Liberal Groups Gear Up to Oppose Confirmation of Alito

O'Brien said, however, that the recent addition of national security and wiretapping issues to the catalogue of liberal concerns about Alito "pushes the stakes so much higher -- it's the kind of issue that gets to these progressive donors in a special way." He described the potential for anti-Alito fundraising in the coming weeks as "huge," with privacy issues tapping into "a very powerful fear that will drive a lot of progressive energy."

"It takes it to a whole new level," he said.

Liberal activists say they are methodically building their campaign and are satisfied with knowing that many senators remain uncommitted. "Momentum is building in opposition," said Nan Aron, president of the Alliance for Justice, which opposes Alito.

One operative working with the operation run by IndependentCourt.org, a coalition of liberal groups, likened the campaign to a football game, in which yardage is gained in increments. "This is an inches game," she said. "We're gaining ground on this inch by inch."

Although some commentators had predicted that the public battle over the Supreme Court would take on the dimensions of a presidential campaign with its ad intensity, that has yet to occur with the Alito nomination.

Groups on both sides have spent just under $650,000, according to a new report by the nonpartisan Justice at Stake Campaign. Most of that money -- 54 percent -- has been spent by conservative groups, although liberal groups have been closing the gap lately with ad buys in Rhode Island and Maine, the report said.

Bert Brandenburg, executive director of the Justice at Stake Campaign, said that though advocacy groups are hugely influential, they are most powerful when they can build on perceptions that are already widely held among the public. "The groups look for opportunities to sway the debate, but they can't do it on their own," he said. "It will take the right environment for them to have an impact."

Brandenburg said the hearings could provide such an opportunity to rally supporters and pressure senators. "The real public campaign hasn't begun yet because few people are focused on this right now," he said. "It is clear that big guns have not been fired."