Posted on 07/19/2007 6:42:04 PM PDT by neverdem
STEPHENS WASHINGTON BUREAU
WASHINGTON -- In unusually harsh personal criticism on the Senate floor, Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., on Wednesday accused Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of being "rude," "dictatorial" and "ineffective."
The outburst by Specter came after the Senate's rare all night-session and emotional vote on an amendment calling for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq.
Reid interrupted Specter after he said it was a "ridiculous waste of time" to keep the Senate in session all night Tuesday to debate the amendment, which Specter opposed.
"I would bet, with all due respect to my friend, the senior senator from Pennsylvania, that the people of Pennsylvania want a change of course in an intractable war that we find ourselves in in Iraq," Reid said.
As Specter tried to respond, Reid called for a vote on an education bill and left the chamber.
Specter waited in the Senate for half an hour until the next break in the action, then spoke again in sharp criticism.
"When the majority leader cut me off, and then made reference to what the people of Pennsylvania want ... I at least ought to have an opportunity to reply because I think I know more about Pennsylvania than Senator Reid does," Specter said.
To be interrupted like that, Specter said, was "rude, to say the minimum."
"And if the United States Senate doesn't run on comity, on courtesy, on basic decency, the United States Senate cannot run at all," Specter said.
Specter said former Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott, R-Miss., told him that Reid did the same thing to him a couple of days ago.
"Senator Lott said the majority leader wanted to publicly apologize. Senator Lott said, 'Not necessary.' Public apologies don't mean much."
Specter said Reid approached him after the interruption and said he would make sure Specter would be recognized to speak first after the vote on the education bill.
"I said, 'No thanks, I can get myself recognized,' " Specter said. "Those practices (by Reid), I think, are not only rude, but dictatorial."
Specter then turned to the overnight session.
"We had a meaningless, insulting all-night session for absolutely no purpose. It was an indignity to the senators who were kept here all night to vote," Specter said.
That made the Senate "the laughing stock of the world."
"The majority leader said the purpose was to show the American people that he would not back down. Well, I think he showed the American people how ineffective he is," Specter said.
Responding to Specter's comments, Reid spokesman Jon Summers said tensions are high because of the debate on the Iraq war.
"Everyone is frustrated with the situation, particularly Senator Reid, who is frustrated with Republicans who continue to block votes on changing course in Iraq and bringing a responsible end to the war," Summers said.
I agree with him — but it does constitute the pot calling out the kettle.
I am surprised that Specter didn’t run into the cloak room to cry his little eyes out.
Snarlin’ Arlen finally does the Keystone State proud!
Then let it not run at all. All that decency and friendship does is screw over the tax payer while the Senators are busy chatting about what good friends they all are.
UNEMPLOYED
Of course in addition that Reid is a traitor. Reid is one the rudest, most arrogant, most repugnant, and most hate filled politicians in American history.
I think Reid was much more rude.
Much like how everyone was frustrated with democrats who continued to block votes on judicial nominations, tax cuts, social security reform, et al.
While Specter finds an acorn every now and then, this stupid elitist tradition would be better observed if the state legislatures elected them. Until the 17th Amendment gets repealed, we're stuck with a "SuperHouse".
Somebody should change their diapers, give them a bottle and put them in the crib for the night.
Since Reid (Traitor - Nv) is angering the RINOs, there is hope to keep a unified Republican caucus.
Takes one to know one.
Did Arlen pound his copy of “Scottish Law” while he rebuked the nasty Harry Reid?
To bad Toomy did not get elected. You get what you pay for and the Commonwealth voted in this moron. God be with your souls in Pennsylvania.
Spector, the self-important little twit, had no problems stabbing the Republicans in the back when they were in the majoritym and joining the “Gang of 14” to increase his own relative power. Now the Dems are in power, and they don’t need him
I’m sure he regretted saying it as soon as it came out his mouth. His Scottish shortbreads are WAY too small to call a spade a spade.
Low-life, punk Harry POS Reid.
No kidding. he probably will have himself censured and will wear a hair shirt and repent!
So thats why they went right on to voting for that Education Bill right after the All Nighter, I remember watching that, then leaving for a sec, then coming back and they were voting for some education bill.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.