Posted on 11/18/2004 4:04:39 PM PST by conservativecorner
(CNSNews.com) - Pro-life activists, seeking to derail the appointment of Pennsylvania Republican Sen. Arlen Specter to the chairmanship of the Senate Judiciary Committee, will not get a chance to personally argue their case with Majority Leader Bill Frist.
A coalition of pro-life religious leaders did meet with Frist's aides Tuesday, but any efforts to persuade Frist about Specter's fitness to serve as Judiciary chairman will have to be done from afar.
Rev. Patrick J. Mahoney, director of the Christian Defense Coalition, said Frist's top aide cited scheduling problems that would preclude a meeting with Frist from taking place.
"It is deeply troubling that Senator Frist could not find the time to sit down and discuss the Arlen Specter situation with national leaders and clergy from the pro-life/pro-family community. It clearly shows a profound lack of respect and understanding toward the very people who re-elected President Bush and gave the Republicans majorities in both the House and Senate," Mahoney stated.
"The reality that Senator Frist must now understand is, don't dismiss and ignore us today and expect our enthusiastic support in 2008 if you decide to run for president," Mahoney added.
Despite initial concerns over whether Specter, as chairman of the Judiciary Committee, would give President Bush's conservative judicial nominees fair hearings, Frist Wednesday sounded like the issue had already been decided.
"Today he had the opportunity to make some comments, which were received very well by members of the (Republican) caucus," Frist said, adding that he was anxious to resolve the issue over who will chair the committee.
In addition to handling the president's nominations to the lower federal courts, members of the Senate Judiciary Committee could soon be dealing with one or more Bush nominees to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Frist and the Senate Republicans to conservative voters: "Thanks for your support. See you in 2 years, suckers!"
If you ask me, I believe Specter got the point here. From what I hear Specter hasn't rejected any of Bush's nominations, right?
I believe the pressure was enough to crack Specter.
Who knows.
Who appointed YOU and YOUR buddies the spokesman for all of those people?
I really wish some of these folks would get over themselves.
Folks, this has been decided, and the decision is coming straight from the White House. Bush and Rove pandered to the conservatives to win this election, and now are going to steer moderate.
If he doesnt come through, we can consider 20million Christian Right folks alienated..!
they should seek to meet with the minority head. Perhaps the new guy might have some ideas worth discussing.
If Specter is allowed to head up the Judicary committee the Republican Party can kiss all their progress made in the last four years goodbye.
Uh huh.....sure.....
Here's the deal...
Let Specter have his chair. But any effort on his part to stonewall or delay any conservative Bush appointee (particularly pro-life appointees) and Frist and the leadership must be held accountable. They need to know they only represent us. They do not rule us.
I looks like I am going to be busy 11/4/2008.
Specter cracks under pressure.
1. Bork.
2. Clinton impeachment.
He is part of the GOP spineless brigade. The best thing about this fiasco is that it showed the true colors of Frist, Santorum, et al. Santorum is running for re-election as a Specter Republican. Frist just kissed his '08 primary chances good-bye.
Exactly.
I don't like Specter at all; but the important thing is that he has never participated in a filibuster, and has outright condemned them. He is of the opinion that "if you don't like the judge, vote him down. But you have to give him his vote." My quote, not his.
We have the numbers to get any judge confirmed. If Specter continues to hold the same positions he's always held, the judges will come to the floor for a vote and will get confirmed 53-47(ish). That's the most important thing here -- that he won't filibuster. He may vote against a judge, but we'll still have the numbers; and he'd do that anyway if he's wasn't the Chairman.
Just get these judges to the floor for a vote, then they're in!
Thanks for the flipped-bird.
This is getting to sound like the warnings the US and UN issued to Iraq for 12 years. OK, here's the line, don't cross it. Hmmmm....ok, well, here's the new line don't cross it. With Specter, it has been: OK, don't appoint him to the chair or you'll regret it and conservatives will be upset. Oh, OK....let him have the chair, but the first time you vote, wrong, boy will you be in trouble!
Would love to see the letter they had Specter sign.....
Another slap in the face to conservatives and conservatism.
These senators haughtily thumbing their noses at their constituency tells us alot about the power of the people, doesn't it?
And the tragedy is that they'll be voted back in yet again, which tells us alot about their constituency.
"Who appointed YOU and YOUR buddies the spokesman for all of those people?"
I know you meant to be sharp in your attack, but I think you have something here that is less obvious. The Senate leadership or the President cannot let themselves appear to be dictated to by individuals or groups. It would just throw fuel on the fire about how the religious right has taken over the country - which isn't true.
I consider myself part of the religious right, but I know good and well we were only a small part of a series of coalitions that got President Bush reelected. The NRA, VETS, etc. also were part of the group. So, for one coalition to demand their way just isn't going to fly. Plus, as you point out, who can claim to speak for the religious right; we are not a monelithic group.
I would prefer that Spector not be the chairman. However, if he can be made to tow the "party" line and not his own agenda, then let him chair. When he steps out of line, then we can really come down hard.
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