As far as I'm concerned the ball is in Bush's court. If he thinks he can control Specter, fine. If not, then Specter has to go.
If I were Bush, I wouldn't trust Specter any farther than I could kick him. He has betrayed his own party many times in the clinch, and not just on minor votes. He betrayed Bush just a few days ago in this last election. But it's up to Bush. Bush and Rove are totally responsible for Specter's re-election. Therefore, they are totally responsible for what Specter does over the next four years.
I'm willing to give Bush a pass on some issues, but not on judicial nominations. Judicial nominations are absolutely crucial if we are ever to start taking our country back again. I admired his handling of this matter in his first term. He stood firm, unlike most prior Republican presidents. Now we come down to the nitty gritty and see if he can get the job done.
If this isn't handled right, several million conservative Christian voters are liable to stay home in 2006 and 2008.
I agree, if Bush can put Spec on a short lease ok. Otherwise, the chairmanship must go to someone else.
The separation of powers will more than likely take its toll as far as the Presidents mandate goes. In our system, the president doesn't set the agenda of either the House or the Senate, leadership in those bodies do, as it should be. I just hope Frist has the good sense to do the right thing and get Specter off the list for Chairmanship of the Judiciary Committee. I give it about a 70/30 chance that Frist will bow to Specter's Senate seniority and allow him to chair the committee. Pressure from outside his Senatorial district will help but pressure from within his district will have the most impact. He comes from a moderate district as does Specter and approval from his district will be the thing that sways his judgement, this is why leadership is so important in Congress. Seniority is very important as far as assignments go and it would be difficult to put aside Senate protocol and Senate rules. We will soon know.
And that is the absolute truth.