In his application for a position as Deputy Assistant Attorney General in 1985, Judge Alito said:

"I am and always have been a conservative and an adherent to the same philosophical views that I believe are central to this Administration.....I believe very strongly in limited government, federalism, free enterprise, the supremacy of the elected branches of government, the need for a strong defense and effective law enforcement, and the legitimacy of a government role in protecting traditional values.

....

Most recently, it has been an honor and source of personal satisfaction for me to serve in the office of the Solicitor General during President Reagan's administration and to help to advance legal positions in which I personally believe very strongly. I am particularly proud of my contributions in recent cases in which the government has argued in the Supreme Court that racial and ethnic quotas should not be allowed and that the Constitution does not protect a right to an abortion.

Pretty unremarkable stuff really. It strikes us as a rally good summation of just the sort of person who should be nominated to the Supreme Court. Hopefully, this reflects his current views. It will fire up the liberal interest groups though, to put it mildly. Conservatives wanted a fight about the role of the judiciary. Looks like we'll get one now. Bring It On!

More from Patterico, Prof Bainbridge, and Confirm Them.