SPECTER SAYS PRESIDENT DOES NOT HAVE A MANDATE

Face The Nation | Jus'now | Specter

[VaBthang4]

Specter was asked twice if the President had a mandate. Specter hemmed and hawed with the first answer...then when pressed said the President does not have a mandate.

THIS GUY HAS GOT TO GO!!!!

[dennisw]

It's to the point where it would be better off if this loser switched parties.

Many are thinking the same. If conservative Christians put GW over the top and was part of Karl Rove's re-election strategy, why are we having this worthless liberal thrust upon us? As though it's a done deal due to seniority? We who voted for GW deserve better and owe Specter nothing

[SunkenCiv]

I see. Luckily, Specter's political career is coming to an end. Whether that's due to his own retirement, or his marginalization by the ticked-off Republican majority, we'll see.

[IStillBelieve]

I think we're overreacting to Specter's public comments. Let's be patient and see what happens to the first Bush nominee.

[Liberty Valance]

"B O R K" - Specter

[TeleStraightShooter]

Votes received as a percentage of Voting Age Population:
31.2% 1984 Reagan
27.3% 2004 Bush
26.8% 1976 Reagan
26.7% 1988 Bush
26.7% 1980 Reagan
25.7% 1976 Ford
25.7% 2004 Kerry
24.8% 2000 Gore
24.5% 2000 Bush
24.1% 1996 Clinton
23.7% 1992 Clinton
22.9% 1988 Dukakis
22.1% 1980 Carter
21.5% 1984 Mondale
20.6% 1992 Bush
19.9% 1996 Dole

Apparently Arlen is statistically challenged.

[international american]

"He makes McCain look like another Newt."

Yeah, an as we know, that ain't easy to do!

[Mr. Keys]

I don't believe it gains him anything unless he is delusional and hopes for a Clinton cabinet post such as AG. I just feel his true colors are showing.

[plangent]

Specter was recorded either Friday or Saturday. Since then a change.

There's an easier way, as Karl Rove explained on Meet the Press this AM:

Sen. Specter has assured the Whitehouse he will have a hearing on every
one of Pres. Bush's nominees.

He has assured the Whitehose, every nonimee will get a committee vote, and

Every nominee approved by the Committee will go to the Floor.

Can't hope for more than that.

[Cedric]

If we really trust W & Rove, why don't we trust that they backed the right candidate in PA?

I'm sure W & Rove are not shocked by Specter's recent statements. They have known all along what a snake he is and backed him any way. That's good enough for me.

[jim35]

Finally, a voice of sanity emerges... That is almost certainly what would have happened. To much emotion here, not enough rational thought. Specter is better than the alternative would have been... another commielib.

[We Happy Few]

Specter does not have a chairmanship.

[Tuxedo]

The focus here needs to be on the MSM, not Specter. They are tossing about this "mandate" word like the "gravitas" garbage four years ago. If Bush won by ten points in the popular vote and garnered over 400 EV, the MSM would still say he doesn't have a mandate. Bush has a mandate if he believes he has one. Recall the infamous tax hike of 1993, WJC won it by one vote in the Senate (Al Gore breaking the tie) and said, "The margin was close, but the mandate is clear." I do not recall the MSM challenging him on this, only Rush.

[IStillBelieve]

Agreed. And in fact, the Scottish One may inoculate himself further by voting against the pick in committee, and against him on the floor, but with the Republicans to break any fillibuster.

[Brilliant]

Would like to see the exact quote. I don't see a transcript on FoxNews.

[onyx]

Only if Spector's committee vote is NOT the tie breaker.
What's the Rat v GOP ratio of the Judiciary?

[Paperdoll]

ROTFLOL - with tears rolling down my cheeks!

[Semi Civil Servant]

I think Specter just lost his already fading chance to preside over the Judiciary Committee.

[RGSpincich]

Every mandate question needs to answered using Clinton's 1992 "Mandate for Change" victory as a point of reference. He only got 43% of the vote, Bush is holding at 51%. What's there to talk about?

[maine-iac7]

Option 1 has risks. He could go semi-Jeffords and become a media darling to whom the reporters go whenever they need a quote to humiliate the GOP. He could also use his considerable seniority in the Senate to obstruct all sorts of things in revenge. We should not discount his power to do this

This is very true - unfortunately.

The better part of poker may be to leave him where he is - I have a notion that "W" knows just what he's dealing with - and may have an ace in his pocket.

I wonder which would be the worse - Specter as is or Specter pulling a Jeffords - and the resulting loosing a R Sen. and the resulting media frenzy and dims delight over another rep. Senator jumping ship.

[jonefab]

Specter was asked twice if the President had a mandate. Specter hemmed and hawed with the first answer...then when pressed said the President does not have a mandate.

The separation of powers will more than likely take its toll as far as the Presidents mandate goes. In our system, the president doesn't set the agenda of either the House or the Senate, leadership in those bodies do, as it should be. I just hope Frist has the good sense to do the right thing and get Specter off the list for Chairmanship of the Judiciary Committee. I give it about a 70/30 chance that Frist will bow to Specter's Senate seniority and allow him to chair the committee. Pressure from outside his Senatorial district will help but pressure from within his district will have the most impact. He comes from a moderate district as does Specter and approval from his district will be the thing that sways his judgement, this is why leadership is so important in Congress. Seniority is very important as far as assignments go and it would be difficult to put aside Senate protocol and Senate rules. We will soon know.