Posted on 11/15/2004 3:51:39 AM PST by Always Right
Our Resolve:
Whereas, liberal Senator Arlen Specter is in line to be Chairman of the Judiciary Committee.
Whereas, liberal Arlen Specter has a stated litmus test against pro-life judges.
Whereas, liberal Arlen Specter has stated he will fight against conservative judges
Whereas, in the past liberal Arlen Specter has helped defeat great judges like Robert Bork,
Whereas, the Democrats have loaded the Judiciary Committee with extreme liberals such as Kennedy, Feinstein, Leahy, and Schumer.
Whereas, liberal Arlen Specter is in a position to turn our huge and historic election victory into a defeat by killing the nomination of all decent judges,
Be it resolved, that we will do whatever it takes to get liberal Arlen Specter off the Judiciary Committee!
Updates:
11-15 Update: Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist withheld offering any support Specter and raised the bar for supporting Specter. Frist stated, "I would expect Chairman Specter to go one step further — if it's Chairman Specter, whoever that chairman is — and that is to have a strong predisposition to supporting that nominee sent over by President Bush." I see this as a huge as Specter will not be able to say this and not meet Frist's criteria. So by the criteria established by the Senate leader, Specter can not be confirmed as chairman of the Judiciary.
We are making progress! I see this as a major step as Frist is signaling that Specter is not the right man for the job. Keep up the pressure, especially on the judiciary member. Specter will be taking to all of these members, pleading his case. These are the men who will decide Specter's fate in early January.
Hypocrite Lugar supports Specter: In an odd development, Senator Lugar stated his support for Specter becoming chairman mainly because of GOP Senate rules. Lugar stated, "If Republicans decide they want to change of all them, that's a different situation." However in 1986, Lugar did not let these rules stop him from challenging Sen. Jesse Helms for the chairman's job on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Lugar lost badly to the more senior Helms who was in line for the job. I suggest Sen. Lugar go back to making sound bites for Sen. Kerry to use against the President....
Other Freeper efforts relating to this:
BE A FILIBUSTER BUSTER - we can stop the filibuster of nominees RIGHT NOW
NYC BREAKING: Freep Specter Monday! (5:15 pm, outside of Grand Hyatt Hotel 42nd st (btwn Park/Lex))
11-12 thru 11-14 Update: I will be out of town this weekend and unable to update until Sunday evening. The significant development is that insiders are saying Craig is considering challenger Specter for the Chairmanship. This is great news, we need to encourage Senator Craig. I think if Craig starts to indicate he is going to challenge, Kyl will step up and challenge. Senator Kyl is next in line after Specter for the job, and doesn't want someone to leapfrog over him. So encourage both of these men to challenge. I think one of them will. Keep this thread bumped and have a great weekend!
11-11 Update: Happy Veterans Day! New reports indicate that Chairmen will not be confirmed until after the New Senate is sworn in on January 4th. This contradicts earlier information I provided off of Concerned Women for America's website. But NEXT WEEK will be the pivot point in this whole situation. Specter is going to meet with the other GOP committee members and make his plea in person. If the other committee members do not offer public support after that meeting, that will be a real bad sign for Specter. Keep up the heat, these committee members need to know that Specter is UNACCEPTABLE. Senator Cornyn may be slipping to the dark side, so he may need a few extra calls.
Tort Reform Dead? According to today's Washington Times, with Sen. John Edwards on his way out, Arlen Specter is the favorite senator of the trial lawyers. Tort reform is near the top of the president's priority list, but one staff attorney on the Judiciary Committee, which has jurisdiction over tort law, told this writer, "tort reform is dead if Specter is chairman."
Specter Delirious? Yesterdays's Philadelphia Inquirer, "It's been difficult for pro-choice Republicans in the Senate because there are so few of us," Specter continued. Though more than half of Republicans say they support abortion rights, with some limitations, "that branch of the party has never been vocal," he added. Abortion-rights groups identify five GOP senators, of 55 in the new Congress, who have records supporting abortion rights. - (I guess fewer than 10% is close to more than half. Sometimes Specter does not seem to know when to shut up...note according to this, there are 50 pro-life GOP Senators!)
Sen. Cornyn leaning towards Supporting Specter? "I have a responsibility to them to tell them this is why I voted to support Senator Specter's chairmanship," Mr. Cornyn said. If those things happen, "I think he is likely to be confirmed," the Texan said. (Not a good sign coming from Cornyn).
11-10 Update: The media is trying to tell us that the outrage over Specter's arrogant threat is dying down. However, inside reports are telling us Senate staffers are still busy full time answering anti-Specter callers. Phone lines are busy and angry voters are having a difficult time getting through. Ignoring the media spin, the outrage isn't about to die. It is important to note that NOT ONE member of the Senate Judiciary Committee has come out in support of Specter. Senator Cornyn, Kyl, and Graham have expressed serious concern, and are waiting to see how it plays out. Believe me, these Senators share our same concerns and the Phone Calls are having an impact! If one Senator is going to come to Specter's defense, it will likely be Senator Hatch. Outside of Hatch, I don't anticipate Specter getting too much support. Specter is not out of hot water yet and we are not about to turn down the heat.
Thomas Sowell: "It would be a tragedy for him to become chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, where he could mangle nominees, and in the process mangle the Constitution of the United States."
6 More Years?: Specter defenders are saying Specter will be a good soldier and if he does screw up we will oust him. But how? Once Specter is in, he is in. Senate leadership isn't going to pull some unprecedented and undefined action to remove Specter. Specter will be Chairman for the next 6 years assuming the GOP controls the Senate. Bank on it. Now Specter may play good soldier for a year, maybe two. But what about years 3, 4, 5, and 6? Specter is going to go back to his old self, there can be no doubt. Is the smooth sailing in the short term really worth it? I think the balance of the Supreme Court will be decided in those later years when we will see the real Arlen. Is the short-term fix worth the long term risk?
Specter Still Not in the Clear: Fox News story and video! Fox did a story on the hundreds of web based efforts to stop Specter. If you watch the video, the second site that is flashed up is FreeRepublic! According to the video, the White House is not going to help Specter, but leave it all up to Specter. The effort to stop Specter is still going strong!
11-9 Update: The response to this effort has been extraordinary. Senators have reported they have been getting more calls about Specter than anything this year with the exception of gay marriage. Don't be discouraged by speculation from talking heads or people are fearful of backlash. There is a process for selecting the chairman and the process is just getting started. I fully expect the initial selection to follow protocol and select Specter. The GOP leadership will leave it up to the members of the Judiciary to make a switch. On November 17th, the GOP judiciary members get to decide if one of them is going to challenge Specter. Even if none of them decide to challenge in an open vote in committee, it still has to be confirmed by the whole GOP caucus. If 11 Senators decide they want a closed vote on the Chairmen selection, they will have a closed vote and Specter can be thrown out at that time. Any talk that someone knows how this process will play out is total BS. Keep up the pressure! They are conservative Senators out there that will make a stand.
The GOP leadership seems to be taking a stand that they are going to leave it up to the Judiciary Committee members. For those who claim it is a done deal, let's see where they stand:
Sen. Cornyn: "We'll have to see where he (Specter) stands."
Sen. Jeff Sessions: Was a judge 'borked' by Specter from the federal bench back in the Reagan era. Likely would oppose Specter given an opportunity.
Sen. Graham: "The original comments attributed to Senator Specter were very unnerving…. His statement clarifying his position is reassuring, and I hope we will work our way through this."
Sen. Kyl: Indicated in an interview he would be the one to challenge Specter, but will have to wait to see what happens. Said the calls to his office were about 1000-1 against Specter.
This doesn't sound like a done deal. Keep up the Pressure folks!
11-8 Update: We are in a critical week. A fellow Freeper has informed me that there will be LOTS of activity this week. The Committee on Committees will be formed and important committee assignments will be made. There will be one or two new spots on the Judicial Committee for the GOP. These spots must be filled by rock solid conservatives. Frisk of course will be a key player here, and so will Senator Kyl. E-mail and fax them and tell them the kind of committee members we need. They will also make initial selections on who the committee chairmen will be. I assume they will follow the seniority rules, but they probably don't have to.
*****URGENT: Things are happening now! Committee assignments, initial Chairman selections. Keep Sen. Frist and Sen. Kyl informed that we want Conservative appointments on Judiciary and no Arlen Specter.
Karl Rove's Comments: "What I do know is that he told the president that, if he, Senator Specter, were to become chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, that every one of the president's nominees would receive a prompt hearing, a vote in the committee within a reasonable period of time, and that his appellate nominees would all be brought to the floor for an up-or-down decision on the floor. And we're in — Senator Specter's a man of his word, and we'll take him at his word if he becomes chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee."
One thing to note, Rove said 'if' not once, but twice! Something tells me Specter is not out of the woods. However, Rove and Bush seem to put too much faith in Arlen Specter's word. But which Arlen is telling the truth, the one who promised Bush or the one who promised his liberal media friends that none of Bush's extremist judges would be approved to the Bench?
My Question: Why is Specter, a man who opposes everything the GOP stands for on judicial nominations, even on the Judicial Committee???? It really makes no sense.
James Dobson: "There are many, many members of that committee that are more qualified and less of a problem than Senator Specter....He is a problem, and he must be derailed."
Once each committee selects their Chairman, all GOP Senators vote up or down on these Chairmen in a closed vote. Details on when this happens are not known. It is important to contact your GOP Senator's office and voice your opposition to Specter. They will get to vote on it!
Keep up the Good Work: We are being heard! Numerous stories out there prove that we are making a difference.
Grassley somewhat defends Specter: Grassley came out yesterday and told us we don't need to worry about Specter. Not exactly a strong endorsement. His reason, "you know, he led the fight to confirm Justice Thomas, and he's been behind all of the President's appointments the last four years." Really? Specter hindered the nomination of Leon Holmes and expressed serious doubts about him. Specter's position meant that Holmes went up for a vote without a recommendation from the Judiciary Committee. And for Justice Thomas, Specter supported Thomas out of political necessity. Specter was taking a beating for what he did to Robert Bork and was facing a tough re-election. Specter was forced to redeem himself or would have been voted out of office. Specter is not a wild card here, even before last's week press conference where Specter warned Bush about his nominees, Specter has made in position clear during this election. Seeking Post-Gazette's endorsement, Specter went to their editorial board, and promised that no extremists would be approved for the bench. Extremist judges in Specter language are those like Scalia.
Watch out for Specter: Specter knows he is in trouble. Specter is going on the talk show circuit to make his case. Don't buy into his BS. Specter will point out that he has supported Bush's nominees. He voted for Thomas. He voted for Scalia. Of course, so did Senator Kerry and 96 other Senators. Like Senator Kerry, Specter wants to maintain the liberal balance on the court. They will only support a conservative judge if it does not threaten Roe v. Wade. Senator Specter says he doesn't have a litmus test. But just ask Specter what he would do if the court were divided 5-4 on abortion. I am 100% convinced Specter would pull out any and all stops to make sure a pro-abortion judge is appointed. The more I learn about Specter, the more I see that protecting Roe v. Wade is his number one priority. This is why Specter will do and say ANYTHING to get the Judiciary Chairman assignment. Specter is a snake, when he goes to pat you on the back watch out for the knife in his hand. Specter flat out hates social conservatives and 'strict constructionist' judges. Specter is a 'living document' guy.
Ann Coulter was Right: Back in April, Ann warned us that the election between Toomey and Specter was the second most important election of the year. In hindsight, it must be concluded that Ann was dead on. Specter was worthless in helping Bush carry Pennsylvania, but now will be a big thorn in our side on getting judicial nominees confirmed.
Allies:
Coalition for a Fair Judiciary
National Right to Life Committee
Focus on the Family
Confused Conservatives:
Petitions on the Web:
We Want a Strong Leader on the Senate Judiciary Committee - GOPUSA
"New Pro-Abortion Senate Judiciary Chair?" - Voices Heard
Arlen Specter MUST NOT become Chairman of the Judiciary Committee. - nospecter
Pull chair out from under RINO Arlen Specter - Conservative Petitions
Petition to Republican Senators Opposing the Election of Senator Arlen Specter - AFA
THE FAIR JUDICIARY OATH - Coalition for Fair Judiciary
On-line Petition - gopwing.com
Latest News Stories:
NEW! Pro-choice Specter faces GOP test Chicago Trib 11-15
NEW! Frist withholds Specter support Washington Times, 11-15
NEW! NY Times: Frist Sees Hurdles for Specter NYT 11-14
NEW! For Specter, a Showdown Over Judiciary Chairmanship Washington Post 11-14
The Specter Campaign National Review 11-11
Focus on the Family ups effort to block Specter Rocky Mountain News 11-11
Embattled Specter upset at HRC snub NY Blade 11-12
As Specter seeks a chairmanship, it's payback time for conservatives Phily Inquirer 11-12
An ominous Specter: Part III Thomas Sowell 11-12
Specter's voting record Washington Times, 11-11
Specter asks to appeal to peers AP via Washington Times 11-11
Specter sees 'a battle for balance in the Republican Party' Philly Inquirer 11-11
An ominous Specter: Part II Thomas Sowell 11-10
Specter Seeks Meeting with Fellow Republicans - Reuters 11-10
An ominous Specter - Thomas Sowell 11-10
Specter Still Not in the Clear - Fox News 11-9
Spat over Specter may be subsiding - Pittsburg Post-Gazette 11-9
Conservatives target Specter - Washington Times 11-9
GOP Senators Struggle with Specter Chairmanship Focus on the Family 11-9
Under Fire, Specter Gets Only Tepid White House Support NY Times 11-9
Why the Specter flap matters - Boston Globe 11-9
The Left's View on Specter - Limbaugh 11-9
Specter Campaign Crumbling - Human Events 11-8
Senate Chairmanship in Question for Specter - NPR 11-8
Specter Opponents Pressing Senate Leaders - AP 11-8
A Specter of Trouble - OpinionEditorials 11-8
Specter: "I not only voted against Bork, I led the charge aGrassroots PAgainst him." - Grassroots.PA 11-7
Specter says he won't slow anti-abortion court nominees - CNN 11-7
Arlen Specter - "Bork" Him - Intellectual Conservative 11-6
Judges Following No Law (why Arlen Specter must go) - ****Robert Bork, 8-12-04
Keep Arlen Specter off chair of Judiciary Committee! - WND 11-6
Who's spinning? Specter or reporter? - WND 11-5
All eyes on Sen. Specter - Washington Times 11-5
Conservative wing raises fuss over Specter's views - New York Times 11-5
Specter faces battle for Judiciary chair - Washington Times 11-5
Sen. Specter Ignites Firestorm of Opposition - NewsMax 11-5
Suffering Specter - Pittsburg Tribune Review 11-5
Specter's Remarks Trigger Protest - Focus on the Family 11-5
Lawmaker wants Grassley on judiciary panel - Des Moines Register 11-5
Specter 'Borked' Himself from Senate Judiciary Committee - Concerned Women for America 11-5
Pro-Life Pray-In Planned to Stop Specter - CNSNEWS 11-5
Will Specter Chair Judiciary? - Human Events 11-5
Thank You, Arlen - National Review 11-3
GOP Sen. Specter Vows to Block Bush's Nominees - NewsMax 10-29
The Northeastern Liberal (Kerry and Specter, two peas in a pod.) - Evan-Novak 3-11-04
Background:
Actual Transcript of News Conference Wherein Specter Threatens Bush's Judicial Nominees
Specter's "Clarification" of his Threats to Pres. Bush's Judicial Nominees
Another Soros Specter Connection (The Bush-Soros Pick)
SPECTER SLAMS CONSERVATIVES IN CAMPAIGN LETTER, ATTACKS PRO-LIFERS, CHRISTIANS
Contact Information:
Bill Frist: E-mail: senator.frist@senate.gov
461 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING
WASHINGTON DC 20510
PHONE: (202) 224-3344
Web Form (Email his office): http://www.frist.senate.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=AboutSenatorFrist.ContactForm
Contact Information for all Senators
Sen. Orrin Hatch, UT, current Committee Chair PH: 202-224-5251 FX: 202-224-6331
Sen. Jon Kyl, AZ PH: 202-224-4521 FX: 202-224-2207
Sen. John Cornyn, TX PH: 202-224-2934 FX: 202-228-2856
Sen. Charles Grassley, IA PH: 202-224-3744 FX: 319-363-7179
Sen. Mike DeWine, OH PH: 202-224-2315 FX: 202-224-6519
Sen. Jeff Sessions, AL PH: 202-224-4124 FX: 202-224-3149
Sen. Lindsey Graham, SC PH: 202-224-5972 FX: 202-224-3808
Sen. Larry Craig, ID PH: 202-224-2752 FX: 202-228-1067
Sen. Saxby Chambliss, GA PH: 202-224-3521 FX: 202-224-0103
Homepages of Judiciary Committe Members:
Orrin Hatch Chuck Grassley Jon Kyl Mike DeWine Jeff Sessions Lindsey Graham Larry Craig Saxby Chambliss John Cornyn Arlen Specter
Media Contacts:
Special@foxnews.com; rush@eibnet.com; hannity@foxnews.com; editor@weeklystandard.com; beltwayboys@foxnews.com; tblankley@washingtontimes.com; jmccaslin@washingtontimes.com; gpierce@washingtontimes.com; jseper@washingtontimes.com; Templar119@aol.com; malkin@comcast.net; letters@charleskrauthammer.com; ben@cspc.org; adams_mike@hotmail.com; ballen@t3energy.com; greg@therightbalance.org; VAlpher@aol.com; friends@atr.org; ruddy@spectator.org; editor@spectator.org; rjbacak@sbcglobal.net; online.editors@barrons.com; me@glennbeck.com; carol@carolbernhard.com; jennifer.biddison@heritage.org; kotta@foxnews.com; briankbodine@yahoo.com; jimbohannon@1050wevd.com; JeffBolton@woai.com; wackerma@bowdoin.edu; chrisb@unt.edu; erniebrown@americaatnight.com; bucc@bucknellconservatives.org; calpundit@cox.net; chairman@cyr.org; joshcampbell@mail.utexas.edu; info@capitolhillblue.com; castellanopj@earthlink.net; charles@littlegreenfootballs.com; bobcole@clearchannel.com; cn@isi.org; letters@commentarymagazine.com; lauren.conner@bba02.bus.utexas.edu; dj@flipsideshow.com; copleyd@wharton.upenn.edu; tom@anncoulter.org; info@collegegop.org; cugop@colorado.edu; crider@mail.utexas.edu;
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Previous Threads:
Priority 1: Remove Specter from Judiciary (Thread 1)
Priority 1: Remove Specter from the Judciary (Day 2)
Priority 1: Remove Specter from the Judiciary (Day 3)
Priority 1: Remove Specter from the Judiciary (Day 4)
Priority 1: Remove Specter from the Judiciary (Day 5)
Priority 1: Remove Specter from the Judiciary (Day 6)
Priority 1: Remove Specter from the Judiciary (Day 7)
Priority 1: Remove Specter from the Judiciary (Day 8)
Priority 1: Remove Specter from the Judiciary (Day 9)
Priority 1: Remove Specter from the Judiciary (Days 10-12)
Specter = Kerry (from 'The Northeast Liberal' - Evans-Novak)
Bork's approach to reading the Constitution was too "narrow," and Bork didn't appreciate it as "a living, growing document" in Specter's words. Don't forget this is the man in line to chair the Judiciary Committee next year.
Yes, Democrats were sending tax dollars to abortion clinics, and Republicans wanted to add a condition to that money. If an abortionist wanted to abort a minor's unborn child without the parents' knowledge, he could reject the federal funding.
One more detail: the notification rule was waived in the case of "medical emergencies," a broad term which went largely undefined. Still, Kerry and Specter agreed that this was too restrictive. Taxpayer funding for abortionists ought to come with no strings attached, the two concurred.
Neither Senator could point to deficit reduction as their rationale-the bill simply shifted the money to domestic federal programs.
Then, on the fifth roll-call vote of the year, Kerry and Specter helped defeat a pilot program for school choice for poor families only. The provision came with authorization of new funds, and so it could not be accused of draining the public schools.
On that same day, the two voted hand-in-hand a number of times against the GOP leadership to protect the lawyers.
Specter, of course, changed his tune on tax cuts last year (during a time of budget deficts), when Pat Toomey announced his primary challenge.
George W. Bush thinks he can win Pennsylvania. He seems to think having Arlen Specter on the ticket below him will help. Trying to convince voters to vote for Bush and Specter will be a tough row to hoe, especially when it comes to explaining his positions on taxes, cloning, school choice, the life of the unborn, and the direction of the federal courts. Kerry and Specter would be the more natural pair for voters to choose.
Pennsylvania Republicans have a chance this April 27 to help the Bush campaign in the Keystone State have a clear coherent message on life, the strength of the military, and federal budget.
Otherwise, Bush will need to explain why Kerry's positions the wrong ones for a president to take, but just dandy for a senator.
Specter is a snake ping!
specter = too liberal for a republican leadership role.
The following is from Post #37 by Cedar on thread:
Caught on Tape -- Planned Parenthood & NAF Conceal Child Abuse
------------------------------------------------------
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1279600/posts
------------------------------------------------------
Also, alot of Pro-Abortion money/effort went into electing Senator Arlen Specter as a Senator again. Several of us talked about the Specter/Pro-Abortion Donations last night on the following thread, starting at post #23:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1279443/posts
And this is a comment I made last night on the thread I linked:
"Found some interesting comments on the "pro-abortion/choice" group embedded in the Republican Party, known as Republican Pro-Choice Coalition. Apparently they keep company with the very liberal Planned Parenthood and Emily's List, etc.
Here are statements about their giving money and large support to Specter:
April 6--In addition to Sen. Arlen Specter's pitch to a Jewish group of Democrats, and the Republican Pro-Choice Coalition's direct-mail campaign urging 20,000 Democratic voters to switch for the primary, a major international union is getting into the game...
April 18-...the Republican Pro-Choice Coalition. The Washington group is spending $450,000 for Specter, including 200,000 mailings now going to moderate Republicans, said Jennifer Blei Stockman, the national cochair.
August 23-..Amid those heavy flows of political donations, pro-choice political organizations like Planned Parenthood Action Fund, NARAL Pro-Choice America, EMILY's List, The WISH List and the Republican Majority for Choice are also expected to raise substantial sums during election season of over $50 million to support pro-choice candidates, get out the vote and broadcast advertisements. "
Link reference: http://216.239.39.104/search?q=cache:2CEKA1i7lkkJ:www.rpcc.org/data/pdf/pdf22_gl/pdf22_pdf1.pdf+pro-choice+donations+arlen+specter&hl=en
This was not posted on the thread I mentioned but found it interesting also. I copied it from Operation Rescue's report called "Tiller Report":
"Also in 1996, Tiller revealed that he had donated an additional $5,700 to various Democrat candidates, all of whom lost, $4,300 to the Kansas Democratic State Committee and $1,000 to the Clinton-Gore .96 Primary Committee. The only Republican who received a contribution from Tiller was pro-abortion Senator Arlen Specter, who received $4,795 for his failed Presidential campaign. However, the Specter campaign returned the money."
http://www.operationrescue.org/archives/TillerReport.PDF
BTTT!!!!!!!
He doesn't need to be removed, only not made the chairman. Here is what will happen, IMHO.
The Republicans will restructure the numbers on the committee to reflect the new Republican majority in the senate to something like 11 Republicans to 8 Democrats and a majority vote gets the appointment to the senate floor for a vote.
He cannot be made chairman because he can hold up appointments without a committee vote, I think.
The suggestion that Specter's appointment be delayed for two years is not acceptable. In some ways it would be worse, because his impending chairmanship would negatively affect the vote in 2006. Also, Bush will inevitably be more of a lame duck then, so Specter's capacity to make mischief will increase as time passes.
Over the last 40 years the high courts have taken cases that should have been resolved in the State courts. ie prayer in schools, the Texas sodomy law. We can no longer trust our Judicial System to go by the U S Constitution. They want to dabble in "International Law!" We are doing the right thing to prevent Specter from being on or heading the Judicial Committee and we need to step up the complaints until we get conservative judges appointed.
Thanks for the ping. I've made all the necessary phone calls and written a few letters too.
But from what Frist, Santorum, and administration spokesmen are saying, it sounds as though Specter being chairman is almost a done deal.
If that happens, a lot of the "election capital" Bush talked about was wasted.
I completely disagree. Frist's statements have indicated that it is up to the GOP member's of the Judiciary who they think the best chairman would be AND that Frist expects a chairman who will advocate for Bush's nominees. Since Specter has been unwilling and will not advocate for most of Bush's nominees, Frist is sending a clear message to the other members that Specter is not the man for the job. I really think Specter will be voted off the island from the signals I see.
True, but you always have to leave a little negotiating room.
He cannot be made chairman because he can hold up appointments without a committee vote, I think.
Absolutely. The Chairmen sets the agenda and schedule and could unilaterally delay getting Bush's nominees out of committee and up for a vote on the Senate floor.
Thanks. I will add it to the list of petitions in tommorrows update.
Absolutely. That is only a temporary fix to the problem. Arlene opposes Repbulican principles on judicial nominations, and quite honestly should not be on the judiciary committee at all. Specter should be on a committee we have common ground on, not the one where he is on the polar opposite end of.
.
Good morning, AR.
Is there any update on when the committees & the whole GOP will actually vote on the chairmanships? There's been conflicting messages on whether the vote occurs this week, on in January, and I thought I heard Frist on TV yesterday saying in a few weeks.
I'm afraid that the more time passes, the more likely he is to fenagle votes from weak-kneed senators. On the other hand, the more time passes, the more the GOP can try to wrench something out of him.
We've been exploring strategies here on FR and none have emerged as optimal.
So far, I object to Frist managing to exclude himself from responsibility by saying "it's up to the members of the committee." Frist can move Specter to another committee and the issue goes away, but he isn't doing that and so far he's escaping any outrage concerning it by . . . again . . . saying it's up to the members.
It's up to him. He has the power, in one place and not several places, to solve this problem. He can't leave Specter on the committee and unilaterally prevent him being Chairman. But he can "promote" him to a "more presitgious committee" whether Specter likes it or not. That seems to me the path of least resistance. Getting one Senator to do something about Specter has to be easier than getting 6 to act.
But hey, this is the Senate Republicans. Why are we surpised? Did they filibuster Ginsberg for USSC? No. She was the lead counsel of the ACLU, but they didn't stop her with a filibuster. They somehow persuaded themselves that the lead counsel of the ACLU was not liberal and pro-choice.
And to think we had wackos here on FR saying "We don't have to vote for Bush; we'll still have the Senate to prevent liberal judges from being installed."
According to Frist wo should know, they will vote early January. Specter will be meeting with them this week to plea his case to the GOP members.
I think Frist is acting smart. There is a process to confirm Senate Chairmen, and Frist is following it. Frist probably could use brute force and take Specter off the committee, but that would stir up a lot of stuff. Frist is gonna let the process play out, but with the guidance Frist gave I thought it was a clear signal to the committee members not to give Specter the chairman's job. Frist was subtle, but clear.
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