Specter Wins Unanimous Backing From Judiciary Republicans

[WilliamPitt]

http://www.rollcall.com/issues/1_1/breakingnews/7476-1.html

Specter Wins Unanimous Backing From Judiciary Republicans

By Paul Kane
Roll Call Staff

Thursday, Nov. 18; 04:49pm

The GOP members of the Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously lined up behind Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Pa.), ending a two-week standoff over comments about abortion that eventually encompassed the Senator’s views on all matters before the panel and threatened his ascension to the chairmanship.

Specter read a four-paragraph statement, as the committee members stood behind him in the Senate’s Radio/TV Gallery, pledging his loyalty to President Bush’s judicial nominees and guaranteeing that his moderate views would not derail tort reform measures or conservative constitutional amendments impacting such issues as same-sex marriage.

Specter also signaled his belief that there is precedent for Republicans to use the “constitutional,” or “nuclear,” option to end judicial filibusters, a method of employing a parliamentary tactic to require just 51 votes to confirm such nominees.

Before the statement was read, outgoing Judiciary Chairman Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), who worked closely with Specter on the statement, flatly declared that there was “unanimity” on the panel for Specter.

“Arlen Specter will be our next chairman,” Hatch said.

...more, subscription required...

[KoKo]

1. Will, why is Orrin Hatch "Outgoing Judiciary Chairman?" Could you give

me some info? He's a Repug "Golden Boy" is it a "rotational shift" or what?

I'm cooking meatballs and don't have time to Google it...as to the Senate Rule...I don't want you to answer if you have a "hot date" in progress...but I found your post puzzling as to the way the Senate works.

Hatch is Bush buddie...and his kids are all into "mega-veggie vitamins" that they sell without having FDA get involved with their "natural vitamin sources." Hatch is BELOVED by the Repugs....so that's my confusion.

It's pasta red sauce with the meatballs...sorry...when you can answer is good...thanks... It's the "bay leaf" that makes the difference.

[No Mandate Here.]

4. This is one of the RePub Senate rules that they still follow,

for now, anyway.

They rotate out of chairs on a time schedule.

[lgardengate]

5. There is a rule that says the chairman serves 2 years.Hatch has

been chairman 2 years.

[No Mandate Here.]

2. Although I have my suspicions,

we will see just who caved, if anyone, in the next few months.

I think this whole story began when * and Santorum lined up behind Specter in the PA Senate primary, effectively splitting the fundies in this state.

I forget which blog I read which suggested that Nancy Pelosi introduce a bill to ban all abortion, as a blind side wedge to further split the remaining moderate Repubs from the rest of them.

Hmmmm.

[lightbulb]

3. Wow, he's a real magic bullet

The most conservitave of the committee's members feel that the appointment of a moderate senator is a real step back and to the left.

:evilgrin:

[lgardengate]

9. No, Specter has been nutered. He read a statment pledging to

support all Bushes apointees. This guy was taken to the woodshed and he will bend over now for whoever he is asked to support.Also he just hinted that reps will use the "Nuk option" to stop Dem filabuster(SP)

[lightbulb]

10. I agree

I was mostly making a little joke about the special brand of physics the guy invented a while back:




http://www.geocities.com/justicewell/specter.htm

[CityDem]

12. They cut off his balls

The fact that Specter had to read a 4 paragraph (pre-prepared by the right wing members of the committee) message tells it all. In order to get the chair of the judiciary committee, Specter had to agree to support all of Bushco's judges in committee and support the parliamentary procedure (nuclear option) that will end filibusters. Specter and other repub moderates blocked this option in the last session, but with a bigger majority the repubs will end the only practice the dems have to stop the right wing judges.

Specter caved and is now walking around with his balls in a lock box. Can we say Justice Estrada, Justice Rogers-Brown, etc.

[KoKo]

13. Jaysus! I'm making meatballs for dinner and you talk about these "balls"

I always, thought I was psychic! Thanks for your post...and the info...it's good..just ignore me...but, I got it!

[CityDem]

15. I love meatballs

In a nice red sauce...hmmmmm! I feel bad for Specter who has to walk around with his sack in a little box. He can only take them out when Santorum gives him the ok.

[KoKo]

6. It's the Rotation of Senate put in by "Contract for America?" Rotating

Chairmanships? (hubby dishing up the sauce while I post) IOW...Hatch has to "move along" becaue of Gingrich's stuff on this???

Help...do you know?

[sundancekid]

7. specter must NOT be the first casualty of the busheviks -hatch-a-plan time

[against all enemies]

8. Specter must have promised to back Thomas for Chief. They

will now test his loyalty with some right wing nut, and he will cave.

[janx]

11. Specter caved.

This is really sad.

[KoKo]

14. He only squeaked in...he used to support "women's rights" and be a

voice for mod Repugs...so I agree..if he is having to toady and suck up...it's very sad. But, he's a "seasoned Politico." I wouldn't given into saddness about him, yet.

[baltodemvet]

16. Of course

there are suddenly two new funny-looking balls on the billiard table in the Senate GOP lounge.