The fillibustering issue is another important one but having a moderate, pro-choice Senator as head of the judiciary committee will NOT help matters no matter how you look at it.
I'm convinced that Specter could change his party affiliation to Democrat and without changing any of his views, handily win another election. That should tell you something.
We'll have to see what the transcript says but it is interesting that whatever it says, so many people can believe the original news story without question. Don't get me wrong, if Specter comes out with a transcript that says something entirely different, I'll believe him over some reporter. However, that does nothing to erase his actions in the past.
Remember his invocation of 'Scottish law'? That was the point at which it was clear to me that this guy had lost it.
So long as 40 Senators can prevent an appointment there will be no overtly pro-life judges ever.