That appears to be the motivation of the left. I would love to meet one person in America that honestly believes that the time will be used to come to a decision. The only possible reason for this delay is so they can whine more and allow the wacko base to raise more money. Even TOM is reporting that motivation.

The Senate Judiciary Committee will vote on Judge Samuel Alito’s nomination to the Supreme Court on Jan. 24, officials announced Monday night, and the full Senate will begin debate the following day.

[...]

Democrats have not yet ruled out mounting a filibuster to delay or prevent a final vote. But that appears increasingly unlikely in the wake of Alito’s testimony at confirmation hearings last week, where he parried sharply worded Democratic attacks on his judicial record and personal credibility without a major stumble.

The hearings concluded last Friday, and Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., the committee chairman, said he intended to schedule a committee vote for this week on the nomination.

Democrats said at the time that they intended to object, and they did, a move that Frist called “unjustified and desperate partisan obstructionism.”

Under the rules, any senator can force a delay in a vote for one week.

Sen. Frist was just being nice. It’s no wonder that the left is so closely tied with Hollywood — The only tool they have left is preening and posing for the cameras.

Democrats said they wanted to give senators time to observe a three-day holiday weekend without coming back to face an immediate vote. At the same time, they came under pressure from outside interest groups that want as much time as possible to try to rally public opposition [Read:Raise Money - ed.] to the nomination.

A secondary motivation would be a desire to irritate the right. Taunting the opposition when the game is close might work. Doing so when the outcome is in sight is just silly. This move will only play well with the tinfoil base. The rest of America will see it for what it is — “unjustified and desperate partisan obstructionism.”

In the end Samuel Alito will be confirmed. Even with the delay he will be sworn in before the court reconvenes. The LLL (Loony Left Leadership) will have added another straw to back of the camel of their party. Good job, guys. Thanks.