Specter weathered these assaults before, and unfortunately will again, in my view.
But, the redeeming thoughts on this are that he has been officially put on notice.
All that is required, is that nominees pass through the committee to the floor of the Senate.
If a appointment is made for a judge like Keyes,for example, I would not expect that Specter or many others would support the nomination, but I do expect he will support, albeit luke warmly, a nominee who has supported in writing a right to life issue as long as the man or woman is not an activist.
Frankly, I do not support activists of any persuasion on any court, and I suspect this is what Specter alluded to in his comments. Specter was positioning himself as a mediator.
Specter shot himself in the foot with those comments. He also has a poor history of understanding strict construction view points. He is one of those who believe the Constitution is a living document. But as a mediator, he may be of some value, and I believe this is what the Senate believes to be true.
I would much prefer he was not heading the committee. But Senate rules have put him in that post. The Senate will likely follow it's rules and not bow to pressure. I don't want a Senate that bows to pressure either.
It is a catch 22 and a half!
The senate sure bows to "pressure" when it comes from the left, though don't they? God forbid the Senate EVER listen to those on the right.