Until he is more forthcoming, the Senate should continue to block his confirmation.

They also indicated, however, that they saw little chance of blocking his confirmation.

"If this is just a political argument, because some people think she's too liberal, is that enough to block her confirmation?"

But Democratic strategists say they are not ready to give up the one tactic that could enable them to block confirmation.

The extreme right is running a campaign of smears to block his confirmation, even to deny him a hearing.

Civil rights and abortion rights groups are mobilizing to block his confirmation.

Democrats in the Senate say that while they are unhappy with some appointments, they see few grounds on which to block confirmation.

Indicating that they would not seek to block his confirmation, anti-abortion groups nevertheless expressed disappointment with the choice.

"I don't think these issues are going to block his confirmation," Mr. Goodman said.

With no other way to block confirmation, the Senate Democrats started to filibuster judicial nominees.