Her Idea of Justice: Absolutely Not Alito

"You know, I thought if things were different, I could call her up and say, 'Let's play tennis,' " says Aron, who like Miers enjoys the game. "I'm sure she expected opposition from the Democrats, but she got opposition from her own party. That's when it hurts the most."

The cynics may see a bit of backhanded crowing in such comments, but Aron sounds sincere.

Note to Alito: If Aron invites you to a tennis match, wear a cup.

The Alliance, an organization with a budget of about $5 million, is now poring over Alito's 15-year record on the federal bench. The fight is for the Alito narrative, how he's painted before the public as he heads into hearings in January.

There are 253 split decisions and 645 unanimous ones to read. Young lawyers such as David Mickenberg and Avril Luongo of "the pit," where the researchers are stationed, know this because they are busy copying and collating the cases.

In the staff meeting there is talk of media and calls to law professors to solicit their input and support, a poll the group is sponsoring, and ad buys.

"People who know these nominees are going to say nice things," Aron says. "The need to reach out and get other voices out there is imperative."

The race is on for the Senate's Gang of 14, too, those seven Republicans and seven Democrats who helped save the filibuster option and who will be key in this fight, she says.

In Ted Kennedy's Senate office -- where no lobbying is needed -- Aron, lobbyist Richard Woodruff and Rosenthal sit down with an aide to see how the Alliance can help.

"Just keep sending us research," the aide tells them. The meeting lasts less than a half an hour.

Back at the office there are reporters' calls to return and then a meeting with a speechwriter.

Aron's office is full of memorabilia, posters, pictures and cartoons. There is a brick on the bookshelf from a Tennessee prison. As a young lawyer Aron worked on the ACLU's prisoners' rights project. One of her friends climbed over the fence and retrieved a brick for her when the prison was torn down. A framed picture of her and Henderson with a roll call list from the confirmation fight over John Ashcroft hangs on the wall behind her.