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.
Yes, the paleo-cons are feeling their oats and will ruin us if not leashed quickly.
Let's let the leader of the party call the shots.
No, not gonna do it. It would be a mistake.
Let the President do what he wants, it's his ballgame.
Yes, and he's the guy that borked the Honorable Robert Bork. He's been busy screwing patriots and constructionists equally.
In name only. Specter is nothing but a Democrat with an 'R' by his name. To hell with him.
The President and Rove are willing to work with Specter so should we.
Wrong. We didn't give Bush his mandate so he could squander it on Liberals and RINOs. Specter goes.
What sort of problems?
We do not have Chaffee, Snow, Collins, or McCain. We've certainly never had Specter. Yet we insist on lavishing them with support, votes, plum committee assignments, and now, Chairmanship of the Judiciary Committee.
What is left to give to them?
lol...and my first presidential vote was Coolidge.
anyone can claim anything here....we have been overrun with a glut of modrut newbies since Blathergate.
however...in the interest of fairness, I will trust that you did indeed vote for Nixon...against JFK I assume....which makes you 65 or 66?
And Arlen keeps stealing the ball. Hey, we here in PA have put up with his crap and when we try to run him out of town in the spring the Prez comes in and rescues him. This is how he thanks him ? He did the same thing not 48 hours after the primary. The man is a snake and his word is worth nothing.
Don't you trust Presidnet Bush?
We have no idea what Bush and Frist said to Specter in that conference call nor what agreement Bush and Specter have made behind the scenes.
Bush has more than earned my trust. He has incredible political skills and plays chess not checkers. He knows what he is doing. If ultimately Specter becomes chair, Bush will take care of him.
excuse me...."punk"?
mr know it all who's been here for all of two months and is more skeered of the wrath of Arlen Specter than he is Bush's mandate?
ROTFLMAO .....
...you're a modrut retread aren't ya?
Call me silly but I think W actually still trusts what some bullshit$rs tell him. i.e. ted kennedy.
GRASSROOTSPA CALL TO ACTION
STOP SPECTER FROM BLOCKING BUSH'S JUDGES
Contact Senator Frist
202-224-3135
Contact Senator Santorum
202-224-6324
Tell them in no uncertain terms that Specter cannot be made Senate Judiciary Chairman
Do NOT take "no" for an answer!
Bush has no Mandate?
Just say "NO" To Specter's Games!
Senate Judiciary Committee GOP Members
Contact Senator Orrin Hatch
202-224-5251
Contact Senator Charles Grassley
202-224-3744
Contact Senator Jon Kyl
202-224-4521
Contact Senator Mike DeWine
202-224-2315
Contact Senator Jeff Sessions
202-224-4124
Contact Senator Lindsey Graham
202-224-5972
Contact Senator Larry Craig
202-224-2752
Contact Senator Saxby Chambliss
202-224-3521
Contact Senator John Cornyn
202-224-2934
Are you really arguing honestly?
This is utter nonsense.
What does this say about Senator Specter?
I trust Bush, but not Specter.
Specter screwed us with the Bork nomination. Specter screwed us with the Clinton impeachment. And you want to give him another chance? Be my guest, but I'll have none of it.
$20 says you're talking to a pro-abort.
We have 55 Rep senators. If Chafee, Snowe, Collins, McCain and Hagel back Specter and cross party lines to vote we end up 50-50. Who knows what other RINOs could get ticked? We could end up with less than 50 for a vote if sufficient moderates get alienated. Then we get NOTHING.
And the Dems get to call the Reps intolerant of moderates.
I'll wager he/she/it is a "moderate" pro-abort. Nufsed.
I would guesstimate the interestingly increasing number of newbie Specter-supporters are Dems in conservo clothing.
We didn't re-elect President Bush to be jerked around for 4 years by the minority. The White House is holding Specter's feet to the fire, I suggest we get behind the President and demand the GOP Senators grow a pair and get behind the President as well, instead of rolling over for the Democrats in their game of filibustering Judicial nominees like they did for the last 2 years.
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.