Alito

David Kirkpatrick has an article in today's New York Times entitled "Advocacy Groups Prepare New Ad Campaigns on Alito."  Excerpt:

The advertising campaigns on both sides are the most visible components of a last-minute push by advocacy groups anticipating a potentially close Senate vote. With the hearings set to begin next Monday, both sides are seeking to open new fronts in their lobbying battle. The liberals are adding new issues to commercials about Judge Alito's judicial record that began months ago, while the conservatives are reaching out to groups usually found in the Democratic ranks.

I noted some time ago that Steve Hildebrand, former campaign manager for Tom Daschle in 2004 and Tim Johnson in 2002, is working with other Democrats to defeat Judge Alito's nomination:

Jenny Backus, a former communications director for the Democratic National Committee and Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, and Jim Jordan, former executive director of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, are advising the coalition. Steve Hildebrand of Hildebrand and Tewes and several of his staff also are working to defeat the nomination.

Since Hildebrand was Tim Johnson's campaign manager in 2002, this may tell us something about how Johnson will vote.  Perhaps more importantly, the question should be whether or not Johnson will filibuster Alito's nomination.  Doing so could place him in the same position as Daschle.