Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Looking Toward the Next Four Years – and What Should Arlen Specter’s Role Be?
self | 07 November, 2004 | joanie-f

Posted on 11/07/2004 3:55:20 PM PST by joanie-f

I believe the three most overpowering crusades that this administration, and the next congress, have to initiate with historically unprecedented passion and resolve are:

(1) containing the threat of terrorism, no matter the financial and (unfortunate) human cost, and no matter the time commitment

(2) seeing to it that Supreme Court and federal judgeship vacancies are filled with justices who have a resolute reverence for the original intent of the Constitution

(3) crushing the massive, unconstitutional power over every aspect of our lives held trial lawyers, by instituting major, unrelenting tort reform measures

There are other, generally economic, issues – major overhaul of Social Security, major revamping of the tax code, and regaining sanity in federal spending and monetary policy -- that need addressing. But the three issues above affect the very lives of every American (and every American in utero), and the minimal acceptable quality of life that every prosperous, free people should be willing to endure.

I do not recall in my lifetime the Republican party enjoying such positive odds for genuine conservative, Constitution-respecting governance. When was the last time a Republican President enjoyed a majority of this size in both houses of Congress? Not during any of our lifetimes, for sure.

There has been no better time in our history for a President and congress to ‘spend their political capital’ to do what is right for this republic. There has been no better time to turn a deaf ear to calls for bipartisanship (from a party that only practices such when it is to their own partisan advantage), calls for healing (from a party whose ideological credo thrives on class/racial/social division), and calls for societal compassion (from a party that employs that altruistic tool only in order to increase the socialist, nanny-state power of government).

In virtually every campaign speech that this President has made over the past year, he stated that he would nominate federal judges who revere the original intent of the US Constitution. With the prospect of one, and maybe two or three, Supreme Court justices retiring within the next four years, there is no greater calling than for him, and senate Republicans, to do all that is within their executive/legislative power to see to it that newly-appointed members of the Supreme Court, and federal judgeships, faithfully adhere to their Constitutional job description.

There is nothing in the Constitution that requires that the chair of the senate Judiciary Committee to be elected on a seniority basis. The senate may elect anyone from among its membership to chair that all-important committee. It is now time to discard dangerous and liberty-erosive tradition and political protocol and, instead, elect as chairman of the judiciary committee a Constitutional scholar who reveres the genuine Constitutional definition of the judicial branch of government.

Under such a common sense, preserve-America definition, Alren Specter does not qualify.

More than half a million Pennsylvanians foresaw the current major crisis that is facing us regarding the potential appointment of Arlen Specter as chair of the senate Judiciary Committee. That’s why, despite big money/strong-arm tactics/profligate lies/temporary democrat primary registration crossovers (all committed by the Specter forces alone), Pat Toomey, a virtual unknown, came within 1.5% of winning the Pennsylvania Republican senate nomination in April. The four-term incumbent Specter won by a mere 16,000 votes, with more than one million votes cast. And Toomey would have won by a comfortable margin, had the President and our junior senator placed principle before political protocol and endorsed him rather than his unworthy opponent, who sports a long history of deceit and betrayal.

I am also certain that Toomey would have won the senate seat handily on Tuesday, and not only would we not be faced with the specter of a Specter chairmanship of Judiciary, but we would have a junior senator with major Reagan-esque leanings sitting in one of Pennsylvania’s senate seats. But, as they say, that’s water under the bridge. I simply hope that President Bush now has a new, and exquisitely personal, understanding of the phrase biting the hand that feeds you. Arlen Specter has one mean and powerful bite.

To those Pennsylvanians who have followed Specter’s infamous four-term career, it reads like an immutable script: (1) enter, stage right, having counted on moderates and conservatives to return you to the stage to begin with; (2) spend about five and a half years moving consistently stage left, while arrogantly defending yourself against those who, dutifully and sincerely, remind you that you are not playing the role you were cast to play; and then (3) half-heartedly meander back toward the right for the six months preceding your next re-election bid, hoping that the move right will eclipse the previous five and a half years of leftist role-playing. It always worked … until Pat Toomey shined a spotlight on the shenanigans. We’re wise to you now, Arlen. And it’s a good thing for you this is most likely your last term. Toomey would defeat you resoundingly in 2010.

Specter’s duplicity dates back to the mid-1960s, when he sat on the Warren Commission and formulated the ‘single-bullet theory’ to explain Oswald’s assassination of JFK. There are many right-minded people who believe he is responsible for a major cover-up of that crime, and its ramifications.

Around twenty years later, when Ronald Reagan nominated Jeff Sessions (who now providentially/coincidentally sits on the Judiciary Committee with Arlen) for a federal judgeship, Specter betrayed his constituents by voting with the democrats in killing the nomination. This betrayal marked the beginning of the now entirely too common act of killing the nominations of those with whom you don’t share a political ideology … and the Constitution be damned. Before Sessions’ defeat, a federal judicial nominee had only been turned down once in the four decades since the Roosevelt administration. So Arlen Specter effectively set the stage for politicized judicial confirmations – a mighty arrogant, and toxic, unconstitutional precedent that laid the groundwork for the awarding of judgeships based on leftist political ideology. And the liberty-eroding effect of this perversion of power on every aspect of American society has been monumental.

And Arlen continued wielding his leftist-agenda-driven power the following year, when Reagan nominated Robert Bork to sit on the Supreme Court. Bork had a sterling resume as a judge, and a Yale law professor (one needs only read his Slouching Towards Gomorrah to comprehend the sheer genius, judicial purity, and uncompromising allegiance to the Constitution that this giant of a man represents). Specter played a major role in Bork’s defeat, and I, for one, will never forgive him for his vicious character assassination of a man whose shoes he isn’t fit to shine.

Some believe that Specter regained his principles (although it’s difficult to regain that which one never possessed to begin with) when he defended Clarence Thomas against the left’s attacks in 1991. But one only needs to look at the timing of the Thomas hearings to understand Specter’s newfound fairness. The hearings occurred less than a year before Specter’s next re-election bid. Too little time to erase from the memory of conservative Pennsylvanians yet another betrayal. So he was forced to do what was right … simply because of the timing of the hearings.

Specter’s final betrayal occurred during the Clinton senate impeachment trial in 1998, during which he could have played a major role in ridding us of the most immoral, treasonous, criminal President we have ever known. Instead, he effectively ignored the US Constitution, and instead relied on (purported) ‘Scottish Law’ to allow the President to continue his reign of horror. He asserted that under the venerable ‘Scottish Law’ (which appears to trump the American Constitution), there are three possible verdicts in an impeachment trial: guilty, not guilty, and not proven. Voting ‘not proven’ (and enjoying the dubious distinction of being the only senator to do so) allowed him a cowardly retreat from alienating either his genuine leftist base, or the conservative/moderate supporters he needed to fool, yet again.

Chief Justice Rehnquist was so taken aback by the stupidity of Specter’s argument that he ordered Specter’s verdict to be recorded as ‘not guilty’.

And Arlen Specter’s probable lame duck status in this, his fifth term, means that, without concern for re-election for the first time in a quarter of a cerntury, he can move left over the next four years … and remain there.

Arlen Specter’s crimes against our republic have been many. But I believe the four above are the most grievous. He should not even be sitting in the US Senate, much less chairing the committee that will have enormous impact on the seating of federal judges, in an era in which activist judges have assumed the arrogant role of declaring the Constitution irrelevant when it comes to matters of leftist societal engineering.

There has never been a more opportune, or more urgent, time in our history for a President and congress to remain true to the conservative base that placed them in office. As regards (1) through (3) above, any compromises with leftist ideologues, and their barking cohorts in the media and academia, to which this administration and congress agree will amount to a betrayal of the populations of that overwhelming number of red states that sent a resounding message on Tuesday that they want American back on track.

The forty-third President, and members of the 109th congress, must govern like the conservative leaders they purport to be. The red states, and many inhabitants of the blue, believe it’s a matter of now or never.

Senate Majority Leader:

Bill Frist 202-224-3135

Republican Members of the Senate Judiciary Committee:

Orrin Hatch 202-224-5251
Charles Grassley 202-224-3744
John Kyl 202-224-4521
Jeff Sessions 202-224-4124
LindseyGraham 202-224-5972
John Cornyn 202-224-2934
Mike DeWine 202-224-2315
Larry Craig 202-224-2752
Saxby Chambliss 202-224-3521

~ joanie


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Culture/Society; Editorial; Government; Miscellaneous; News/Current Events; Philosophy; Politics/Elections; Your Opinion/Questions
KEYWORDS: bork; bush; frist; judiciarycommittee; justice; reagan; specter; supremecourt
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 61-8081-100101-120121-131 next last
To: Cedar

The only solution is to keep him as a member of the committe, but no chairmanship. How he reacts to that is out of our control.


81 posted on 11/07/2004 8:01:50 PM PST by SiliconValleyGuy
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 68 | View Replies]

To: SiliconValleyGuy

That's right. Even if Specter gets angry, he shouldn't chair the committee.

And speaking of getting angry, look how angry he has made Republicans for years...


82 posted on 11/07/2004 8:08:32 PM PST by Cedar
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 81 | View Replies]

To: joanie-f
There is nothing in the Constitution that requires that the chair of the senate Judiciary Committee to be elected on a seniority basis.


The senate may elect anyone from among its membership to chair that all-important committee.


It is now time to discard dangerous and liberty-erosive tradition and political protocol and, instead, elect as chairman of the judiciary committee a Constitutional scholar who reveres the genuine Constitutional definition of the judicial branch of government.

Under such a common sense, preserve-America definition, Alren Specter does not qualify.


WELL SAID!
83 posted on 11/07/2004 8:14:59 PM PST by vannrox (The Preamble to the Bill of Rights - without it, our Bill of Rights is meaningless!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: joanie-f

Specter should resign from the senate and join SPECTRE.

The powerful and ruthless criminal organisation is dedicated to gaining wealth and power though criminal schemes the involve extortion, instigation of major wars to gain power and acts of revenge.
It's leader, Ernst Stavro Blofeld, wouldn't stand a chance against a American rino or

He could volunteer at a abortion clinic.


84 posted on 11/07/2004 8:20:39 PM PST by philetus (Zell Miller - One of the few)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: joanie-f

Specter should be the official Senate squeegee boy.


85 posted on 11/07/2004 8:21:58 PM PST by Natural Law
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: philetus

LOL! He might take your suggestion if you let him usurp the code name '007'. I hear he's a big Fleming fan. ;)


86 posted on 11/07/2004 8:26:16 PM PST by SiliconValleyGuy
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 84 | View Replies]

To: joanie-f
he was very careful in his choice of wording, and very respectful in his demeanor.

Somehow I'm not surprised. ;)

87 posted on 11/07/2004 8:37:48 PM PST by SiliconValleyGuy
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 71 | View Replies]

To: F16Fighter
Yes, MUCH the blame for this despicable human being wielding ANY power within the dominant 55-strong GOP lies at the feet of George W. Bush who ignored his ideological brethren -- Pat Toomey -- in the primary. Wasn't Dubya's support of Specter over Toomey worth 1%?? Of course it was...

BTTT

88 posted on 11/07/2004 8:48:47 PM PST by WhatPriceFreedom?
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 79 | View Replies]

To: joanie-f

You might be interested in this article also:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1274029/posts


89 posted on 11/07/2004 8:51:21 PM PST by Cedar
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 71 | View Replies]

To: joanie-f; Landru; FBD; MeekOneGOP; Mudboy Slim
Looks like you've covered everything....almost ;^)

Scotland should maybe have their very own U.S. ambassador doncha think. A special envoy that speaks the language.

FGS

90 posted on 11/07/2004 8:52:23 PM PST by ForGod'sSake (ABCNNBCBS: An enemy at the gates is less formidable, for he is known and carries his banner openly.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: joanie-f

What should Specter's role be? How about cleaning toilets in the Senate bathrooms? That's about all he's good for.


91 posted on 11/07/2004 8:52:32 PM PST by Bogolyubski
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Cedar

MESSAGE FROM LAURA INGRAHAM:


STOP SPECTER NOW--WE NEED YOU: Liberal Pennsylvania Senator Arlen Specter, who bailed on the Supreme Court nomination of Robert Bork in 1987, and who ardently describes himself as pro-abortion rights, is slated to become the new chairman of the Judiciary Committee unless you act now. We need you to call your Republican senator and make your views on this heard asap. Contact Senate Judicary Committee members by clicking here and click here for the numbers of your all Republican senator(s). If your state is represented only by Democrats, call Majority Leader Sen. Bill Frist's office at 202 224 3344.

92 posted on 11/07/2004 9:07:19 PM PST by vannrox (The Preamble to the Bill of Rights - without it, our Bill of Rights is meaningless!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 37 | View Replies]

Late night BUMP.


93 posted on 11/07/2004 9:26:34 PM PST by Minuteman23
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: joanie-f

It is indeed a matter of 'now or never'. This chance to crush the liberal agenda and reverse the long march through the institutions will not occur again in our lifetimes.


94 posted on 11/07/2004 10:09:01 PM PST by Noumenon (The Left's dedication to the destruction of a free society makes them unfit to live in that society.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 21 | View Replies]

To: joanie-f

FReeper "shubi" made an excellent point on another thread:

Call the RNC, Senators, & all Repub leadership--tell them you will send NO MORE MONEY to the Republican Party if Specter gets the Chairmanship!

As I said on other thread...the RNC constantly sends letters and calls for more money to defeat the liberal ideas. How can they have the nerve now to even consider letting Specter have the Chairmanship?

Everyone, make those calls and spread the word...NO MORE MONEY!


95 posted on 11/07/2004 10:10:25 PM PST by Cedar
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: joanie-f
Catechism of the Catholic Church and what it says about those who support abortion

What does this say about Senator Specter?

96 posted on 11/07/2004 10:16:45 PM PST by Salvation (†With God all things are possible.†)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: joanie-f
I found you some more ammo this morning in this excellent National Review article The Awful Specter of Yet Another Term:

...In 2001, for instance, Specter was in his usual form, helping slash the Bush administration's tax cuts by $250 billion....

...He is an abortion-rights absolutist, a dogged advocate of racial preferences, a bitter foe of tort reform, a firm friend of the International Criminal Court...

Citizens Against Government Waste recently listed Specter in its "Pig Book" as one of the Senate's most profligate spenders...

In 1995, Specter briefly ran for president and pursued the unique strategy of attacking the base of his own party: His announcement speech lobbed a grenade at "the intolerant Right." After pressing this theme for several months, one poll showed him attracting support from a grand total of 1 percent of Republicans. The senator's lifetime rating from the American Conservative Union is 42 percent (Pat Toomey's is 97).

In July, Specter disappointed conservatives yet again when he blocked a school-choice proposal that would have granted vouchers to 2,000 poor students in the District of Columbia. Prominent Democrats, including D.C. mayor Anthony Williams and Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California, support the plan. So did Specter six years ago, when he voted in favor of a similar measure. "I've regretted it ever since," he now says. "I believe school choice violates the separation of church and state. It's unconstitutional." But didn't the Supreme Court rule otherwise last year? "It was a 5-4 decision. The court may change its mind." Specter's own children attended private school in Philadelphia. "They didn't have access to a good public school," he explains. So what would he say to a mother in D.C. who insists that her kids don't have access to a good public school either? "There are charter schools available. I've led the way to improve the quality of education in America."

I also found this: stopspecter

97 posted on 11/08/2004 3:31:01 AM PST by snopercod (Inflation, it's how wars are paid for.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 57 | View Replies]

To: joanie-f

Thanks for posting, Joanie.
I imagine Spectors role will inlcude a spot on the committee. But it would be a tremendous victory if he could be kept from being the Chairman.

Who do you think has the best chance? Orrin Hatch?
Also, thanks for posting numbers to the judiciary committee.

Republican Members of the Senate Judiciary Committee:



Orrin Hatch 202-224-5251

Charles Grassley 202-224-3744

John Kyl 202-224-4521

Jeff Sessions 202-224-4124

Lindsey Graham 202-224-5972

John Cornyn 202-224-2934

Mike DeWine 202-224-2315

Larry Craig 202-224-2752

Saxby Chambliss 202-224-3521


98 posted on 11/08/2004 7:52:00 AM PST by FBD (Democrats have never learned from the second or third or fifth kick of a mule. - Zell Miller)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: ForGod'sSake; joanie-f; Landru; MeekOneGOP; Mudboy Slim; BraveMan; Happy2BMe; jla; Minuteman23; ...

Sign the petition to stop Spector, here:

http://www.notspecter.com/petition1.php


99 posted on 11/08/2004 8:03:08 AM PST by FBD (Democrats have never learned from the second or third or fifth kick of a mule. - Zell Miller)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 90 | View Replies]

To: All

Sign the petition to stop Spector, here:

http://www.notspecter.com/petition1.php



100 posted on 11/08/2004 8:03:48 AM PST by FBD (Democrats have never learned from the second or third or fifth kick of a mule. - Zell Miller)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 99 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 61-8081-100101-120121-131 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson