"Wary of a filibuster, Democrats push Judiciary Committee vote back a week from previously expected Jan. 17. That could prevent confirmation before Bush's State of Union address and widen window for pressuring swing senators," the Wall Street Journal's Washington Wire reports.
"In next week's Judiciary hearings, Democrats hope to erode Alito's support among civil libertarians by linking his deference to White House power with domestic spying. Long opinion trail, Sen. Schumer says, will force Alito to answer more questions than Roberts."
Meanwhile, the New York Times reports Senate Democrats will call "at least two witnesses who could question the credibility" of Alito.