The Life of the Party? Only in the 'Grand Old' Sense.

This, obviously, is not disqualifying. What better place for a supreme square than the Supreme Court? And President Bush, a frat boy himself, has acquired a taste for the nerdy: His nominee for Federal Reserve Board chairman, Ben Bernanke, is known for wearing tan socks with dark suits.

On the other hand, Alito has the disadvantage of following John Roberts, who was just as smart but carried himself like a big man on campus: athletic build, quick humor and good looks. Compared with Roberts, Alito looks as if he were in town for a "Star Trek" convention.

In the office of Sen. Mike DeWine (R-Ohio), when cameras and microphones got too close, the nominee pushed himself deeper into his seat. Leaving a meeting with Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.), Alito reached to shake the senator's hand, then quickly pulled it back when sensing that Nelson was not ready. Greeting Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.), Alito stood in the reception room clasping and unclasping his hands, then rubbing his right index finger.

Leaving the office of Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) yesterday, Alito caught his foot in carpeting and briefly stumbled while getting in the elevator.

When he walks between visits, Alito arches his back and stretches his neck. Wearing a fixed grin, he bobs his head right and left so frequently that reporters following him have dubbed him a "Bobblehead."

The nominee walks in almost complete silence between stops, unrecognized by passing tourists, rarely conversing even with his White House handlers as they wait for elevators. His public words are perfunctory.

"Very good meeting," he said, leaving Johnson's office.

"Can you stop and talk to us?" a TV producer called out.

Alito looked stricken. "No," he said. "But it was a very good meeting."

Occasionally, the nominee cannot escape the public eye, as when a photographer jumped in the Senate subway with him yesterday. Alito passed the ride making small talk with Coats about the mechanics of the subway. Disembarking in the Russell Building's basement, he was pursued down a hallway by a media pack -- until he and Coats ducked into a men's room. One of his handlers stood guard at the door. "No one follows!" she ordered.

Next stop: the office of Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Tex). Alito sat stiffly, his buttoned suit jacket bunching up, his fingers gripping his knees, his toes pointed inward. He tapped his foot on the ground anxiously. But, there was progress: This time, his shoelaces were tied.