Posted on 11/04/2004 11:21:57 AM PST by churchillbuff
ARLEN SPECTER MUST BE STOPPED: STOP HIM NOW [Kathryn Jean Lopez] A few readers have already told me they have e-mailed Bill Frist and/or their senators. The more I think about it, this election is not over—there is unfinished business. As you know, Arlen Specter warned the president yesterday, in the press, that he will have a litmus test for judges if Specter is judiciary chair, a foregone conclusion as far as most are concerned. Fact is, folks, HE IS NOT JUDICIARY CHAIR, but there will be elections in the Senate in the coming days which could very well make him judiciary chairman.
Conservatives, as we have seen, won this election. Many of you personally played no small role in that. Why should Republicans stifle their conservative base by putting Arlen Specter in as judiciary chair? There is no reason. If there was some deal cut that he would be judiciary chair, it seems to me he broke it yesterday.
Some might want to give him the benefit of the doubt. (Not me.) Maybe Specter just wanted to keep the liberals who supported his reelection bid off his case, so he issued his warning to the president on the day of his victory (and a very conservative victory across the nation, at that). Fact is, we only know what he says. And I, for one, will take him on his word.
So, simply put, Arlen Specter cannot be judiciary chair.
If you agree—if you agree that good men and women cannot be kept off the Supreme Court because they are against abortion (disqualifying, for starters, any faithful Catholic, many evangelicals, Muslims, automatically…)—call and e-mail Bill Frist (and your Republican senators, if applicable) today. I’m pretty certain an overwhelming outcry from conservatives in the next few days is the only way Arlen Specter can be kept from becoming a huge obstacle.
So get to work. Frist’s number is 202-224-3344.
P.S. I'd congratulate Frist on his great wins in the Senate, too!
He's a liar.
He had a presser and he is filmed saying it.
His ego and his mouth just killed off his Chairmanship and he is now attempting to correct it.
BTTT
You just put your finger on it. I would add that this is the way the Founding Fathers intended the senate to work. It's literally a drag on political movements like the present Conservative shift. 30 years ago it prevented a lot of Liberal excesses. If the Conservative movement can sustain itself, and I think it will, then we will eventually get a Supreme Court worthy of the name. THAT would be a great legacy.
Would never happen.
I sincerely hope you are right, and, indeed, your argument is persuasive.
My underlying concern was that the increase of the Republican majority reduces the possibility of continued Democratic / liberal filibuster. I suspect that the defeat of Daschle contributes to this and there may be other factors. If Spectre were to change parties, this majority would be weakened.
The only counter-argument to your post would be that PA is becoming more Democratic, therefore, Spectre might feel that his would be safer as a Democrat. The counter-counter-argument is that he is 74 years old and this may be his last term.
Let's just hope you are right.
I hear that they only have one office fitting that description, and Jeffords isn't giving it up.
Good letter -- calm and reasoned and knowledgeable.
Splendid Rob. Nice work!
Who should we call?
thanks!
I appreciate the feedback. thanks,
I heard on news today that Chaffee is already making noises about changing to the dark side. Unfortunately, I fear he won't be the only one. If any of the Rinos don't get what they want, the chairmanship of whatever committee suits them, they will be threatening. Let's see, Rinos: Snowe, Collins, Specter, Chaffee, McCain, Lugar, Graham, Hagel, and how many more? 55 seats, minus 8+ Rinos = Democrat majority. It would probably do no harm to east coast Rinos to change parties plus Specter will not run again so they can't hurt him. Hmmmm.
Senators,
When the Democrats started filibustering President Bush’s judicial nominations they changed the way business was done in the US Senate. Republicans must adapt to this tactic of bare knuckles politics.
Republicans have worked and tried many things to get around this Democrat roadblock. It is time to take them on directly.
The first thing every Senate does is to vote on the Senate rules. Republicans must, with a simple majority, change the Senate rules making it clear that filibusters on judicial appointments are forbidden. Nominees will still be held to approval in the Judiciary committee and a full vote in the Senate as they should be.
Failure to change the rules on judicial appointments will guarantee Senate gridlock on judicial appointments unless the Republicans surrender and appoint Democrat choices to the nation’s courts.
Further, allowing filibusters on judicial appointments does not uphold the Senate’s responsibility to advise and consent the President since one person is blocking the whole process and thus Senate is not giving advise and/or consent.
Another problem is Arlen Specter as possibly the chairman of the Judiciary committee. This must not be allowed. While Arlen is busily trying to deny his threats to President Bush’s judicial nominations, Arlen was in a similar situation about six months ago, again trying to deny his comments. It seems that Arlen is a loose cannon and should not be in an important post that will affect the judicial processes in America for the next thirty years.
Thank You,
RJL
That oughta make his day. Nice job.
I like it, good job.
Has anyone ever seen a picture of KJ Lopez?
Isn't Specter 74? In six years he would be 80! Most guys don't live that long. There are too many old goats in the Senate. This guy needs to be taken down three pegs at least.
OK Everyone - Time to get back to work! Hit the judiciary Ping Lists, the State Ping Lists, the Life Ping Lists. This is now the most important thing we need to focus on.
DC Chapter - Conservatives from across the country will be coming to town Monday and Tuesday for the Heritage Foundation's President's Club meeting - Rush is keynoting. Can we leverage this to get Specter redeployed and off the judiciary?
http://www.nationalreview.com/thecorner/04_11_04_corner-archive.asp
SPECTER: THIS IS WHAT TO DO [Kathryn Jean Lopez] Frist knows our beef. Call your Republicans senators. When they meet on leadership posts (next week), they can vote against extending the judiciary chairmanship to Specter. Here's the Senate website. Call and email. (I'll get you a straight list of all the numbers and emails just as soon as possible.) I think that transcript emphasises Specter does not have the conservative temperment or instincts to be judiciary chairman. Why, after yesterday's victory, would the majority party put in place such a huge obstacle, just because of tradition?
Time to put our pajamas on. Looks like we have a week.
I don't have a Republican Senator so I'll focus my attention on Frist. I'll send him a few FAX's, as soon as the lines are open.
Ping all lists. Freepers have to act on this one. Big time.
The voicemail bnox is "Full"
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