Posted on 11/05/2004 6:28:01 AM PST by Always Right
Specter Retreats: Specter denied yesterday that he threatened Bush on judge nominees. Don’t buy it. Specter knows that he got too arrogant and stepped into a hornets nest. Specter’s statement that, “I have never and would never apply any litmus test on the abortion issue,” just is not true. Specter has made it clear that he considers Roe v. Wade as Constitutional as the First Amendment. When the rubber hits the road, this is a litmus test for Specter. A few token votes to save his behind doesn’t change that a bit. Never forget what he did to Bork. In words and actions, Sen. Specter is no different than President NON-elect Kerry.
The BUZZ on this issue was outstanding. Discussions were all over talk radio, cable TV, and the internet. Several reports of phone calls flooding Senators offices were made. Reportedly, Sen. Frist grilled Sen. Specter on this and told him flatly that the Judiciary Chairmanship is not guaranteed. Folks, this is winnable. We can not let this issue die.
Today’s goal is to STRATEGIZE. Things we know:
1. Sen. Hatch must resign the Chairmanship because GOP rules forbid him to hold it for more than 8 years.
2. Sen. Grassley is next in line, but because he is Finance Chairman he is forbidded to have both.
3. Sen. Specter is next in line, followed by Sen. Kyl who would make an excellent Chairman.
4. Seniority on Committee gives priority, but it still must be voted on. We need to find out the when, what, where, and how behind this vote.
There is an effort to try to persuade Grassley to resign his Finance Chairmanship and take the Judiciary. I support this. It’s a clean way to resolve this without changing the rules or ruffling of too many feathers. But having Grassley give up the coveted Finance Chair is a big if.
Let’s keep in mind the real goal here too as we strategize. We want Bush to appoint good conservative judges who will not go along with the judicial activism that currently runs rabid in our courts. There are two obstacles to this.
1. Democrat Filibusters.
2. Specter as Chairman of Judiciary.
The next 60 will determine how big the obstacles will be. In my opinion, what happens over the next 60 days are the most critical. We need to establish a clean path so Bush’s appointed judges can get voted on the full floor of the Senate. We must keep up the pressure on our Senators. If we let it die now, nothing will be done and we will have lost the best opportunity of our lives to make a difference in our Courts.
There is a preliminary petition at that is being worked on here. Please review it. Pro-Life Petition to Block Sen. Arlen Specter.
BTTT!!!!!!!
BTTT!!!!!!!
"I don't want to anger or alienate him. I do want to scare him. "
Tricky thing to do!
Other "moderate" republicans will be looking at this, are they going to feel so scared that they have to leave the party to vote as their liberal constituents will want them to?
The nice thng about removing the filibuster is that that removes any chance for "moderates" to block judges- so they can't be held to task by their electorate for not doing so. They can vote against pro-life judges. That won't block the judges though like their vote to support a filibuster would.
Chafee and Snowe- for example- are up for reelection, they need to be able to vote against pro-life judges.
The President has a mandate to nominate any one he damn well pleases.
His mandate does not extend to the constitutional authority of the United States Senate to advise and consent upon those nominations.
This is true whether the President is a Republican or Democrat, and whether the Senate is Republican or Democrat. There are constitutional prerogatives and protections in play here.
Happily for us, this President, this majority leader and the Republican Senate caucus --- including Senator Specter -- shares the goal of transforming the federal judiciary.
This is an email to one of his aides from the campaign and the info will get to Dr. Coburn:
patrick.wyrick@coburnforsenate.com
Bork Specter, Now ~ Bump!
Unfortunately, I think it is a "done deal" that Arlen Specter the Defecter will be Chairman of the Judiciary. As is the pattern with yellow-backed liberals, he is frightened of the voters only when they have any possibility of thwarting their ambition. Once they are safely placated, it's back to business as usual...screwing the Constitution and giving the voter the finger.
Please contact GOP Judiciary Committee members to express your disapproval of Specter:
http://stopspecter.savethegop.com/index.php?page=act
Yes they are and they would and Ralph Neas (leader of the leftist opposition to judicial nominees) promised as much on CNN last night.
But Bush only needs the consent of a majority of the Senate.
Happily for us, this President, this majority leader and the Republican Senate caucus --- including Senator Specter -- shares the goal of transforming the federal judiciary.
I would suggest you do a little more research on Mr. Specter. He is all for maintaining the current 'balance' on the courts. Specter is a very vocal opponent of anyone trying to transform the courts. If you think he does support such a transformation, then Specter has been a lying about his true beliefs for 30 years.
Feedback I'm getting is really good.
We CAN accomplish this -- phone calls and emails are the key. I know there are doubters on this thread and lurkers out there who don't believe that this can happen.
Let me assure you that it can and it is happening.
We are REALLY REALLY REALLY close to getting this done -- email everyone you know and get them to call. MAKE THIS HAPPEN.
And by the way -- Grassley is Chair of Finance, he ain't givin' that up. Kyl is chair of the Rep. Policy Comm. so he's part of leadership. Probably won't give that up. DeWine is too liberal. But Sessions? Ahhhhhhhhh. That would be BEAUTIFUL. Sessions was a federal judicial nominee who was BORKED by Specter.
Se-ssions! Se-ssions! Se-ssions! Se-ssions!
Bork Specter? - Is he the main character in Star Wars V ???
Agree.
His mandate does not extend to the constitutional authority of the United States Senate to advise and consent upon those nominations.
Not sure what you mean. He wasn't elected to change the role of the Senate. However, his election, and the wishes of who elected, indicate that the majority want the Senate to nominate conservative judges who will reverse some of the activism, and to do otherwise would be to thwart the will of the people.
This is true whether the President is a Republican or Democrat, and whether the Senate is Republican or Democrat. There are constitutional prerogatives and protections in play here.
This is a truism.
Happily for us, this President, this majority leader and the Republican Senate caucus --- including Senator Specter -- shares the goal of transforming the federal judiciary.
Agree with respect to the President. I don't think Specter has the goal of transforming the federal judiciary in the same way that the President and his supporters do.
What's Star Wars V???
Who is Bork Specter? :o)
Push for Senator Kyl ... a most excellent alternative to rino Specter.
Use Bork as a verb. :)
Maybe Specter has just been lying to us for 30 years in anticipation of getting the Chairman's job.....
FRIST:
http://frist.senate.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=AboutSenatorFrist.ContactForm
HATCH forms:
http://hatch.senate.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=Offices.Contact
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