A free suggestion for Senator Harry Reid: Pit Alito vs. O'Connor. If he doesn't measure up at least to her--which, of course, he does not--then put up a "no vacancy" sign. Don't make it simple for her to step down. The Supreme Court is better with her on it, despite her flaws (Gore v. Bush, anyone?), than it will be with "Scalito". He's a Reaganite firebrand at heart, a Federalist Society true believer. He's anti-choice. He's pro-executive power. He strongly opposed the Warren Court's "one-person, one-vote" rulings--isn't that enough to block him, all by itself?
Filibuster.
Demand secret documents that allow you access to the Reagan & Bush Presidential Libraries.
When the Republicans start whining, remind them of the smear job they did on Dr. Lani Guinier.
Don't accept half answers. Ask Alito if he would have voted to stop the vote count in Florida in 2000. Ask him if Scalia's incoherent apologia for stopping the Florida vote count makes any sense to him. ("The counting of votes that are of questionable legality does in my view threaten irreparable harm to petitioner, and to the country, by casting a cloud upon what he claims to be the legitimacy of his election." Do you believe he's supposed to be the brilliant one?) And when Alito demurely declines to comment, just say no.
(One more point: some professorial pundit made the point that it would be hard for the Democrats to filibuster because so much was going on that not enough of the public was paying close attention. Gee, that seems exactly backwards to me. I think the Democrats should filibuster. I think it would benefit them in the long run, even if they ultimately lose, even if everyone if American pays attention, because they would get the chance to showcase their principles and demonstrate that they'll actually stand up for those principles.
But if I'm wrong, and top Dems are nervous about fighting Alito all-out, isn't it better if not everyone is paying attention? And when you're attacked, just tell everyone you feel better with Sandra on the job...)