Posted on 11/04/2004 11:11:53 AM PST by topher
Senator Arlen Specter (R?-Penn) has narrowly won in the Republican Primary, and narrowly won in the General election. He has said that as chair of the Judiciary Committee, that he would have a powerful influence over Supreme Court Justices (No Pro-Life Justices need apply).
However, the job is not is. Senator Chuch Grassley (R-Iowa), may have the position outright. But there is a problem. He may also have the powerful position of Chairman of the Finance Committee.
Should the shaping of the Supreme Court be overruled because of concern for Financial Matters? That is the question before Senator Chuch Grassley.
This is a Breaking Story because there is a movement to petition Chuch Grassley to take the Judiciary Committee chairmanship over the Finance Committee.
The most important thing in America today is to get good Judges and Supreme Court Justices on the bench.
This could be the legacy of Chuck Grassley -- how he did what was best for the United States and Iowa by walking away from the powerful position of the Financial Committee Chairmanship.
He can make history in a way he could not if he were chairman of the finance committee.
There will be more details to follow...
EMAIL FRIST NOW !!!
http://frist.senate.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=AboutSenatorFrist.ContactForm
Ain't gonna happen...after four years of moving this party to the right, the last thing the GOP'll need is another Triangulator...MUD
McCain is also a coward and possible treasonous from his work on the POW/MIA hearings. Anybody that reads about McCain's history regarding Vietnam, would not give him anymore of a pass than the did Kerry.
Besides, we need to watch out for some young dynamic candidate. Not some old Washington fixture. The WOT will probably still be going on and there will be alot of other projects that would require fresh, vigorous attention.
Just sent of my email to Frist.
You do uderstand that this isn't a seat on the Bench, don't you? It doesn't matter what their "scores" are, as long as they will stand behind well-qualified candidates under intense media and Dem firestorms, and ensure that each gets a fair review. Media savvy, intestinal fortitude, and loyalty to Bush are far more important qualifications for this position. Do you seriously believe that a representative with an 80% or a 20% score in whatever would be less able to do the job than a 100%/0% candidate?
for those wondering what impact FR has on things, this is a classic example.
Thousands of emails, phone calls, and letters going out to those who run things DOES make a difference.
Do your part!
http://frist.senate.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=AboutSenatorFrist.ContactForm
Using the number you posted, I just called Frist's Tennessee office, too. The secretary there said that "We have been getting a lot of calls on Arlen Specter, but there is nothing that can be done. He has senority, and has the chairnanship of the Judiciary Committee if he wants it."
She went on to say "Not to worry, President Bush's nominations will be confirmed because we have a much bigger majority in the Senate".
Yeah, right.
According to Doug Johnson, National Right to Life, the rules are the following:
(1) Orrin Hatch is ineligible because of term limits
(2) Chuck Grassley is the 2nd ranking member, and may have the chairmanship, but MUST GIVE UP CHAIRMANSHIP OF FINANCE COMMITTEE
(3) Arlen Specter is the 3rd ranking member. The Senate Judiciary Committee must disapprove his taking this committee by 6 votes (which will not happen).
Bill Frist has no say in this matter.
So, according to Doug Johnson, National Right to Life, the only way to stop Arlen Specter from getting this chairmanship is to get Chuck Grassley to take the chairmanship and give up the powerful Finance Committee.
The website of NRLC is:
http://www.nrlc.org
There is a contact number, and you might be able to reach Doug Johnson.
But National Right to Life is an extremely reliable organization.
Everyone please take 30 seconds to say NO to Specter. Every letter counts.
I just spoke with Frist's office. He told me Specter was next in line. He said these are rules of the committee which will likely be honored. I asked if they could do away with "term limits" of Hatch. He not great but he is better than Specter. Hell, we might as well have Lahey chair the committee. It was explained to me that even though he may chair the committee, he is only one vote and he cannot prevent a nominee from being voted out of the judiciary committee. The big problem is overcoming the requirement of cloture. Should we begin to try to woo the liberal dems to come over the be republican. This is the best opportunity in our lifetimes to take the Supreme Court and whose rulings will dominate our lives and our children's lives for the next 40 years.
Agreed. Grassly should be chairman. Anybody got an email or phone number so we can freep him?
can anyone confirm or deny that Specter's staffing is mostly a bastion for leftist liberals?
It'll be an interesting four years as potential candidates come to the forefront and the GOP base takes the leaders fer a spin. I'm very glad Cheney is our VPOTUS as he isn't interested in the top spot. That way, whoever makes the grade as our candidate will have done so on their own merit, as compared to being pre-selected by the powers that be.
FReegards...MUD
the chairs are named by the Leader, usually by their seniority, but Frist could name a number of people to head committees based upon his working relationship and that would change the system. Plus - with fewer RATS in the Senate they get smaller staff and less money.
Yes, that is what the insiders say. The administration and party thought that his medical background would strengthen their position with the elderly on the Medicare and Social Security issues.
They also thought that it would lock down his Republican seat from a strong challenge from the Democrats in Tennessee which was coming up.
This is also the reason they chose not to come to Trent Lott's aid when the Democrat's attacked over a dumb but insignificant remark at a retirement supper for Helms.
They thought that Nickles who had a reputation as a tough whip ala Tom Delay, who also they pressured not to take the Speaker's job in the House of Representatives , would anger the Democrats even more.
We've got to stop letting these Democrats attack and dictate who the leaders of our party are. This is why we lose and have lost some very good conservative people.
They work long and hard and when their turn for leadership comes they get passed for some Rino that the party hopes can get along with the liberals who are not going to get along with anyone.
Honor's a critical part of life in this beloeved republic, granted.
Just once it'd be nice if our side used their head & ignored the honor part.
I think they'd find by doing the best thing for the country they'd be doing the "right" thing, and get their honor, anyway.
...thanks for the info, my friend.
OK. I did my part. I thought we get a Republican chairman of Judiciary? how could Spector even be considered?
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