AZRepublic: Kyl could end up as Judiciary chairman

[City Lights]

Kyl could end up as Judiciary chairman

Billy House
Republic Washington Bureau
Nov. 16, 2004 12:00 AM

WASHINGTON - Sen. Jon Kyl of Arizona could play a major role in the confirmation of new U.S. Supreme Court justices if conservative constituents have their way and Sen. Arlen Specter gets knocked out of the running for Judiciary Committee chairman.

Kyl is next in line to lead the Senate committee that considers President Bush's judicial nominations if the more-moderate Specter is blocked.

Conservative activists said Monday that they intend to increase the pressure to deny Specter, R-Pa., the chairmanship. Senate Republicans have scheduled a pair of closed-door meetings with Specter today that could determine his fate.

These meetings come as conservative and religious groups remain furious over Specter's post-election comments suggesting that it was unlikely the Senate would confirm Supreme Court nominees who would overturn the 1973 Roe vs. Wade decision giving American women abortion rights.

more... http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/news/articles/1116kyl-judiciary16.html

[havocmom]

1. This is VERY bad news

Kyl is pretty seriously as RW Whacko as they come.

[MrUnderhill]

2. They'd be shooting themselves in the foot.

Specter may be "liberal" by comparison to what they want, but it doesn't change the fact that he's been loyal enough to vote for every one of their nominees. None of the controversial judges that are being filibustered would even be up for a vote if he hadn't let them past.

But turn the committee over to Kyl, and Specter is free to vote however he wants (in retaliation). Sure, the larger majority in the Senate means they get at least one more seat on that committee, but at worst he becomes their version of Zell Miller.

"Bring it on"

[9119495]

4. Specter also has no challenger for 6 whole years

that means he is perhaps ready for a f-you to the party.

[City Lights]

3. Wacko indeed.

The last thing this creep needs is more power. :puke:

[jamesinca]

9. Kyl is up for re-election in '06

West coast Dems lets take him out with door to door canvasing and such. Everybody else needs to phone bank and send money to his opponents campaign. Lets git er' done!! Does AZ use the non traceable voting machines or does AZ use paper trail type machines?

[City Lights]

10. Let's hope he has an opponent.

He didn't have one in 2000 (at least not a Dem), yet he still spent millions on advertising. I remember the CW at the time was that he was trying to scare off any Dem challenger in 2006.

Maricopa County uses paper ballots and optical scanners. Not sure about the rest of AZ.

[BlueManDude]

12. No it's good news - let them scalp Specter

the farther off the deep end they go the better.

[DemFromMem]

5. There goes Bush's immigration plan

This guy is one of the most anti-immigrant Senators in the country. If Bush is serious about pushing his immigration plan, he's going to have to get the support of the Judiciary chair. Very bad news if you think immigration is important for the country.

[JI7]

6. is Rick Santorum in a tough spot ?

if he supports Specter then would that mean the Republicans would run Toomey against him in the primary ?

if Santorum does not support Specter , does that mean it will hurt him in the statewide elections since the more moderate voters will be angry at him for going against Specter, the senior Senator ?

[AlCzervik]

7. I dont like Spector at all but compared to this wingnut

i'd take him.

[Nestea]

8. Kyl is a crazy guy

He's such a Club for Growth tax cutting whore.

[Snellius]

11. What is this: Revenge of the Assholes?

DeLay, Hastert, Bill Thomas, Frist, now Kyl. Why is it that Republicans always seem to call on the most obnoxious, bone-headed cretins?

[kwolf68]

13. This will burn Specters ass

The party is moving far into the bleak right and Senators like Specter, Chafee, Snowe and Collins are the only ones keeping it from being completely fascist.