Hatch Gives Up Judiciary Chairmanship

Focus on the Family ^ | 12/18/2003 | Keith Peters

[ZGuy]

Pro-family groups are concerned about his replacement — pro-abortion Republican Arlen Specter.

Utah's Orrin Hatch is stepping down as chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. His replacement? Pennsylvania's Arlen Specter, a liberal, pro-abortion Republican.

Pro-family groups like the Family Research Council (FRC) call Specter's impending leadership of the committee "a dark cloud."

"Senator Specter has repeatedly said that he does not support any effort to overturn Roe v. Wade and would only support (judicial) nominees who support Roe v. Wade as good law," said Jayd Henricks, an FRC spokesman.

Steve Crampton, director of the American Family Association's Center for Law and Policy, said he is concerned that a man with a pro-homosexual, pro-abortion voting record will be in the driver's seat of a crucial committee.

"(Specter has voted) in favor of prohibiting job discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation; he has voted against a ban on abortions taking places on military bases," Crampton said. "The man's record speaks for itself on these issues."

Henricks said that with one or two retirements expected on the Supreme Court in the next few years, it may be tough for conservative nominees to get a fair hearing with Specter at the helm.

"Having a senator who does not support the president on life (issues), (who doesn't) support our issue on marriage, is going to prove to be very problematic," he explained. "It's reason to be very concerned."

[deport]

From days past...........

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Stop This Man - Don't let Arlen Specter become chairman of the Judiciary Committee ~ WSJ. ^
			Posted by Elle Bee On News/Activism ^ 09/04/2003 1:01:07 AM CDT with 18 comments The Wall Street Journal. ^ | September 4, 2003 | TIMOTHY P. CARNEY September 4, 2003 COMMENTARY Stop This ManBy TIMOTHY P. CARNEYFor all the troubles Senate Democrats have given President Bush and his judicial nominees, things may get worse if he wins a second term. Arlen Specter, a prickly moderate Republican with an independent streak, will become chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee after the 2004 elections -- unless the GOP leadership or Pennsylvania's voters do something about it.Sen. Specter, a perpetual irritant to Washington conservatives, is consistently one of the most liberal votes in the GOP. His demeanor has earned him the name "Snarlin' Arlen," and his record has led...

Will the Liberal Arlen Specter Chair Judiciary Committee in 2005? ^
			Posted by Theodore R. On News/Activism ^ 08/18/2003 8:02:52 PM CDT with 4 comments Human Events Online ^ | 08-18-03 | Carney, Timothy P. Will Specter Chair Judiciary? by Timothy P. Carney Posted Aug 18, 2003 Liberal Sen. Arlen Specter (R.-Pa.) is in line to chair the Senate Judiciary Committee in 2005. This means the confirmation of the next Supreme Court justice could be presided over by a pro-choice senator who holds that Roe v. Wade was correctly decided and who helped sink the Supreme Court nomination of conservative judge Robert Bork. If voters do not oust Specter in next year’s primary or general election, the Judiciary gavel—and control over confirmations to the federal courts—will fall into Specter’s hands unless a few powerful GOP...

[ZGuy]

Thanks deport.

[Bikers4Bush]

Based on recent events the differences between the parties seems only to be identified by which letter is behind their names.

Other than the R or the D you wouldn't always know the difference.

[Fzob]

WHY is definitely the big question. Specter stinks of course, but I get the feeling this bodes that something even stinkier than Specter is at the root of this. (Unless health concerns are the reason.)

[conservatism_IS_compassion]

Spector is forced to demonstrate loyalty before his 2004 election.

At least until the Republican primary in PA next year . . .

[Pagey]

Good, Hatch has been turning on a number of issues. Not the least of which is wanting to allow foreign borns to become president. I don't trust him anymore.

I remember reading that a little while back, that made me verrrrry uneasy. What also bothered me was not one of his fellow Senators bashed him for it. What type of thinking is that??? He's a very little shrimp of a man and I hope it was GWB thaqt told him to step down.

[Verginius Rufus]

Grassley and Specter both entered the Senate in 1981, so they should have equal seniority.

[wny]

On the one hand this is good. Hatch is spinlesee much like Lott. On the other hand, "not proven" Specter is also a loser.

[deport]

Grassley and Specter both entered the Senate in 1981, so they should have equal seniority.

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Maybe true... but what about Committee senority is it the same? I think they also have some other rules about being chairman of committees including limits on number of major committees that one can chair at one time, etc. Grassley chairs the Senate Finance Committee. I don't know when he terms out on it but became chair in Jan. 2001. So I expect he still has some time left.

[Temple Owl]

This is very bad news. We must vote for Toomey.

[Glenn]

This is very bad news. We must vote for Toomey.

You said it all there. Having Scottish Law judges in the federal courts is not an option.

[John Lenin]

And I thought Hatch was weak.

[LisaFab]

Though Hatch ticks me off sometimes, Spector must be defeated in PA.

I went to the 40-hour special Senate session and Hatch was tremendous regarding the use of filibusters against judicial nominations.

[Ann Archy]

Only thing that's good is that i doubt if Scotty Specter will let Teddy and Schucky HUMILIATE him like they did to Orrin.

[savedbygrace]

That was in the House, IIRC.

[NeoCaveman]

Arleen Sphincter now in Charge of Judiciary

What5, you didn't think they were all MODERATES! aka liberals.

[NeoCaveman]

GO TOOMEY!!

The only guy I'm sending any $$ to.

[InterceptPoint]

Looks like we now have to get to 61-39.

[Lancey Howard]

I think there may be some strategery going on here.
Congressman BillyBob says he expects THREE retirements by the end of the current term. It is possible that Arlen has a better rapport with certain scumbags like Leahy, Kennedy, and Shumer than Orrin did. Also, I think maybe Orrin has generally become too familiar and / or less effective. The other Senators don't listen to him anymore.

In any event, this change has a certain 'setting-the-table-for-Supreme-Court-nominations' feel to it. Maybe it is believed by the Bush Administration that nominees will get a fairer shake if "moderate" Arlen Specter is front and center pushing them, especially from a public relations point of view - - after all, Arlen would never support some right-wing extremist, right? This change really comes out of the blue, but I definitely do not see any cause for alarm here. This could work out.

[Republican Wildcat]

We knew this was coming, as Hatch is term-limited out from being judiciary chair and Specter is next in seniority.

Specter's hard core and right on the money...about 45% of the time.