[reformed_democrat]

''I expect we'll sit down with him and hear what his plans are to support the president and his nominees,'' Cornyn said.

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.

[wildbill]

Cornyn is my senator. I sent him a letter which read in part:

Seniority is a hallowed tradition in the Senate. I expect you'd like to earn some seniority yourself. Figure out a way to deny Specter this chairmanship.

Texas conservatives will be watching your performance.

[nickcarraway]

It doesn't matter. Once he's the chairman, he does what he wants and no one can stop him.

[Rocky]

"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.