Replies

Re: Specter's feet are being held to the fire

The WH, Frist and all Rep Senators know we aren't happy about Specter. He has had to do a media blitz for pete's sake to defend himself.

He is going to have to push through Bush's nominees because Bush knows this is important and Bush still supports Specter. Bush won't let him get away with any crap. Unless it becomes apparent that Bush is not happy with Specter, I don't want to overreach.

Bush came in at the last moment of the primary and saved Specter's tail. So what did he say not 48 hours later ? "I'm not a rubber-stamp for the president" You think he would have learned from that one. Yeah, we can count good ol' loyal Arlen.

Bush won't let him get away with any crap.

How will President Bush -- or anyone, for that matter -- stop Specter once he's named Chairman?

I guess what I'm asking is, do you believe Specter will straighten up if the President tells him to?

What leverage does Bush have over Specter once the Senator gains the chairmenship?

Specter's views are at odds with Bush's, and *stridently* so.

How can we expect this lame duck legislator will ignore his "conscience", the media, and his own stated views with merely gratitude as a counter?

I understand that you trust President Bush to make wise choices. I do, too. I trust him far more than any President since Reagan.

My concern with Specter has nothing to do with my trust of the President. My concern is that, once Specter is in place, he will renege on any agreements he made with the President.

Specter's history indicates that he is an opportunist who serves his constituents on the Philadelphia Main Line. Their interests are his interests, and their interests are liberal.

My question to you is, do you know of any way that Specter can be reined in after he's named Chairman? I mean a legal solution, not a protest. What is our recourse if Specter acts as many of us suspect he will?

This is a very serious question. We have a number of "what-ifs" -- what if Specter and five others jump ship, what if all the moderates decide to work against us -- but the most dangerous what-if is the one we have a chance to stop right now. What if Specter refuses to allow pro-life nominees a hearing.

What is our course of action then?