Article: JUDGING ALITO HOW CONSERVATIVE DOES A SUPREME COURT NOMINEE HAVE TO BE FOR DEMOCRATS TO FILIBUSTER UNDER 'EXTRAORDINARY CIRCUMSTANCES?' WE'RE ABOUT TO FIND OUT. IF DEMOCRATS PICK A FIGHT, THEY'D BETTER MAKE SURE THEY WIN.(FORUM)(GUEST COLUMN)(Column)

Byline: Peter Brown

He's ready for a high-stakes game of chicken over the Supreme Court nomination. George Bush's choice of Samuel Alito is an acknowledgement that politics is a zero-sum game, and that pleasing your supporters -- especially when they're in the majority -- takes precedence over the other side's complaints.

Bush has been in a slump; his poll numbers stink. The Supreme Court nomination of Alito, however, is the act of a man who knows that there is nothing better to reverse sagging fortunes than winning an all-out battle.

He is daring Democrats to make his day.

In a party-line division, Democrats don't have the votes to defeat Alito -- unless ...

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