Posted on 11/10/2004 8:41:31 AM PST by zeppenwolf
No Litmus Test I've backed pro-life judges before, and I'll do so again.
BY ARLEN SPECTER Wednesday, November 10, 2004 12:01 a.m. EST
To resolve any concern that I would block pro-life judicial nominees, take a look at my record. I have consistently opposed any litmus test. I have backed that up by voting to confirm pro-life nominees including Chief Justice William Rehnquist, Justice Antonin Scalia, Justice Sandra Day O'Connor and Justice Anthony Kennedy. I led the fight to confirm Justice Clarence Thomas, which almost cost me my Senate seat in 1992.
I have voted for all of President Bush's judicial nominees in committee and on the floor.
The current controversy was artificially created by incorrect reporting. I never "warned" the president on anything--and especially not that I'd block pro-life nominees.
Brian Wilson, a reporter for Fox News, said: "I looked at the tape very closely. . . . Senator Specter was the victim of some spin on the part of some reporters who took some comments and were looking for a kind of a good headline out of it."
Similarly, Rush Limbaugh refused to join the critics, saying: "This Specter story . . . may be a story about the media again . . . apparently, just from the looks of this, it may be that some words were put in his mouth that he didn't say."
The Rev. Pat Robertson has also seen through the media spin, stating on Nov. 8 that "I am not worried about Arlen Specter, and I think he'll be fine."
I merely noted the political facts of life. Pro-life nominees might be filibustered by the Democrats. The Democrats had done so repeatedly in the last Congress.
[...more...]
(Excerpt) Read more at opinionjournal.com ...
C'mon guys-- call off the dogs.
i absolutly love that we are known as 'THE DOGS'
as a newbie, i can not be prouder to a part of this fine instituton..
WHOOOF
No.
If Specter was just gonna be Chairman for a year or two, I would so so what, we can deal with him. But Specter will hold that position for 6 years! Specter word is not that good.
I heard Specter's speech and it sounded like a threat to me. It is hard to take that out of context or for the media to spin and twist it.
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
Especially after Specter has paraded before the Committee and cameras dozens of Democrat witnesses from feminist, gay, environmental, and peace groups making scurrilous vicious claims against the nominee.
Specter cannot be trusted. His word is worthless and he will say or do anything to get this position.
Specter borked Bork. Now it's time to bork Specter.
No WAY!
Arlen Specter single-handedly gave the Demonrats legitimacy in judicial subversion of Democracy when he sank Jodge Bork's nomination.
There is no Senator in either party who is more of an anti-Christian bigot. He opposes school choice, tort reform, life for babies, and original intent. I'd rather see Diane Feinstein chair the committee than Arlen Specter.
That seems to be the consensus. Even if he was misquoted / spun on this issue, does that change how he has voted on other issues, i.e. gun control?
[Specter cannot be trusted. His word is worthless and he will say or do anything to get this position.]
That's right! Bush needs a Senator on the Judiciary Committee that can LEAD! Not publicly say one thing, then stab Bush in the back in private.
Arlen Specter is a loose cannon, simply cannot be trusted. His history demonstrates this. I'm sure his wife and grandchildren love him, but he cannot be trusted to keep any agreement to "restrain" himself on conservative appointments.
So how does Bush come up with a total of 60 votes if Specter isn't going to actively help Bush and go fight for them? Eh?...
Absolutely! We don't just want chairman who MIGHT give grudging approval to a pro-life Bush nominee. We demand a chairman who WILL fight for Bush's pro-life nominees - in the Judiciary Committee and on the Senate Floor. I don't care what Specter says as he does his desperate best a damage control! He will NEVER be the guy who will fight for Bush's nominees through the committee and through the Senate.
Same as the Swift Vets said about John Kerry.
John Kerry cannot be trusted
How about this as a solution that allows everyone to save face and restore party unity?
1) Specter gives Frist an undated, signed letter of resignation from his post as Chairman of the Judiciary Committe to be held by Frist, "just in case."
2)Specter is allowed to assume the Chairmanship with the understanding that at any time, if he is found to be undermining the party, Frist will exercise his right to accept Specter's resignation.
First. It was dumb for him to even bring up the topic of pro-life judicial nominees. No nominee in 20 years has admitted that he is pro-life (or at least would reverse Roe).
President Bush has always maintained that the abortion laws would never be changed until the hearts of the American people are changed. He has always acted consistently with that philosophy. He hasn't ever indicated a desire to stack the courts with anti-Roe judges. He can't point to a single bad nominee.
Secondly; Specter evidenced his political senility by saying four days later that Bush doesn't have a mandate. That implies that Specter doesn't believe that the American people want the strict constructionists judges that Bush campaigned for. Stupid thing to say and stupid thing to believe.
Third indicator of Specter's political senility is his statement yesterday that he is the victim of a well orchestrated campaign against him. That's a stupid thing to say because those of us making the calls know that no one orchestrated us. Stupid thing to think and stupid thing to say.
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