Specter in line to be federal court kingmaker

[Mandate My Ass]

Specter in line to be federal court kingmaker

If he wins, he'll head the Judiciary Committee. His "centrist" vow is a sham, his opponent says.

By Steve Goldstein
Inquirer Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON - If he wins reelection and the Republicans retain control of the U.S. Senate, Pennsylvania's Arlen Specter will head the Senate Judiciary Committee and play a pivotal role in the composition of the Supreme Court and selection of federal judges.

The recently disclosed illness of Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist and the potential retirement of at least two other Supreme Court justices have sharpened the focus on Specter's prospects for becoming committee chairman.

Specter's impending chairmanship of this important panel is in play as an election issue, as challenger U.S. Rep. Joseph Hoeffel (D., Pa.) questions whether Specter would vote to confirm judges outside "the broad mainstream of political thought."

<snip>

Hoeffel has attacked Specter as voting for "every right-wing and, in many cases, unqualified appointment to the federal bench" that Bush has made.

"In many cases, women-hating, civil rights-denying, labor-bashing, environment-trashing, unqualified people," Hoeffel said in a recent WHYY radio interview.


Specter, however, said earlier this year that he could envision approving a nominee "where you don't know where they are" on abortion rights. Increasingly, he said, nominees "don't let you know where they are" on the issue.

kingmakerhttp://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/10044297.htm

[aquart]

1. Does Arlen have a vertebrae left?

[durablend]

2. Now he's complaining...

That there should be AT LEAST a 30 day extension on Pennsylvania's absentee votes from overseas this year. Shit...why not make it another 4 years...* can watch the house in the meantime.

[demokatgurrl]

3. Stop Specter! Help Elect Hoeffel! Go here:

http://www.hoeffelforsenate.com

[bleedingheart]

4. yet another reason to elect Hoeffel

[spinbaby]

5. Do you think Hoeffel has a chance?

I'm suddenly seeing a lot of this guy Clymer and it looks like he could take a lot of the far-right nutcake vote away from Specter. Could that give Hoeffel a chance? Last I saw a poll (early October, I think) there was a 9 point spread between Hoeffel and Specter.

[Mandate My Ass]

6. If Clymer dropped

It would be a dead heat.

As of today I think it's Specter 48%, Hoeffel 41% and Clymer 6%.

[demokatgurrl]

7. I think he has a chance but it won't be easy

If a lot of the neocons go for Clymer that will certainly help. At one point there was a 6 point spread. Problem is a lot of Dems in PA split their ticket to vote for Specter (I CANNOT imagine why), and Specter supporters have actually been putting up signs that say "KERRY/SPECTER FOR FAMILIES". So they make it look as though Kerry approves of Specter somehow.

But, I keep trying, I throw money to him and volunteer for his campaign. At least, assuming Kerry wins, I think he will get a job for taking this hit for the party. He gave up a nice save Congress seat.

[Trailrider1951]

8. You know, Specter chose the dark side years ago

I'll bet that many of you younger people do not remember that Arlen Specter was not only a member of the Warren Commission, but was also the AUTHOR of the "magic bullet" explanation of how the JFK murder unfolded. He's been lying thru his teeth ever since. He will say and/or do anything to keep power. Typical Puke.

[Mandate My Ass]

9. Oh I know all about Arlen "magic bullet" Specter

He also distinguished himself during the Clarence Thomas hearings.

He cozied up to Bush during the primary and now his minions are going around Philly and the suburbs putting Kerry/Specter signs everywhere.

Centrist my ass. Opportunist and water carrier for the neocons is more like it.

[PCIntern]

10. It's actually really complicated

I'm one of the few professionals who's Jewish who never ever voted for arlen. almost everyone else will admit that they at one time or another, did so.

He may or may not win - it could be a surprise if the kids come out and vote straight Dem. The Conservative Party guy is helping Hoeffel, who's an acquaintance of mine - I told him about raising $$ on the Web, specifically a few sites where he actually wound up. Specter has been endorsed by some of the unions and lots of the Jewsih folk, but people are getting tired of him and he looks just awful, despite the Inquirer piece on how well he looks - which was a lot of crap.

We'll see -we're a volatile state right now.