OK. We have to prepare for the worst.
This is Spector's last stand. It's the highest point in his career -- to get a chair. In the event that the public pressure won't stop the pubbies from giving him the chair, then we have to be ready to have his chair effectively neutered. He get's his chair, and we get our judges. We won't be 100% happy that this RINO is heading the chair, but we'll get EVERY SINGLE nominee through.
I think no matter who gets the chair, the following rules must be put in place for the next Congress. Please excuse typos and logical errors -- it's late and I'm just trying to float that we need airtight, loop proof rules to effectively neuter Specter.
1. Nominees who aren't voted on in committee within 30 days of an announced nomination are automatically sent to the floor for a full vote. If hearings are to be held, hearings must start on the next business day of the Senate and must end no later than three months from the start date. Failure to end the hearings or failure to bring about a vote within this three month period will result inthe nominee automatically sent to the floor for a full vote.
2. The Chair of the comitte cannot hold a nominee in committee for more than 30 days without starting a hearing, and such hearing shall last no more than 3 months, at which time the committee must vote or the nominee is automatically sent to the senate floor for a full vote on the day after the third month.
3. A simple majority vote of the comittee can send a nominee to the floor of the senate for a full vote over any actions by the chair.
4. The comittee must meet within 30 days of a nomination by the president or the nominee is automatically sent to the floor for a full vote.
5. If the comittie cannot be served or officially notified of a nominee, the nominee will be sent to the senate floor for a full vote within 30 days of the offical public announcement by the president.
6. All nominees who have not been voted down by the committee within 30 days of the announcement by the president, and if the committee has failed to meet within those 30 days, the nominee is automatically sent to the Senate floor after the 30th day.
7. Any inaction by the chair on a nominee within a 30 day period will result in an automatic forwarding of the nominee to the full senate for a full vote.
8. Any litigation against the rules will result in an automatically sending the nominee to the senate floor for a full vote on or immediatly after the date of litigation.
9. The committee cannot hold hearings for more than 3 months on a nominee. If the comitte fails to hold hearings, the nominee is automatically sent to the Senate floor for a full vote on the following day.