Sorry, we’ve been busy with Alito hearing stuff. A few things for the late afternoon roundup:

1. The White House is extremely happy with the proceedings in the Senate confirmation hearing of Judge Samuel Alito.

2. Democrats are not. They are so frustrated by their members’ poor performance and inability to get traction that they have indicated a willingness to Chairman Specter to cancel a third day of questioning by members (the 20-minute followup question round) and go right to the panels.

3. Look for the conservatives in the House to put formally press Rep. John Shadegg into the House Leader race. There is growing concern about both both Reps. Roy Blunt and John Boehner, and conservatives are looking for a third option.

4. Rep. Jerry Lewis is not that option.

More on all of this going into tonight and tomorrow morning.