Washington, D.C. - Senator Arlen Specter (R-PA) made the following comments today on the judicial confirmation process.
Contrary to press accounts, I did not warn the President about anything and was very respectful of his Constitutional authority on the appointment of federal judges.
As the record shows, I have supported every one of President Bushs nominees in the Judiciary Committee and on the Senate floor. I have never and would never apply any litmus test on the abortion issue and, as the record shows, I have voted to confirm Chief Justice Rehnquist, Justice OConnor, and Justice Kennedy and led the fight to confirm Justice Thomas.
I have already sponsored a protocol calling for a Judiciary Committee hearing within thirty days of a nomination, a vote out of Committee thirty days later, and floor action thirty days after that. I am committed to such prompt action by the Committee on all of President Bushs nominees.
In light of the repeated filibusters by the Democrats in the last Senate session, I am concerned about a potential repetition of such filibusters. I expect to work well with President Bush in the judicial confirmation process in the years ahead.
It sounds like Specter if feeling the heat. Keep pouring on the coal. I contacted Frist and my GA. Senator.
The left is actively trying to separate moderates from conservatives, and judging by some of the comments on this site, it seems to be working.