Posted on 11/08/2004 5:26:23 PM PST by mdittmar
Sen. Arlen Specter pledged on Monday not to oppose Supreme Court nominees just because they are anti-abortion as the moderate Republican fought to keep alive his bid to head the Senate panel that oversees judicial nominations.
"Absolutely not, and it's not just what I'm saying — I have done it. I have not applied a litmus test, and have voted to confirm pro-life judges," he said in a television interview.
But conservative critics kept calling for someone other than the Pennsylvania senator to be Judiciary Committee chairman in the newly elected Congress, and other Senate Republicans said little or nothing in Specter's defense.
Specter, who favors keeping abortion legal, is in line to replace the more conservative Sen. Orrin Hatch, Republican of Utah, as chairman based on seniority.
Peterson Jury Urged to Keep an Open Mind N.J. Governor Delivers Farewell Address Moderate Senator Fights for Top Judiciary Post He angered conservatives last week by saying he thought it unlikely the newly elected Senate — even with its Republican majority expanded to 55 — would confirm a Supreme Court nominee who wanted to overturn Roe v. Wade, the landmark case legalizing abortion.
The question of who wields the gavel in the Judiciary Committee is crucial. President Bush may make several nominations to the Supreme Court during his second term because Chief Justice William Rehnquist is ailing and other judges are thought to be close to retirement.
The Senate is expected to pick a chairman next week. First, the Republican members of the committee must nominate the chairman by secret ballot. Then, according to party rules, another secret ballot vote is taken by all Senate Republicans.
If they reject the committee's recommendation, the matter is sent back to committee with instructions for it to nominate someone else.
I won't call you a punk. I won't question your political beliefs. I will question your sanity and common sense.
Since Bush backed him in the primary, Specter has turned his back on him 5 times, twice within hours of winning the primary and then the general election. Either you aren't paying attention or you don't know how to add 2 + 2 correctly.
We will need to work with moderates so we shouldn't try to alienate them.
You keep saying moderate. Specter is not a moderate. He is a liberal. His lifetime ACU rating is only 43. There are Democrats who have higher ratings.
So what does Bush want done?
You claiming you have a direct pipeline to what the leader of the party wants to do?
He misses a lot of chances to deeply question and often just says "yeah".
Sean is really good and enjoyable. He is growing well into his game. And, I never miss his radio program now that it is broadcasted live where I live, but he needs to sock it to'em harder.
I always loved the passage of his First Inaugural Address when he spoke of an "angel riding in the whirlwind of the storm" or something close to that. Perhaps, that is why George W. Bush has such great joy and love for his fellow man. He sees opportunity to turn the storm to his favor, maybe?
Thanks, good to know who our enemies are and who we need to watch like hawks.
Agreed! We need to make an example out of Specter for all the other RINOS to see!
Specter burned himself.
We will NEVER regret his not getting committee chair.
If he gets it, we will regret it — bitterly and regularly.
Go to www.senate.gov and you can find which category the senators are in. Too bad Specter was just reelected.
The list was only for R's. All D's are suspect, in my book.
Sorry. Answer for question #2: I have no idea why Specter wants the position. But I would guess most likely because of power. That's what it all boils down to. Power.
Chuck Hagle....sorry. I haven't reviewed his overall record, but I know Ingraham (ggrrrrrowowwwwwwwlll) includes him in "McHagar" with McCain and Lugar.
I'm sure I made you think Schumer because "Chuckie" is actually used for him.
What do you think of Mr. Hagle, who was pretty openly criticizing our president recently?
Moderate Senator?
It's not only The Judicial Candidates.
His mouth, and all the MANY things he disagrees with us about! ENOUGH!
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