[george wythe]

"Keep your friends close and your enemies even closer. "

Santorum is following the above motto. A neutered Specter is better than a jumping Specter.

Politics requires a strong stomach, since in order to accomplish anything, honest politicians must deal with snakes.

And make no mistake. Specter is a snake temporarily defanged. He'll wait for his change to bite us back later.

So, yes, I would have preferred no Specter at all, but I also understand Santorum's dilemma.

[MichaelP]

A neutered Specter is better than a jumping Specter

I buy that. If Specter was denied the chairmanship then he may opt for payback. This way, nonpublic promises will bridle him. He can always be removed if he POs hsi fellow GOPers.

Mike