How disastrous was Santorum’s endorsement of Specter? Can you say "Obamacare?"

Legal Insurrection ^ | December 30, 2011 | William A. Jacobson

[red flanker]

Rick Santorum backed Arlen Specter over Pat Toomey in 2004. It was a tough race with Toomey mounting a credible, well-financed challenge.

Toomey’s candidacy, by his own estimation, was one of the precursors to the Tea Party movement:

The “battle for the heart and soul of the Republican Party” between big spending moderates and committed conservatives that was evident in 2004 may have inspired subsequent Tea Party efforts, Toomey suggested. Despite losing out on key endorsements from leading Republican figures in 2004, Toomey believes his primary campaign created a strong foundation for conservative activism that translated into victory in 2010.

Santorum not only backed Specter, he cut a commercial for him.

[dixiechick2000]

“that “government shutdown” that had Newt running with his tail tucked?”

Didn’t Dole cave the day before the ‘rats would have?

[Sun]

“The reason I endorsed Arlen Specter is because we were going to have two Supreme Court nominees coming up,” said Santorum. “I got a commitment from Arlen Specter that no matter who George W. Bush would nominate, he would support that nominee.”

excerpt http://blog.lisagraas.com/2011/10/12/the-truth-regarding-santorums-endorsement-of-arlen-specter/

[dixiechick2000]

There was an agreement between Specter and Santorum in that Arlen would vote for good judges in exchange for Santorum’s support.

His word was good.

[jospehm20]

I have read that argument before but I have a hard time believing Specter was the only guy who could have done it. How will the Senate function without him?

[Sun]

Yes, and Santorum said we wouldn’t have Alito, if it weren’t for Specter.

Later Toomey endorsed Santorum.

[Timber Rattler]

I have read that argument before but I have a hard time believing Specter was the only guy who could have done it.

You have to understand how the Senate and its seniority system works. Specter was the Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and with his seniority and good relationship with his Rat buddies, especially Swimmer Kennedy, he was able to push Roberts and Alito through fairly easily, even though Alito took some low blow shots from the Rats. I seriously doubt that any other Republican senator could have done it like Specter did.

Listen I detest Anarlin' Arlen as much as the next FReeper, but he did honor his deal with Santorum and as a result, we got a Conservative leaning SCOTUS (for the time being) that has checked Obama and may just strike down Obamacare this eummer.

[marstegreg]

Thanks. If anything, this makes me like him more!

[jmaroneps37]

If you think this will be a problem for santorum if he is our nominee you are dead wrong. If more than 3 in 100 know about that would be a lot. If half of them hold it against him as a more serious issue than Obamacare and therefore not vote for him that would be a surprise.
This is a total non-issue to the general voting public.

[DoughtyOne]

I provided a link for you.  At the very top of the information provided at that link, this appeared.

It lists the actions Santorum took with regard to Clinton's impeachment.

Here they are.

Allowed the House Managers to present their case.
Allowed House Managers to depose witnesses.
Allowed videotaping of witnesses.
Allowed the House Managers to present transcripts and video of witnesses.
Voted to allow live testimony.
Allowed the House Managers to present closing arguments.
Allowed normal trial procedures in which closing arguments were not disclosed in advance.
Voted to remove Mr. Clinton for perjury.
Voted to remove Mr. Clinton for obstruction of justice.

It was said here that Santorum conspired with Lott to defeat the impeachment of Bill Clinton.

Now, does that appear to be true to you at this point?

You responded with the women, the women, the women...

Santorum supported four different methods of women being able to present their case.  They didn't even have to do it in person.

I'm not trying to give you a hard time here.  The goal is to get the truth out.

[Yaelle]

Santorum has explained this. Spector promised him conservative supreme ct judges.

[Yaelle]

That is an excellent piece on why Santorum supported Spector and how Reagan did an act of loyalty similarly but didn’t even get the reward of Supreme Court Justices. Stuff happens. In santorum’s case it was worth it.

[SatinDoll]

Thank you for the information.

[true believer forever]

I had about 5 min to read some of your link - and I am a pretty fast reader - and it looks thoughtful and interesting. I bookmarked to read it all this weekend...

I will never support your candidate, there is too much else wrong with him, but I don’t want to spread untruths about anybody...

[dixiechick2000]

Yes!

Are you as sick of the spin and infighting as I am? ;o)

[Sun]

I don’t get acting as if every candidate, who is not THEIR candidate, is the worst human being on Planet Earth.

[Sun]

Whether you agree with Rick Santorum, or not, can you at least understand his logic? And this is one of the things that supports his logic:

“Specter won with 53% of the votes over his opponent with 42%. Toomey and Santorum are staunch Catholic Christians, vigorously pro-life and the Commonwealth would be well served by having both in the Senate.

Unfortunately, the politics at the time of the 2004 were precarious enough that a Toomey campaign against Hoeffel would not be as certain as a Specter vs. Hoeffel match, or so Rick Santorum and others believed.”

excerpt http://www.renewamerica.com/columns/abbott/061018

[Lancey Howard]

Ironically, Toomey came out in support of the sodomization of the US military through repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”.
That’s a deal breaker, and I won’t vote for him again.

[RightLady]

If it had not beemn for Specter, Roberts and (other is a conservative) would not be on the Supreme Court. The Dems were set to filibuster those appts. Liebermann and Specter got enough Dems to vote for them—Let’s hope they can overturn Obamacare. Those appts were worth it (I can’t stand Specter , but those appts were very mportant.

[RightLady]

If it had not beemn for Specter, Roberts and (other is a conservative) would not be on the Supreme Court. The Dems were set to filibuster those appts. Liebermann and Specter got enough Dems to vote for them—Let’s hope they can overturn Obamacare. Those appts were worth it (I can’t stand Specter , but those appts were very mportant.

[dixiechick2000]

LOL! I don’t get that, either.

Some people...;o)

I just want a conservative...