The Hiller Instinct: Hiller Instinct: Cruising to confirmation

Conservatives had a dream and, tonight, it's come true. Right-thinking republicans now control all three branches of the federal government after knocking out Ted Kennedy and John Kerry in a fight for the soul of the Supreme Court.

Hearing it, you wouldn't know it was historic, but for conservatives, Samuel Alito on the Supreme Court is worth even more than.

"And the Red Sox win the World Series."

Republicans began reversing their curse thirty years ago, when President Gerald ford nominated one of the justices who'll be on the court with Alito.

Republican Ronald Reagan added three more, democrat Bill Clinton with two picks kept the court leaning left. But the first President Bush's pair, and this President Bush's two--with Alito replacing moderate Sandra Day O'Connor-- cements the court as conservative.

"This happens to be the wrong judge, at the wrong time, for the court," Sen. Kennedy (D - Mass) said.

Liberals, of course, hate what's happening because until now they could count on the court as an ally, on issues like abortion. But no more…

So, led by Senators Kennedy and Kerry, Alito's opponents made a futile effort to block him with a filibuster.

"It is the only way that we can stop a confirmation that we feel certain will cause irreversible harm to the principles and values that make a real difference in the lives of average Americans," Kerry said.

But Republicans--joined by nineteen democrats--ended the debate with what Washington calls "the nuclear option" blowing up the filibuster.

Know what really got nuked? Senator Kennedy's reputation as a Democrat to be feared by Republicans, and senator Kerry's future credibility as a candidate from anywhere but the left.

Supreme Court justice-to-be Samuel Alito symbolizes conservatives' power in politics. The message to democrats is clear: if you want another new deal, then stop whining and start winning. Republicans rule because the majority rules.

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