Would it be irrational to at least lay out the pros and cons of all this? Is there NO chance that Santorum is making a calculated move in the pursuit of goals we share? The knee jerk is to say he's betrayed us, but are we sure of that?
I think you and Josh are on to something -- Santorum will not sell conservatives out. You can bet he has extracted a pretty hefty price from Specter in order to become Chairman. I know Inhofe stated that if Specter crosses the line, the votes are there to oust him, and he will lead the charge.
Bet the Bush nominees sail through the Senate with everyone watching Specter -- he either gets on board with the Bush agenda or gets out of the way. Believe he decided that getting with the agenda was a better option.
Like Josh, I don't like Specter either.
Wouldn't want to do that, now, would we?
I dunno. I like Rick, and can't help but think he's doing what he feels is the right thing.
Plus, if I understand correctly, Arlen Sphincter says Santorum is helping him. Santorum has not said this recently, so we don't really know what is true.
My take: Lay off Santorum.
The CJ is a sick man and there will be a CJ nomination and an associate justice nomination in a couple months. I will assume - because I refuse to believe my party is THAT stupid - that the leadership and committee Republicans have made clear to Arlen that the price of admission to the chair is successful confirmation of W's nominations, including Justice Thomas to CJ.
I will also assume that Arlen will not be the final word on committee staff.
I further assume that Arlen will make sufficiently recordable pledges to the leadership and committee to allow his balls to be held in safekeeping.
"Would it be irrational to at least lay out the pros and cons of all this? Is there NO chance that Santorum is making a calculated move in the pursuit of goals we share?"
I have heard Santorum speak, and trust his passion for life. I don't understand his actions, especially in the primary. Now that Specter is back, I have to trust that Santorum knows what he is doing, and acting in good faith.
If I'm wrong I'm wrong.