Daily Briefing - Alito: 'Revenge of the Nerd'

•WP-ABC poll: 49% of Americans wantSamuel Alitoconfirmed, 30% do not; 73% of Republicans, 33% of Democrats support him; 44% believe his positions are "about right." [ WP ]

•Gang of 14 might be "fraying" overAlito;Ben Nelsonhas a "comfort level" with the nominee. [ USAT , WT ]

• Alito's record on civil rights is "a significant cleavage point between his supporters on the right and detractors on the left, even before activists on both sides have completed poring over his opinions." [ WP ]

• AlitotoldRichard Durbinthat he carefully deliberated over '91 abortion judgment: "He said he had spent more time worrying and working over that decision than over any other decision he made when he was a judge." [ NYT ]

• Alitohas been private with his personal political opinions. [ LAT ]

• Alito"dissents slightly more often than the typical appeals court judge, and his dissenting opinions are almost always more conservative than the majority's." [ NYT ]

•Democrats want to take their time withAlito. [ LAT ]

• Alitofavored some gay rights in college. [ LAT ]

• Alitojoined ROTC at Princeton to be an officer if drafted. [ WP ]

•WithAlito, the "revenge of the nerd" strikes the Senate, writesMilbank. [ WP ]