[stockpirate]

He doesn't need to be removed, only not made the chairman. Here is what will happen, IMHO.

The Republicans will restructure the numbers on the committee to reflect the new Republican majority in the senate to something like 11 Republicans to 8 Democrats and a majority vote gets the appointment to the senate floor for a vote.

He cannot be made chairman because he can hold up appointments without a committee vote, I think.

[Always Right]

He doesn't need to be removed, only not made the chairman.

True, but you always have to leave a little negotiating room.

He cannot be made chairman because he can hold up appointments without a committee vote, I think.

Absolutely. The Chairmen sets the agenda and schedule and could unilaterally delay getting Bush's nominees out of committee and up for a vote on the Senate floor.

[orchid]

Since the chairman is elected by a committee vote, the dims could vote for Specter and subvert the Republicans move to place someone else at the chair.