Samuel Alito was confirmed to the the U-S Supreme Court today on a 58-42 vote. Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley, a Republican, is among those backing Alito. Grassley predicted last week Senate Democrats would drag their feet on the Alito vote so it would come in the same news cycle as President Bush’s big speech, raining on Alito’s parade.

Grassley says “Even considering the fact it’s coming on the same day as the State of the Union and he might not get the glory he’s entitled to, we’re getting one darn good American jurist to be on the Supreme Court and I’m thankful that the process is working out, even though it took a little longer than it should have.” The Senate defeated an effort Monday by Democrats to block Alito’s nomination with a filibuster. If confirmed today, Alito may be sitting with the justices at tonight’s address. Iowa Senator Tom Harkin, a Democrat, opposed Alito’s nomination.