From the National Journal’s PollTrack (edited):
Overall, the public’s initial impression of Alito is lukewarm compared to that of Chief Justice John Roberts when he was first nominated. Forty-three percent gave Alito a good or excellent rating; 51 percent told CNN/Gallup/USA Today pollsters that they had the same opinion of Roberts. Alito’s numbers are closer to the original ratings of White House counsel Harriet Miers. When President Bush first selected her, 44 percent rated her as a good or excellent pick in a CNN/Gallup/USA Today survey.
Thirty-eight percent of respondents said they believe if Alito is confirmed he would vote to overturn Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 ruling that legalized abortion. Another 38 percent said he would not and about a quarter offered no opinion.
And a majority of Americans might not feel comfortable with those implications: Fifty-three percent said they’d want senators to reject Alito’s nomination if he would definitely overturn Roe. Thirty-seven percent said they would want to see the judge approved. A slim majority — 51 percent — said Alito’s views on important issues fall within the mainstream, while 26 percent said they’re too extreme and 23 percent had no opinion.
On Capitol Hill, Alito’s nomination has sparked criticism from Democrats and resurrected talk of the so-called “nuclear option.” Half of respondents said Senate Democrats would be justified in using the filibuster to block a vote on Alito. Forty percent said such a move would not be justified.
If Democrats employed the filibuster, 45 percent said it would be reasonable for GOP senators to change the rules to eliminate the procedure, ensuring their nominee received an up-or-down vote — but a slight 47-percent plurality said such a move wouldn’t be justified.
