Specter would have gone off on anyone who presumed to question his chairmanship. It was just a case of "I'm the chair and you're NOT."
Chuckie is reading a statement prepared before the hearings started.
I don't think it was just Specter defending the Chair. Kennedy implied Specter was lying about receiving the communication. After Arlen pointed out that there was a difference between sending and receiving, he then said he would review the matter. Kennedy then threatened to demand votes and tie up the Committee -- which then caused an already irate Arlen to smack him down HARD.
Loved how he pounded the gavel and then turned his back on Kennedy. Priceless.