US Supreme Court

Debating the merits of President Bush's Supreme Court nominee

Samuel Alito has been appearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee as part of a week-long confirmation hearing that will probe the Supreme Court nominee's views on abortion, the death penalty, freedom of religion and other controversial topics.

The US Senate must decide if President Bush's nominee is fit to sit on the bench of the US Supreme Court.

It's a decision which could have a profound impact on the legal and political culture of the United States for a generation.

Stephen Sackur asks US Conservative lobbyist Manuel Miranda and Michael Carmichael, a Democrat why the nomination is so important.

HARDtalk can be seen on BBC World at 04:30 GMT, 0830 GMT, 1130 GMT, 1530 GMT, 1930 GMT, 0030 GMT

It can also be seen on BBC News 24 at 04:30 and 23:30