It's all over but the crying..

From here:

WASHINGTON — More than a dozen Senate Democrats supported ending debate on Samuel Alito Monday, setting up a final confirmation vote for the Supreme Court nominee on Tuesday morning.

On a 72-25 vote, senators succeeded in passing the 60-vote threshold to prevent a filibuster and allow a simple majority vote Tuesday. Seventeen Democrats joined Republicans to end debate, though many of them oppose Alito's nomination. At least 57 senators have said publicly they will vote for the nominee.

Alito could be sworn in as early as noon Tuesday, in time for a formal introduction to the nation by President Bush during his State of the Union address Tuesday night. Alito will become the 110th Supreme Court justice, replacing Justice Sandra Day O'Connor.

Sorry, Swimmer and Lurch... guess you lose on this one.

(Filed under the fifth column)