Bush seeks recovery with Alito nomination

US President George W Bush, stung by the collapse of his previous choice, nominated veteran judge Samuel Alito yesterday in a bid to reshape the Supreme Court and mollify his conservative allies.

But ready-to-rumble Democrats warned Mr Alito may be an extremist who would curb abortion rights.

"Judge Alito .... has more prior judicial experience than any Supreme Court nominee in more than 70 years," Mr Bush said, drawing an unspoken contrast to his recent choice, Harriet Miers.