Arlen Specter taking it hard from Rick Santorum

[nixonwasbetterthanW]

<http://www.suntimes.com/output/novak/cst-edt-novak08.html>

To correct Specter's monumental mistake, his staff put out a news release trying to contradict the senator's undeniable advocacy of a litmus test. Actually, the brief statement repeated his warning of filibusters against President Bush's judges and did not pledge unqualified support for any nominee sent down by the White House. Furthermore, the sincerity of Specter's retreat was undermined when he said he had issued the statement at the urging of the conservative senator from Pennsylvania, Rick Santorum.<\b>

Arlen Specter is spineless. Would it really be good for the Dems if he moved to their side? My bet is that he will back Santorum in '06.

[bowens43]

1. yes it would be good for the dems.

It's a numbers game.

[The White Tree]

2. What would be better

Would be is we were able to vote out Santorum. After all he is in a Blue state.

[RPM]

11. blue state...

with 2 red senators....

Hmmmmm.

[Joy Anne]

19. we'll be trying in 2006

It's been a topic of conversation among PA Dems. Last time, the DLCer types prevailed, and "our" candidate tried to run to the right of Rick. Pitiful.

[hippiechick]

3. About all we can hope for at this point

Is that the Republican party destroys itself as a result of the 'whacko right' and 'sorta logical conservative' factions grabbing for control.


:hippie:

[JI7]

4. does Spector want to leave office and die knowing he could have

helped save women's right to abortion but did not do it ? it's all about his conscience.

women (and men) of pennsylvania , please let him know what you think.

[enough]

18. Arlen Specter's CONSCIENCE!

Surely you jest.

This is the "independent-minded," "moderate," senator who gave us Clarence Thomas. As a Pennsylvanian who has lived through ALL of Specter's terms in office, I can assure you he has no conscience.

[jdots]

5. i am probably way off on this.

Wasn't it Arlen that came up with the single bullet theory ?

[peekaloo]

8. Yes, he is Mr. Magic Bullet.

[Laelth]

12. No, you're not "way off."

In fact, you're right on. That was Specter's baby, and he's beholden to the Republicans because he knows too much ... can't defect to the Dems. To bad. Sounds like he's getting sane in his old age.

-Laelth

[ozymandius]

17. To defect would relegate him to the minority. He would lose the power

he so steadfastly works to acquire as head of the Senate Judiciary committee.

It is at this point that I concede that Specter is worth more as a Republican than as a Democrat.

BTW - he is not head of the Judiciary committee yet. He is just "on deck". Any politician who sees the goal as committee chairman at hand will say and do anything to reach that goal.

[Mandate My Ass]

6. Sounds like Rove gave Arlen "the talk"

Specter says he won't block abortion foes

By Jennifer C. Kerr
Associated Press


WASHINGTON - Sen. Arlen Specter, the Pennsylvania Republican in line to head the Senate Judiciary Committee, pledged yesterday not to stall the President's judicial nominees even if they oppose abortion rights. The White House expressed confidence its choices would get a fair hearing.

Specter, who supports abortion rights, said he had supported judicial nominees in the past who did not agree with the Supreme Court's 1973 Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion.

Specter says he won't block abortion foes

"The fact is that I have supported all of President Bush's nominees in committee and on the floor. I have never applied a litmus test," Specter said on CBS's Face the Nation.

He added: "Although I am pro-choice, I have supported many pro-life nominees."

Chief political adviser Karl Rove said Specter had assured the President that he would make certain all of Bush's nominees received a prompt hearing and an up-or-down vote by the full Senate.

"Sen. Specter's a man of his word. We'll take him at his word," Rove said on Fox News Sunday.

Last week, Specter said that "judges who would change the right of a woman to choose, overturn Roe v. Wade," probably would face problems in the Senate.

http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/10124725.htm

[Spider Jerusalem]

7. That's a REALLY BAD subject line.

When I read it, I got a mental image of Santorum buggering Specter whilst saying "Who's the man, Arlen, you bitch?"

[nixonwasbetterthanW]

10. uh, it was on purpose ... man-on-dog, dog-on-man, etc. n/t

[snippy]

23. Don't forget Senator on dog sex. n/t

[Danmel]

13. Subject line

I thought the same thing immediately! Santorum must be closeted.

What is the "magic Bullet or single bullet" theory- I must've missed that one.

[Spider Jerusalem]

14. JFK assassination...

theory that 1 bullet accounted for something like five (I think) separate wounds in Kennedy and Governor Connally...Specter was a counsel to the Warren Commission, or some such thing.

[Danmel]

20. Ah- THAT Magic Bullet

I didn't realize Specter has been around that long- how old is he?

it thought there was some other Magic Bullet! Thanks for the clarification.

[LosinIt]

9. Sounds like the caption to a gay porn photo

ewwww, I just grossed myself out

[Dukakis88]

21. I know... I was looking for a video link.

[nixonwasbetterthanW]

15. Moderates need to frame the issue

If the zanies keep the pressure on Specter, the moderates need to frame the issue, with the help of Chafee, Snowe, etc., that the "big tent" Republican Party is no such thing. I don't know how loyal Specter has been to the non-loonies on his side of the aisle, but my guess is that this may be where they need to draw the line if they are to earn any respect at all for the next two years.

There's been a boatload of nonsense forced through the portals of media misinformation that the GOP allowed Giuliani, who's pro-choice, to speak at their convention, while pro-life Gov. Bob Casey of Pa. was always muzzled by the Democrats. Huge difference, of course, was that Giuliani never mentioned the issue in his speech, while abortion was to be the front-and-center focus of Casey's talk.

If Dobson and Falwell and Robertson win this round, we will see whether Pennsylvania moderates were right to send Specter back for a fifth term.

[Magginkat]

16. Suggestion

WE should make a list of all the Republicans who may still be "real" republicans and write, phone, fax them on a regular basis encouraging them to vote Democratic or even to switch parties.

I've read that we are going to see a revolution within the current 'repugnant' party in the near future. We should aid and abett this revolution!

Lincoln Chafee comes to mind as does Susan Collins

Anyone who would like to participate in this effort please let me know at [e-mail]

WE need to work on every way that we can to make their lives miserable!
www.GranniesAgainstGeorge.us
www.iAmMagginkat.com
www.ProudLiberalBitch.com

[RPM]

22. ugh

Awful, awful mental picture - santorum on specter.....

[UpsideDownFlag]

24. interesting, ah, choice of words. nt

[ClassWarrior]

25. It's all kabuki theater...

The corporate GOP manipulators never, ever plan to ANYTHING about abortion. It's red meat for the masses. If they repealed Roe vs. Wade, they wouldn't have an issue to use to rally the troops. It's not about winning or losing, it's all about the fight. The want to keep us fighting with them over this, because that'll distract us from their filling their pockets with our blood, sweat, and cash.

NGU.

[MountainLaurel]

26. Oh Sweet Jeebus.

Must scrub my brain to remove THAT image.