Two former law clerks to Judge Samuel Alito came to Nebraska Thursday to urge Senate confirmation of his nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court. Video | Related story: Democrats mull delay of committee vote

Although a Republican news conference praising Alito appeared aimed at pressuring Democratic Sen. Ben Nelson to support the nomination, GOP State Chairman Mark Quandahl acknowledged he has no reason to believe the judge will not receive the senator’s vote.

But “nothing is assured,” he said, until votes are cast.

Nelson has clearly signaled his intention to vote for confirmation of President Bush’s nominee.

“Sen. Nelson has met with Judge Alito, he likes him, he is positioned to support him, he sees nothing in his background that disqualifies him,” said David DiMartino, Nelson’s spokesman.

But Nelson “will let the Judiciary Committee hearing process play out,” DiMartino said.  Confirmation hearings begin next week.

Republican Sen. Chuck Hagel has pledged his support for the nomination.

Alito, a U.S. Appeals Court judge, has “unparalleled credentials (and) the right judicial temperament,” said Hannah Smith, who is an associate with a Washington, D.C., law firm.

Senators should “put ideology aside,” she said, and center on the question of whether Alito is qualified to sit on the high court.

The judge has the “intellectual firepower” to be a brilliant Supreme Court justice, she said.

Smith and her husband, John, clerked for Alito in 2001-2002.

John Smith, an associate with another Washington law firm, said Alito is a man of humility who “treats all with equal respect and dignity.”

Joining the pair in the Capitol Rotunda was a collection of state senators and other elected officials who support Alito’s confirmation.

Reach Don Walton at 473-7248 or at dwalton@journalstar.com. Read Don's thoughts on politics at the Around the Rotunda Weblog.