Dobson Warns GOP Senators on Specter

Human Events Online ^ | November 15, 2004 | Robert B. Bluey

[hinterlander]

Republican senators who support Sen. Arlen Specter's bid to chair the Judiciary Committee could face retribution from disgruntled conservative and Christian voters, warned Dr. James Dobson in an interview Monday with HUMAN EVENTS.

Dobson, the founder of Focus on the Family Action, a political group he organized to help re-elect President Bush, said Specter is frantically trying to save his spot atop the Judiciary Committee after suggesting Bush shouldn't bother nominating pro-life judges.

Specter has since distanced himself from his November 3 comments, but the protests against him haven't diminished. For the second straight weekend, he appeared on Sunday morning news programs trying to allay fears voiced by activists like Dobson.

"It may not be possible to derail Senator Specter," Dobson conceded to HUMAN EVENTS, "but if they [Republican senators] don't do that, I think it ought to be very clear that when the senator reneges on his promise to do the right thing, it's going to be remembered."

Republican senators on the Judiciary Committee are expected to meet with Specter this week, which will be followed by a secret vote taken in January to elect a chairman. Their offices have been inundated with phone calls protesting Specter's possible promotion.

GOP-imposed term limits are forcing Sen. Orrin Hatch (R.-Utah) to step down as the committee's chairman. Next in line is Sen. Chuck Grassley (R.-Iowa), who would rather lead the Finance Committee than Judiciary, leaving Specter with the most seniority.

"He's been out there for the last week on every show that would invite him," Dobson said of the Pennsylvania senator. "He's been trying to save his chairmanship by bobbing and weaving and telling us that he didn't mean what he said when he said what he meant."

Dobson has used his radio program, which reaches 7 million listeners per week, to rail against Specter's possible ascension. Other conservative and Christian interest groups are protesting as well, including a scheduled demonstration Tuesday at the office of Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R.-Tenn.).

"We're certainly going to do everything we can to let people know that Senator Specter not only threatens the court, but he is also the champion of stem-cell research and he is opposed to protection of marriage within the Constitution," Dobson said. "This man is going to be in an extremely powerful position to oppose most of what President Bush was elected to do. That is irritating a large number of people."

Dobson said Specter owes his victory to Bush, who chose to campaign with him instead of his more conservative Republican primary opponent, Rep. Pat Toomey. Specter narrowly beat Toomey by a little more than 17,000 votes in the April primary.

"He was very clear about what his intentions are," Dobson said in reference to Specter's November 3 remarks. "It's not only the court, he stands in opposition to just about everything the President ran on in terms of the moral and social agenda. How arrogant is that?"

Robert B. Bluey is Assistant Editor for HUMAN EVENTS

[Mountain Dewd]

I'd rather have gambling in my state, higher taxes, more government programs, gay neighbor who are married, and be able to buy pot at the local gas station than legalize murder. What sacrafices aren't you willing to make, really (seems national security is the only argument that could be made)?

[ladiesview61]

ya know what, there's no use in arguing about this, the bottom line is,who's best for bush and it aint Spector. He's proven over and over that he's an egotistical maniac and he simply can't be trusted. He'd probably do the right thing in the end, but there's no guarantee. He was great for Clarance Thomas but an asswipe for Bork. So he needs to go. He's ugly too..sorry

[glock rocks]

Thank you for your reply. (It's good, though I don't think it will fit in my tagline.) As chair of the Judiciary Committee, Specter could turn out to be a gun owner's nightmare as well.

[Carry_Okie]

After all the work we did to get the GOP majority into power, they owe us.

True, and agreed.

We did our job, now they must do theirs -- it's that simple.

Unfortunately, it's not. Our job isn't over.

"Presidents, regardless of party, face constant pressures from the Left -- from the Big Brother government, neofascist, high tax, property-confiscating liberals, from the econazis and global warmists, from the pro-abortionists, from those who are pro-one world and anti-American and from those who advocate cradle-to-grave socialism. (Have I left anyone out?) And, unless there are constant counter-pressures from those on the Right who believe in small government, low taxes, America first and individual liberty, presidents, under Left-wing pressure, tend to drift that way." --Lyn Nofziger

The point is: How best to accomplish that. Hence my criticism of Dobson. As I said, I respect the man, but I think he would be more effective to use what he teaches parents to do with an irrascible eight-year-old than threatening his own Party with a scism that is at least destructive and very possibly unnecessary. I fear that he may be over-playing his hand.

From all the years I have spent as a political activist, one thing I know for sure is how these elected officials tend to immediately take their positions for granted as soon as the elections are over, and off they go doing whatever they please.

Hence my citation to Mr. Nofziger.

[Howlin]

Here are the facts. As Andrew Kohut of the Pew Research Center points out, there was no disproportionate surge in the evangelical vote this year. Evangelicals made up the same share of the electorate this year as they did in 2000. There was no increase in the percentage of voters who are pro-life. Sixteen percent of voters said abortions should be illegal in all circumstances. There was no increase in the percentage of voters who say they pray daily.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1274474/posts

[Howlin]

the bottom line is,who's best for bush and it aint Spector.

And what if President Bush disagrees with you?

[Reagan Man]

>>>>You can't use the Evangelical votes to figure it like that;

YES I can! And I did! Exit polls are conducted by asking voters specific questions as they exit the polling place. In this case, voters were asked if they considered themselves "WHITE EVANGELICAL/BORN-AGAIN". You just don't like the answer you were given. The facts don't lie. Do the math.

WHITE EVANGELICAL/BORN-AGAIN?

BUSH

KERRY

NADER

TOTAL

2004

2000

2004

2004

Yes (23%)

78%

n/a

21%

0%

No (77%)

43%

n/a

56%

0%

[cgk]

I for one am glad he opened his piehole and spewed his 'threats" because it showed many who they voted for and what he really cares about. You're right - it's good to make him sweat a little, or a lot. Based on the coverage this got, I'd say he's sweating more than a little. Not that he won't get his coveted seat, but that he has to actually work for the people. ;)

BTW - I like the updated profile.

[Howlin]

Paleeeze......I take that poll every month; the first question is what's your religion; the second question is do you consider yourself born-again.

And I did the math; by the way, I did the math according to your "theory" with Hispanic vote; according to the way YOU do it, they're in charge now. I hope you're happy.

[sport]

I vote for candidates that are against abortion and support the 2nd Amentment.

I con't care if anyone that has a problem with that.

[Peach]

If we don't have a strong national security policy, all the rest, abortion, taxes, social security, won't be worth two cents.

[WhistlingPastTheGraveyard]

Not that he won't get his coveted seat, but that he has to actually work for the people.

And he has to work with the President and his colleagues. We put the pressure on them, they put the pressure on him.

Sure as hell beats having an emboldened Arlen at the head of the committee... especially in this age of rampant judicial activism.

[WhistlingPastTheGraveyard]

(PS - I like yours, too)

[EternalVigilance]

A strong national defense policy is a pro-life national defense policy.

Defending the lives of the innocent from abortionists and terrorists...

[Peach]

And you will achieve your objective of defending the lives of the unborn how? By withholding your vote?

I don't think that's going to work, do you?

[Reagan Man]

Your link is bogus. No data. No info. No nothing.

I gave you hard evidence, proof positive of exactly what the exit polls said from 2000 and 2004. You want to ignore the factual truth. So be it. Won't be the first time.

Btw, any rhetorical rage you may have ready to send my way, save it for someone who cares.

[rrrod]

"Dobson shut the hell up... we'll take care of Arlen in our own way.".......Big time DITTO!

[ConservativeBamaFan]

I have emailed, faxed, telephoned, and written to each of these Republican senators (do you really think it will do any good to contact the Dems?) and expressed my strong disagreement with Senator Specter and that I respectfully was asking that he NOT be placed as the chairman of the Judiciary Committee. I don't know what else to do.

The Honorable Senator Bill Frist
Unites States Senate Majority Leader
461 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510-4205

The Honorable Senator Chuck Grassley
135 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510-1501

The Honorable Senator Orrin Hatch
104 Hart Office Building
Washington, DC 20510-4402

The Honorable Senator Jon L. Kyl
730 Hart Senate Bldg
Washington, DC 20510-0304

The Honorable Senator Mike DeWine
140 Russell Senate Building
Washington, DC 20510-3503

The Honorable Senator Jeff Sessions
335 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510-0104

The Honorable Senator Larry E. Craig
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510-1203

The Honorable Senator John Cornyn
517 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510-4302

The Honorable Senator Saxby Chambliss
416 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510-1005

The Honorable Senator Lindsey O. Graham
290 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510-4001