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.
Thanks for the link.
No problem. I like your thread better, more details :)
Reid is definitely in trouble when Specter starts talking about him being “free range rude”, and not just “rude”.
poor arlen. i hope he’ll be ok.
Sphincter puckered.
I do so not care about these people.
“Glad to know that there is at least one other truly radical conservative” that would like to see the 17th Amendment repealed. It killed any remnants of state’s rights.
Don't hold your breath. How many amendments have been repealed besides the one for alcohol prohibition?
Do you believe in term limits for Congress?
Despite a recent House vote against it, talk radio is still being threatened by the resurrection of the Fairness Doctrine. With the near evisceration of McCain - Feingold Campaign Finance Reform Act by the Supreme Court and the failure of the comprehensive "Shamnesty" in the Senate, the neoCOMs will be pushing harder for the Fairness Doctrine. Call talk radio. Use that as an opening to push for a Constitutional Amendment to give Congress term limits.
GW and Santorum can take the credit for Specter's return.........
inferiority complex
Yup. Arlen has bekettled Reid’s pot.
Someone said it here on FR several weeks ago, I don't remember who .. that: "Republicans are at their best and most effective when in the minority"
This is EXACTLY what Republicans need to be doing! Beat up the fragile self-esteem of surrender monkeys by labeling them for what they are!
I believe Harry Reid is going the way of Tom Dashel, I really find it hard to believe the people of Nevada are this liberal and petty.
They tend to lose their go nans when they need them the most.
Look no farther than “earmarks” (most of which originate in the House, understandably) - and the senior Senate leadership that backpat their way through behind chummy, amicable committees before going to conference.
The 17th is, essentially, an Incumbent Protection Act - an unfortunate utopian byproduct of the “Progressive Era” (cough). The Constitution’s architects had plenty of experience with Magna Carta-based legislative bodies in the Kingdom. States are, at this point, subjugated and forced to be suckling puppies.
They why does he not quit kissing his ass???
Arlen got a shot of testosterone.
I am hoping he wicks off a few Dinos too, such as Joe Lieberman.
Then we will all have fun watching his house of cards fall.
Agreed. The people of Nevada cannot be this liberal and petty. I think of Nevada as rugged. This trembling old whimpy fool, hopefully is setting his course to not get reelected.
Too late. Been done already...
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