Samuel Alito, 2005 News

federal judge, was nominated as a U.S. Supreme Court Justice by President Bush in October. Bush selected Alito four days after Harriet Miers withdrew her nomination. If confirmed, Alito will replace Sandra Day O'Connor. He is currently a judge serving on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit, which is based in Philadelphia. Alito has been a federal judge for the past 15 years. Before that he worked as a federal prosecutor and a lawyer, and has argued about a dozen cases before the U.S. Supreme Court. Alito's judicial philosophy is considered to be highly conservative. In fact, over the years he has acquired the nickname “Scalito,” because his views as a judge closely resemble those of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. Conservative groups have reacted favorably to the selection of Alito.