Since you asked, Jonah: I think Alito was a very good choice, that he will win confirmation, that he will be a good justice, and that the nomination and confirmation will be modestly helpful to Bush politically. (Note to Andrew Sullivan, who appears confused about these matters: This does not mean that I’m saying that his nomination was a good idea because it will be helpful politically.) If I were a senator, my top priority in the hearings would be to try to figure out his view of precedent in constitutional cases.