"I believe Sen. Cornyn is sending a not-too-subtle message that Sen. Specter can either get with the plan or get out of town."
No, Cornyn is providing cover for Specter. Specter is, according to Cornyn, going to be a good boy now, so there is no reason to be mean to him. We Senators have to stick together, you know.
This isn't about principle, or doing what's right. It's about playing to the other Senators, being a team player, and making the big shots in the Republican Party happy. Specter is going to be an obstructionist, no matter what he promises.
He has promised to others before the election that he would obstruct Bush's appointments, and he will, because it is in keeping with his long-standing position. He will not be running for reelection in six years, so there is no leverage to make him keep his word to the conservative part of the Republican Party.
I'm not familiar with Cornyn, and don't know what his motives here might be. I believe he is fairly new to the Senate, and was a prosecutor before being elected, so it seems he wouldn't owe Specter anything. Maybe he's toying with him, maybe he's looking to get in the papers . . . hard to say.
I'm comfortable with the knowledge that the committee votes secretly, then it goes to the entire caucus, who also has a secret ballot. Specter doen't have many friends, and I think his chickens may be coming home to roost at last.