Lest you think this is fiction - these signs started to appear in the Philadelphia area just before the election, paid for by Arlen’s former campaign manager. This particular picture originially appeared in the Philly Daily News.
Posted on 11/14/2004 5:10:06 PM PST by GeneralHavoc
Senator Bill Frist, the Republican majority leader, said Sunday that he was troubled by Senator Arlen Specter's recent remarks about potential judicial nominees, and that Mr. Specter must convince his fellow Republicans that he deserves to be chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee.
"Arlen made some statements the day after the election," Dr. Frist, of Tennessee, said on "Fox News Sunday" in an interview with Chris Wallace. "They were disheartening to me; they were disheartening to a lot of people."
Mr. Specter said just after he won re-election that Supreme Court nominees who wanted to undo abortion rights would face tough confirmation fights in the Senate. Those remarks, in keeping with Mr. Specter's support of abortion rights and with his maverick personality, put him at odds with conservative Republicans and annoyed the White House.
Mr. Specter tried Sunday to ease the concerns of his party, saying in an interview with George Stephanopoulos on the ABC News program "This Week" that he had never required "a litmus test" for Supreme Court nominees. "The record is conclusive that I have never done that," he said.
Mr. Specter wants and is in line for the Judiciary post when Senator Orrin G. Hatch of Utah steps down because of Republican rules limiting the terms of chairmen.
Dr. Frist pointedly declined to endorse Mr. Specter for the post on Sunday, saying that the Pennsylvania senator should lobby his Republican colleagues in the Senate's lame-duck session this week. "The case needs to be made to the leadership of the United States Senate," Dr. Frist said, "and also to the existing members of the Judiciary Committee."
Mr. Specter did pick up some support on Sunday. Senator Richard G. Lugar, Republican of Indiana, said he backed Mr. Specter but mainly because of Senate rules. "If Republicans decide they want to change of all them, that's a different situation," Mr. Lugar said in an interview with Wolf Blitzer on CNN. "But they haven't, and therefore Specter ought to be the chairman."
Another Republican, Senator John McCain of Arizona, said on "This Week" that he backed Mr. Specter without reservation. "I believe that Arlen has done a good job," Mr. McCain said. "I think he'll be confirmed."
Sounds to me like the campaign against Specter is working. Keep going, folks.
Time to lift the tempo.
There IS a God!
Despite Frist's outwardly mild-mannered appearance, he apparently has a substantial backbone.
It's Time to Find a THIRD PARTY, I've been lied to for the LAST time. Specter MUST go down, he's screwed us to many times!
Once again, McCain lines up on the wrong side of things.
I'll believe it when I see it. Talk is cheap and, so far, Frist has fallen short on deeds.
Frist has backbone? My a$$!
Where was his backbone with Bush's judicial nominees?
Frist is just another testosterone-free, pencil-necked Republican wimp.
My prediction? Specter gets the Chairmanship of the Judiciary Committee.
You have a point. However, with a greater majority as well as momentum, I believe we'll be able to accomplish a great many things. Certainly, it's refreshing to see key senate positions not automatically being awarded based upon seniority rather than on merit.
Imagine that.
You know what would be hilarious? Actually to "bork" MacSpectre. I mean, make him answer for every loopy vote, every crosseyed statement, the testimony of former employees, and on and on and on FOREVER.
Well, hilarious... but not wise. Sigh. /c8
Dan
Lest you think this is fiction - these signs started to appear in the Philadelphia area just before the election, paid for by Arlen’s former campaign manager. This particular picture originially appeared in the Philly Daily News.
He almost certainly will. The question is: will it mean anything? Probably not.
The GOP majority will be sufficient to carry the committee, even if Specter votes "nay". And Specter will be held to a promise not to bottle-up any judicial nominees in committee.
Ergo, both Specter and the GOP majority get "cover" while Bush (and we conservatives) get floor votes on the nominees we want.
Senate rules do not require automatic appointment of Specter. Vote by secret ballot in the SJC is also permitted by Senate rules. With the committee chaired by Specter control will pass to the democrats, and don't be deceived -- once Specter is in, he'll be impossible to remove.
Yep -- I'm with you. I think Specter is safe.
In fact, I wish this whole thing would hurry up and resolve itself already. (Not that it isn't worth fighting, mind you. I guess I just get bored easily. LOL!)
You are correct. This is Frist trying to deflect responsibility.
Inform Frist that HE ALONE will be held responsible for Specter rising to chairmanship. Frist can reassign Specter to another committee. He has that power.
FRIST IS RESPONSIBLE. Tell him so and inform him there WILL BE a primary challenge if he does not move Specter.
Frist is not running for another term.
Frist will have lots of primary challengers. I expect at least 6, maybe 12, people to be in the 2008 Republican Presidential Primaries.
Let's make those "hurdles" HIGH HURDLES!
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