Alito's "impeccable judicial credentials, the American Bar Association's strong recommendation [JURIST report] and his pledge that he would not bring a political agenda to the court." Though the majority of the Senate's 44 Democrats are expected to oppose Alito, no Democrat has threatened to filibuster, largely because they are believed to lack the 41 votes necessary to sustain a filibuster in the Senate. Reuters has more.

Previously in JURIST's Paper Chase...

• Senior Democrat warns against Alito filibuster
• Bush urges quick confirmation for Alito in radio address
• Specter announces support for Alito while Democrats seek to delay vote

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