ZagAlito Survey: Chat With Former Alito Law Clerks

We've just finished chatting with three former Alito law clerks (Dana Douglas, Michael Park, and Craig Gottlieb).  Below are highlights from our conversation (generally paraphrased, except as indicated Zagat-style):

- Craig Gottlieb assesses that Alito is so far doing "quite well" in the hearings and that the tone of his testimony has been similar to his "normal conversation style".  On the topic of attacks from the opposition (notably the Vanguard and CAP issues), he feels the arguments have been "effectively and correctly diffused."

- Michael Park remembers the nominee as a "great boss" who he "can't say enough good things about".  He found his demeanor to be a perfect balance between "hardworking and intense" and "laid back and relaxed".  He also believes the judge to be more "judicially restrained" and less "ideologically driven" than either Justice Thomas or Justice Scalia.

- Dana Douglas reports her clerkship was the "best experience of [her] career".  Alito was an "excellent mentor" from whom she learned a lot.  She found him to be "mild mannered and respectful" and a man who the "American people would be lucky to have on the Court," though she did suggest he would do well to "smile more" during the hearings.