Posted on 11/17/2004 6:38:14 AM PST by oneday
Specter gets key backing for Judiciary post Current chairman supports him to head panel, but Majority Leader Bill Frist says, 'We'll see.' By Jeff Miller Call Washington Bureau WASHINGTON | Pennsylvania Sen. Arlen Specter picked up an important endorsement Tuesday in his bid to chair the Judiciary Committee, even as social conservatives vowed to step up their fight to block him. Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch, the current chairman, said he supported Specter and predicted other committee Republicans would do the same. ''I think this matter will resolve itself,'' said Hatch, who will be forced to step down in January because of GOP term limits on chairmen. But Majority Leader Bill Frist was less enthusiastic when asked about Specter's chances. The Tennessee senator told CNN, ''We'll see.'' ...
Hatch said no one in Tuesday's meeting opposed Specter, whom he called ''highly respected.'' ''I believe he'll be a great chairman,'' Hatch said. Sen. Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., a Judiciary member, said Tuesday that he was leaning toward supporting Specter...
When Specter was asked if he would continue to be independent-minded as chairman, he answered ''yes.'' But he declined to elaborate.
(Excerpt) Read more at mcall.com ...
Republicans punk out again...IM SHOCKED I TELL YA.
Classic!!!!
They had better smarten up. This will cost them dearly in two years if they make him chairman.
The Senat Republicans will regret they day Specter is made chairman of the judiciary committee.
I guess they figure a chastened Spectre is better than a Jumpin Spectre.
The Republican Senate motto
"WE THE PEOPLE" ?...WE DONT NEED NO STEENKIN' WE THE PEOPLE
Frist is just giving those who are worked up about this some consolation in defeat. Specter's ascension was never truly in doubt. This was all a shell game. They think they can hoodwink us by acting like this was touch-and-go and that all the phone calls and emails almost did the trick. They just want to make sure we keep donating to them.
Besides NEVER reading any email from us "commoners" I wonder if the politicians in DC even bother to have their "hidden eyes" looking over these comments?
So - just in case - NO HATCH - NO SPECTER - NO MCCAIN
Separated at birth?
Dan
Our Senate is becoming as impotent as the U.N.
Where's THE BULL MOOSE PARTY when you need it?
We NEVER needed a Bull Moose Party in this country, as far as I'm concerned.
I'm wondering if Specter doesn't behave, can Sen. Frist still use the "nuclear" option if necessary? I'm hoping they wouldn't leave us totally vulnerable.
I believe that one of our problems is that many of the Senators think that the opposition to Specter is purely on the abortion issue. They need to be told otherwise.
As chairman, Specter would/could be a roadblock to much of the president's agenda - tort reform, affirmative action, etc.. He also would be selecting the committee staff - which is generally the most powerful aspect of any committee.
We need to broaden the opposition and bombard all Senators until January.
I've never trusted Orrin Hatch.
Yes, but it won't be necessary, Specter is going to support the president's nominees.
More important: today is the day that the GOP caucus is voting between Coleman and Dole to head up the NRSC for the 2006 cycle... COLEMAN MUST WIN THIS!
Please contact your GOP senators!
Orrin's just relieved that Specter is the lightning rod so that HE won't have to be outed. Say one thing, wish for another. This way, Orrin's got cover.
NO, secret ballot.
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