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Specter calls Reid 'rude,' 'dictatorial'
Las Vegas Review-Journal ^ | Jul. 19, 2007 | TONY BATT

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.


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; Front Page News; Government; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: arlenspecter; harryreid; reid; specter
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To: neverdem

Specter gets cranky when he doesn’t get his nap!


41 posted on 07/19/2007 7:15:49 PM PDT by airborne (http://www.gohunter08.com/)
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To: Mr_Moonlight

It should make people appreciate Republican leaders which they roundly denounced at the time. They got a lot done with razor thin majorities, something Reid can’t manage.


42 posted on 07/19/2007 7:15:52 PM PDT by ClaireSolt (Have you have gotten mixed up in a mish-masher?)
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To: neverdem

“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.”

After the immigration debacle, They’re up to “the laughing stock of the world” status already . I din’t know dat. ;-)


43 posted on 07/19/2007 7:15:54 PM PDT by NormsRevenge (Semper Fi ... Welcome to FR. The Virtual Boot Camp for 'infidels' in waiting)
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To: ClaireSolt

Sometimes they listen. The drying up of NRSC contributions certainly got their attention.


44 posted on 07/19/2007 7:17:57 PM PDT by IslandJeff (Daniel 2: 20-23)
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To: Rodney King

Yeah, maybe it’s about time we saw some fist fights, or at least some pushing and shoving, on the Senate floor. Snarlin’ Arlen versus Harry “Real Estate” Reid. Pay per view. I’m not sure who would win it, though.


45 posted on 07/19/2007 7:21:00 PM PDT by FlyVet
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To: avacado

My theory is that the northeastern liberals pick a western useful idiot to do their dirty work so they aren’t put on the spot , and Dashell and Reid were stupid enough to fall for it. There’s nothing as pitiful as a small man who thinks he is important. Tom Foley was another.


46 posted on 07/19/2007 7:21:21 PM PDT by ontap (Just another backstabbing conservative)
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To: neverdem

“Dictatorial” is four more syllables than I would have used.


47 posted on 07/19/2007 7:21:39 PM PDT by PLMerite ("Unarmed, one can only flee from Evil. But Evil isn't overcome by fleeing from it." Jeff Cooper)
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To: claudiustg

Take two shots of Jamesons. That will loosen things right up!


48 posted on 07/19/2007 7:22:58 PM PDT by Holicheese (Zap Razdowler Rules!)
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To: airborne
Specter gets cranky when he doesn’t get his nap!

just take cat naps like Geezer Sheets Byrd during sessions.

49 posted on 07/19/2007 7:25:09 PM PDT by tflabo
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To: ontap

The Republicans’ greatest moment in history was when George Nethercutt beat sitting Speaker Foley in 1994.

How we have fallen since.


50 posted on 07/19/2007 7:28:11 PM PDT by IslandJeff (Daniel 2: 20-23)
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To: neverdem

Is Specter running for president?


51 posted on 07/19/2007 7:31:18 PM PDT by luvie (Make today better! RJ)
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To: ClaireSolt
It should make people appreciate Republican leaders which they roundly denounced at the time. They got a lot done with razor thin majorities

And even with a huge majority while a clown Dem President was in office ... re: 1994 Congress ...

Really, the Pres was floundering and worrying about his 'relevance' and 'legacy' pre-1994 ... and then Newt's Congress comes to the rescue and completely overhauls government, which Clinton took as his mantle of accomplishment ... but who really cares who takes the credit? The "Contract" was good for America, and thats all that really counts ... if Slick wants this as his 'legacy' on his watch, then so be it ... it really doesn't matter who takes credit, it was good for America.

52 posted on 07/19/2007 7:37:33 PM PDT by Mr_Moonlight
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To: Greg F
would like to see the 17th Amendment repealed. It killed any remnants of state’s rights

Hear! Hear!

It certainly vies for the most damaging Amendment to our republic with the 16th. 1913 was one BAD year.

Gawd, would I like ex-senator federalist FRed address it - but ... sigh I won't hold my breath on that either.

53 posted on 07/19/2007 7:38:35 PM PDT by dougd
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To: jveritas
Reid is one the rudest, most arrogant, most repugnant, and most hate filled politicians in American history.

I'd also call him a racist. Anyone who would purposely abandon the Iraqis at this time before some sense of order is established shows that he does not care about who or how many get killed. If they were not a brown skinned people, I don't think Reid would folow the course he is on. He is nothing but a racist!

54 posted on 07/19/2007 7:38:54 PM PDT by Socratic (“Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow; it empties today of its strength.” - Corrie Ten Boom)
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To: neverdem
".....and bringing a responsible end to the war," Summers said.

What horse$hit!

55 posted on 07/19/2007 7:39:39 PM PDT by expatpat
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To: neverdem

Later yet, Specter was overheard to say “Harry Reid, thou fobbing, reeling-ripe wagtail, cockered milk-livered flirt-gill!”


56 posted on 07/19/2007 7:42:35 PM PDT by ProtectOurFreedom
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Comment #57 Removed by Moderator

To: tflabo
just take cat naps like Geezer Sheets Byrd during sessions.

Image Hosted by ImageShack.us

LOL. He takes naps during his speeches now. zzzzzzzzzzz

58 posted on 07/19/2007 7:49:11 PM PDT by bikerMD (Beware, the light at the end of the tunnel may be a muzzle flash.)
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To: vetsvette

Specter is much too “moderate” for my liking. But I haven’t see that he has ever been rude or dictatorial.

I think Specter’s calling out another Senator this way is really saying something.


59 posted on 07/19/2007 7:55:58 PM PDT by ChessExpert (Islam - a dangerous cult)
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To: neverdem
Well, well, well. We finally found something that Spincter is passionately concerned about. Ignoring the Constitution and selling out the country has never been a problem for him. But tweaking his Elizabethan collar, well, that just will not stand. What a drama queen.
60 posted on 07/19/2007 7:57:09 PM PDT by Mad_Tom_Rackham (Elections have consequences.)
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