Posted on 01/07/2005 2:24:03 AM PST by kattracks
New Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Arlen Specter yesterday raised the gavel with a grin and opened his first hearing by allowing more criticism of the Bush administration than his predecessor and by questioning some of the Patriot Act's police powers.
With his questions and comments, the Pennsylvania Republican proclaimed his independence and said he expected the same from Alberto Gonzales, President Bush's nominee to be attorney general.[snip]
Mr. Specter traveled a bruising path to the chairman's seat. He almost lost his claim to it in the fall when he said just after Mr. Bush won re-election that pro-life judges might not win Senate confirmation. Administration officials were displeased, and conservatives flooded Republican Senate offices in protest.
A major damage-control effort by Mr. Specter helped win over Republican colleagues, who chose him to succeed Orrin G. Hatch, Utah Republican.[snip]
He permitted multiple rounds of questions — and criticism for the White House — from senators of both parties, while Mr. Hatch had usually allowed only one round at such hearings.
Mr. Specter also agreed to let two law school professors and a human rights advocate testify against Mr. Gonzales.
(Excerpt) Read more at washtimes.com ...
There were those who warned us that he would revert back to form when he got the chairmanship.
Independence? Specter's antics yesterday is reason 1001 why Santorum should get his clocked cleaned in the GOP primaries for supporting this clymer's re-election in '04 over Toomey.
Sounds like a 'Hatch'et job in the making, from the guy that's made a Specter of himself.
I suppose I can wait another day or two to say, "I told you so." It does look like Arlen just can't help himself, proving his critics dead on target with their objections to him heading up this committee.
Dang it!
why did they let this democrat chair this committee?
The Republican eunuchs in the senate trusted the traitorous liberal Democrat Specter and we all will pay for it. Idiots!
All freepers can say "I told you so", I don't think there was one of us that believed he could be trusted!
THE SPECTER SPECTACLE
The New York Times has an article highlighting Sen. Arlen Specter's delight over the first day of his Senate Judiciary Committee chairmanship. Mr. Specter clearly relished his new role Thursday as the man in charge. He opened the session right on the dot of 9:30 a.m., and held questioners to their allotted 10 minutes...
In an interview during a break in the proceeding, the senator, a onetime practicing lawyer who for eight years was the district attorney in Philadelphia, said of the chairmanship, "I have been in training for it my whole professional career."
I don't care which party he belongs to. The man's unbridled glee at achieving his lifelong dream to fondle the gavel is just...icky.
Specter is a snake, they were snookered again by this RINO. Oh he promised, kiss my ars his word is sh**.
Good Morning Troll...welcome to FR. Must be getting tired of the same ol BS over at DU!
We all knew he would be a big POS when he assumed the Chairmanship. I blame the leadership for allowing him to bad mouth the President right after the election with no consequences for his actions. The senate is a joke.
I seem to recall an invitation or two for Senator Kennedy to fulminate with his typical musings.
Specter is a useless piece of crap. Why he is continually elected is something I cannot understand. He is worse than a RINO.
I disagree to an extent. First, I thought the hearing showed far more GOP offensive than usual. Cprnyn's introductyory speech was far from the usual.."he's a good guy thing." He ignored AG's record..he attacked all he opponents and their arguments, in advance..made the case for AG..very strong presentatio. Even Leahy, Schumer, and Ted didn't seem to have their heart in it..and did you botice all the questions about the "nuclear option"..they had NO place at the hearing..seems to me the Dems are worried..
I didn't see the hearings when C-span switched coverage. Did anyone see Sen Coburn ?..How was he?
Specter is a snake, they were snookered again by this RINO.
No, they weren't snookered. GOP leaders knew to a man what would happen. It's up to us to reform this nation. Bush and the other leaders are not serious yet. We can't sit back and hope for the best.
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