Hatch Gives Up Judiciary Chairmanship

Focus on the Family ^ | 12/18/2003 | Keith Peters

[ZGuy]

Pro-family groups are concerned about his replacement — pro-abortion Republican Arlen Specter.

Utah's Orrin Hatch is stepping down as chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. His replacement? Pennsylvania's Arlen Specter, a liberal, pro-abortion Republican.

Pro-family groups like the Family Research Council (FRC) call Specter's impending leadership of the committee "a dark cloud."

"Senator Specter has repeatedly said that he does not support any effort to overturn Roe v. Wade and would only support (judicial) nominees who support Roe v. Wade as good law," said Jayd Henricks, an FRC spokesman.

Steve Crampton, director of the American Family Association's Center for Law and Policy, said he is concerned that a man with a pro-homosexual, pro-abortion voting record will be in the driver's seat of a crucial committee.

"(Specter has voted) in favor of prohibiting job discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation; he has voted against a ban on abortions taking places on military bases," Crampton said. "The man's record speaks for itself on these issues."

Henricks said that with one or two retirements expected on the Supreme Court in the next few years, it may be tough for conservative nominees to get a fair hearing with Specter at the helm.

"Having a senator who does not support the president on life (issues), (who doesn't) support our issue on marriage, is going to prove to be very problematic," he explained. "It's reason to be very concerned."

[KantianBurke]

GO TOOMEY!!

[antaresequity]

Does Hatch give a reason for stepping down? This totally bites....

Or...maybe he knows Dub is gonna recess appoint the boatload of his nominees...

Hmm

[agitator]

Oh no, not Sphincter.......

[bmwcyle]

We just got hit by a magic bullet.

[pogo101]

This is bad.

I think Hatch was weak,

and although I don't HATE Specter in the least,

Specter will be worse than Hatch.

Cornyn, anyone?

[CWOJackson]

I'm AFFRAID you're right.

[hobbes1]

Arleen Sphincter now in Charge of Judiciary

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Bikers4Bush]

Good, Hatch has been turning on a number of issues. Not the least of which is wanting to allow foreign borns to become president.

I don't trust him anymore.

[smith288]

Man...this sucks.

[MinuteGal]

The real question is WHY Hatch is relinquishing his seat as the all-powerful chairman of an all-powerful committee.......especially with RINO Spectre in the on-deck circle.

Hatch no spring chicken.....maybe ill health?

These guys only give up the power, glory and attention if there's some very overwhelming reason.

Leni

[Texas Federalist]

This is very, very, very bad.

Does anyone know who the other Republicans on the committee are?

[boomop1]

Specter will fit right in with Leaky Leahey the RINO Scottish Law scum sucker.

[cwb]

This sucks. Specter is one of the weenies who also thinks the Hague should be trying Saddam.

[deport]

Does Hatch give a reason for stepping down? This totally bites....

---

I think maybe he was term limited. This has been mentioned before. I'd have to look at the Committee rules to be sure of the term limiting.....

[DLfromthedesert]

Isn't it up to the Majority Leader to pick the Chairmen? And shouldn't the pro-life President lean on the Majority Leader if he truly wants pro-life, pro-family judges?

[John Beresford Tipton]

"Does Hatch give a reason for stepping down?"

LOL, probably the Recording Industry wants him to work full time for them.

[Robert A Cook PE]

Great.

Just great.

Might as well give the Committee to Kennedy.

[John Beresford Tipton]

:These guys only give up the power, glory and attention if"..

[often]
the sheriff is on the way.

[dennisw]

Does Hatch give a reason for stepping down? This totally bites.... ....

My guess is health. We shall see. Hatch is a weak leader and loves to cave into the Dems. Arlen Spector is even worse.