Besides the fact that they are obstructionist Democrats, can anyone explain why they are bothering to do this?
What do they see as the strategic advantage in delaying the hearings for a week, other than just doing it because they can?
I don't think there's any advantage at all, unless the Dems want to cook up some more Mary Mapes' type of work against Alito. In a week's time they could forge all sorts of documents.
1) They want to claim they gave a fair hearing before nuking him
Or
2) They hope the extra week may turn something up before the vote they can use against him. Hey, it could happen.