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No Litmus Test [Specter speaks: "I'm a pretty decent guy..."]
OpinionJournal ^ | 11/10/04 | ARLEN SPECTER

Posted on 11/10/2004 4:18:45 AM PST by JusPasenThru

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To: 4everontheRight

There is nothing wrong with Specter being pro-choice. The problem comes in when Specter starts making noises about blocking any judges from coming out of committee who will not legislate from the bench according to Specter's own political positions.

There is a very big difference here. Politics is such a cynical business that people forget this. People forget that being "pro-life" or "pro-choice" is not shorthand for some ultimate litmus test on judicial appointees. Either way a person comes down, it is their passionate personal opinion to be respected and regarded as their own, but it is not to be a yardstick for judging the dispassionate legal qualifications of a judge.

This is something that would do conservatives much good to come to understand themselves. Just as it would do conservatives much good to state for the record that their opposition to Roe v. Wade is because in their dispassionate legal opinion, the Supreme Court "got the law wrong." Impassioned statements about the murder of 40 million tiny babies is the very thing that keeps people like Estrada off the bench, as it should.


21 posted on 11/10/2004 5:27:50 AM PST by counterpunch (The CouNTeRPuNcH Collection - www.counterpunch.us)
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To: sport
No, the cannot. Once he is in the position he is home free.

Maybe . . . maybe not.

John Cornyn, IMHO, was a limp noodle as Texas' Attorney General . . . but then I had some personal issues he did squat to help me with so I might be a bit prejudiced . . . BUT HE'S SEEMED TO GROW SOME GONADS IN WASHINGTON. He's surprised the hell outta me and I don't get surprised that often by politicians. He's actually speaking up now and then.

He's overtly let it be known to some Pubbie insiders that I trust that the others on the committee will keep Specter on a damn short leash. They don't like him any better than most of us do.

These insiders have been taking a beating on this subject. The best way to get anything done in Texas politics is to start with the local Pubbie honchos and work your way up to the National Politicos. The locals are the ones who'll be hurt the most if us Pubbie worker ants stop contributing and volunteering.

Anyhoo . . . The County Republican Honcho of my tiny county told me he received over FIVE HUNDRED telephone calls about this ever since it popped up. Hell, there's only about eight thousand folks in our county and probably only about three thousand registered voters so he's been bombarded . . . and him and about ten or twelve others had conference calls with both Cornyn and Kay Bailey Hutchison.

We're making a difference! Believe it or not.

But, despite all this, I still agree with you . . . I'd rather not take the chance. Besides I contributed some bucks and sweat to Toomay and I'm still pissed off that he was left dangling in the wind by our national pubbie leaders.

GW has two years to reap the "capital" he's earned -- until the 2006 elections -- then no one will pay him much mind because a new election cycle will begin and he'll be the fifth wheel. Specter has to go OR Cornyn and Kyl and the others have to give him whiplash by yanking like hell on that leash.

22 posted on 11/10/2004 5:27:55 AM PST by geedee (If you're a liberal, what you say is protected. If you're a conservative, it's hateful.)
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To: sport
Balony! He is just saying what he thinks is necessary for him to get the Chairman's position.

Bingo!

23 posted on 11/10/2004 5:33:04 AM PST by Netizen
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To: Armedanddangerous

"I am sure he is also kind to animals.

So what?"

I'm not sure what you are getting at? I didn't support Specter. I was saying he's a fool and the Republicans would be better off without him.


24 posted on 11/10/2004 6:04:47 AM PST by Blessed Charlemagne (http://www.angeltowns3.com/members/romanist/index.htm)
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To: Blessed Charlemagne

It's commonly known as sarcasm..8-)


25 posted on 11/10/2004 6:08:11 AM PST by Armedanddangerous (Kimber Gold Match 1911 fan)
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To: JusPasenThru

This comment follows news from fox that specter is on his own. Apparently there will be no deeper or further support from senators or the WH.

No word from the six conservative senators who sit on the committee.


26 posted on 11/10/2004 6:18:35 AM PST by longtermmemmory (VOTE!)
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To: JusPasenThru
"I'm a pretty decent guy..."

You don't get to decide that, Arlen, we do.

27 posted on 11/10/2004 6:43:09 AM PST by Paine in the Neck
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To: Armedanddangerous

Sorry, it was early when I read it and I am going on little sleep right now. My brain is not working correctly.


28 posted on 11/10/2004 8:54:50 AM PST by Blessed Charlemagne (http://www.angeltowns3.com/members/romanist/index.htm)
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To: Blessed Charlemagne

Aint no thang

I am still suffering from post election fatigue (pef)

So I can sympathize.


29 posted on 11/10/2004 8:57:53 AM PST by Armedanddangerous (Kimber Gold Match 1911 fan)
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To: JusPasenThru
"Specter speaks: "I'm a pretty decent guy..."

Tell it to the friends and family of Holly Maddux, you shyster.

30 posted on 11/10/2004 9:00:03 AM PST by jpl (The tribe has spoken, now for goodness sake, get a life.)
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To: All
Could someone please help me figure something out?

When I was a Democrat, I despised Specter.

Now that I'm a Republican, I still despise him.

31 posted on 11/10/2004 9:05:52 AM PST by processing please hold (All I ever need to know about Islam, I learned on 9-11)
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To: pbrown
When I was a Democrat, I despised Specter. Now that I'm a Republican, I still despise him.

Either you were probably a DINO or a blue dog Democrat, I was too (briefly). Even back then I was to the right of most people including Republicans.

OR

It was a visceral reaction to a man who is not very nice. They don't call him Snarlin Arlen for nothing.

32 posted on 11/10/2004 9:10:55 AM PST by NeoCaveman (Don't blame me, I volunteered for Toomey)
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To: longtermmemmory

I'm betting Kyl is elevated over Arlen's head. Grassley stays Chair of Finance. The GOP can't brush this one under the rug without totally alienating the base. If Specter jumps to the RATS, good riddance.


33 posted on 11/10/2004 9:12:48 AM PST by ABG(anybody but Gore) (Stop Arlen Spector Now!)
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To: dubyaismypresident

Thank you. I called a spade a spade no matter what party I was in. I feel unconfused now. Thx.


34 posted on 11/10/2004 9:18:35 AM PST by processing please hold (All I ever need to know about Islam, I learned on 9-11)
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