Specter gets key backing for Judiciary post...

The Morning Call ^ | No. 17, 2004 | Jeff Miller

[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.

[newgeezer]

Orrin's just relieved that Specter is the lightning rod so that HE won't have to be outed.

"Outed" in what regard?

[RoseD]

Mark our word!!

[jammer]

Absolutely correct analysis.

I saw Frist's interview and my thoughts were not the same as those of the "analysts." For one thing, he never directly answered one question. For another, I couldn't figure out which side he was on, other than "[Specter] has questions to answer" and "[Specter] must support the president's nominees." That bobbing and weaving leaves a politician an entire world of wriggle room.

Let's face it folks, no Democrat pol really wants Roe v Wade overturned; very few Republican pols really want Roe v Wade overturned. So, they just let Specter do the dirty work and keep their hands clean.

[xzins]

Orrin Hatch has been looking for a pair his entire career.

In his dictionary, compromise means bend over. He grew up in minority status and never wanted otherwise.

[ladtx]

Maybe we should bookmark our prediction.

[RoseD]

Done!

[dljordan]

They're not impotent by any means. They can still do lots of harm.

[Salvation]

Key backing comes from the people, Senator, and you aren't even passing muster!

[ZULU]

There are conservative Republicans, there are RINOs, and there is Orrin Hatch.

Hatch is a naive, weak-kneed, Caspar Milktoast kind of character who defies categorization as anything other than a wet noodle. His behavior during the Clinton Impeachment was nothing short of astonishing.

His statement is hardly a surprise.

Hopefully, the flood of outrage from intelligent conservative Republicans all over the Country, together with Arlen's own damning statements will be enough to keep Specter out of the Chairman's seat.

If not, the Administration and the Republicans on the Committee are setting themselves up for some serious trouble from an arrogant, opinionated loose cannon who is far to the left of the Republican and American mainstream and who will let pass no opportunity to advance his own agenda while embarrassing the Administration at every turn.

[The Ghost of FReepers Past]

This battle was lost when Bush supported Specter in the primary. Now we are stuck trying to keep him happy. I guess in their defense, they didn't know then that we would be so overall successful in the general election. They didn't know we could afford to get rid of Specter.

[jammer]

His true desire for Roe v Wade to be overturned--or not, in this case.

[unspun]

I think they'll get some agreements from Specter. What is more important is ending the constitutionally confused 60% cloture vote on executive appointments.

[sassbox]

so I guess this means another 30 years of legalized infanticide :( Hatch is such a spineless scumbag. I stopped trusting him to do anything to help the pro-life cause when he threw in his support for embyronic stem cell research a few years ago.

is there anything left we can do about Specter or is it hopeless?

[SeasideSparrow]

Will we know how each one of them voted so that we can target them in two years???

Anyone knowing the answer to this, please respond.

The bottom line is if they hope to hide their hinnies behind Specter's on the abortion issue - they're going to be exposed nonetheless. Naked stupidity is raw stupidity.

American conservatives have no respect for wimps.

Keep the phone calls going - it's not over, til it's over and that will be January. It's critically important that we do not give up.

[Les_Miserables]

All of our Senators should understand that the major problem with Specter is not his abortion position. It is more systemic and is graphically illustrated by his own stated position that he lead the opposition to confirm Judge Bork because Bork believed in "Original Intent".
The concept that original intent is obsolete is at the very center of the debate yet Specter's position has not been challenged. All the example's Specter has given of why original intent is wrong have been corrected by changes to the constitution. That is the only proper way to modify the basis of our laws. Original Intent then becomes the intent of the Constitutional change. This prevents any whimsical reinterpretation by judges that fancy themselves the determinants of our destiny instead of leaving that responsibility in the hands of the people where it constitutionally belongs.
All of this is more succinctly presented recently by Justice Scalia when he said "In the last 40 years ... we've become fond of the phrase that we have a living document.(US Constitution) But if something is wrong, then change the law or change the Constitution, but don't reinterpret the Constitution." He said proponents of the living document concept and flexibility regarding the Constitution are "dead wrong." This means you, Specter!
Anyone as wrong headed about the way constitutional issues should be decided as Arlen Specter should NEVER sit in a position of influence in selecting or approving judicial nominations.

[Always Right]

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.

It is still very much in doubt. So far Specter has gotten the support of Snow, Hatch, and McCain. Specter has been working his tail off to try to salvage this, but is not out of the woods yet. If people keep up the pressure, there is a fair chance someone will step up and challenge Specter. Specter will not be able to survive a challenge. There are at least two Senators who have entertained the thought of challenging. Specter knows he is in very hot water or he would not have been doing all these interviews and meeting with all the Senators. Specter is very concerned and should be.

[TomSmedley]

They had better smarten up. This will cost them dearly in two years if they make him chairman.

• One senator's ego this year, vs.
• the house, the senate and the presidency over the next 4 years.

I wonder which way this year's solons will jump?

[El Gran Salseron]

One RINO endorsing another RINO.

Who woulda thunk it?

[Indie]

I won't say it unless Specter becomes chairman...but then I will...in big bold letters....

This is SO typical of how the RepublicRats fool their base by saying "the alternative is worse so elect us" and then screw us and give us the "alternative" anyway...anti-life congressfolk and pro-immigration traitors.

But: "We'll see." LOL.

[SeasideSparrow]

Always Right said: "If people keep up the pressure, there is a fair chance someone will step up and challenge Specter. Specter will not be able to survive a challenge. There are at least two Senators who have entertained the thought of challenging."

Who are these two senators?

Let's find out and give them encouragement to go forward!