WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito on Thursday seemed headed for a confirmation that may move the high court to the right after the Senate Judiciary Committee ended three days of often aggressive questioning of the 55-year-old conservative.Alito, 55, a federal appeals judge the past 15 years, said if confirmed he would emulate retiring Justice Sandra Day O'Connor's dedication and dignity. But he declined to say if he would demonstrate her centrist views."I am my own person, with whatever abilities I have and whatever limitations I have," said President George W. Bush's nominee."I think if anybody looks at my record on the court of appeals they can get an idea about the way I approach the work of being a judge," said Alito, who was grilled by Democrats on abortion and other hot button issues but who won praise for his equanimity during stressful proceedings that at one point brought his wife to tears.

Bush called Alito "to congratulate him for doing a great job during the hearings and reiterate his appreciation for Judge Alito's willingness to serve on our nation's highest court," said White House spokesman Scott McClellan.While the full Republican-led Senate was expected to confirm Alito later this month, many Democrats were likely to oppose him."It is clear to me that Judge Alito should be confirmed ... and he will be confirmed," said Sen. John Cornyn , a Texas Republican, in voicing the sentiment of many.

SWING VOTE

Bush nominated Alito to replace O'Connor, a more moderate conservative who often has been the swing vote on the nine-member court on abortion and other social issues.Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid said, "The right wing insisted that Justice O'Connor be replaced with a sure vote for their extreme agenda." Reid, from Nevada, and other Democrats will meet next week to discuss the nominee, but some Democrats acknowledged it will be difficult to stop Alito.The Senate vote on Alito was expected to be closer than the 78-22 confirmation nod U.S. Chief Justice John Roberts received in September since Alito could move the court to the right.The committee hoped to wrap up the proceeding after hearing from some outside witnesses. Members of the American Bar Association described why they gave Alito its highest rating, and some of his colleagues on the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals described him as dedicated, brilliant and open-minded.Alito came off as largely unflappable in fending off questions from frustrated Democrats who pushed him for more definitive answers.

Democrats were unsuccessful in securing a commitment from Alito that he would vote to uphold the landmark 1973 decision that legalized abortion -- a major issue since Alito opposed abortion while in the Reagan administration two decades ago.In addition, Democrats wrestled with Alito over his view of presidential powers, which they said is overly broad. Alito deflected questions about the legality of the administration's warrantless eavesdropping on Americans but did say no president was above the law.Sen. Charles Schumer , a New York Democrat, ended his questioning of Alito, telling him, "I just have to tell you that I remain very troubled, not by anything in your personal history, so much as by your judicial views." He cited abortion and presidential powers as top concerns.Sen. Jeff Sessions, an Alabama Republican, countered that the Bar Association had concluded otherwise, telling Alito: "They don't see you as an extremist, out of the mainstream or otherwise."