I'm the biggest Spector hater here, I know all about his history.
I have thought it over, and I have put my faith in Arlen Spector to do the right thing, re: let Bush's nominees come to vote.
Spector will do the right thing if he has the chair.
(This coming from someone who would spit on Spector if I ever met him, people who know me on here know this!)
Our job is to keep the heat on him, and raise expectations if necessary.
Look at it this way: a more conservative chair would operate under a constant, daily assault from the MSM, thus slowing the pace of confirmations. Specter, by contrast, will provide an effective foil for Bush and his nominees.
Strategery.
What is happening here, is that the Senate is closing ranks in the face of special interest interference. They, the Senators believe that it would be perceived badly if they cave.
It was written on the wall in bold marker before this began and is playing out as I suspected.
All in all, Specter has been warned, and in politics a wounded politician is not a good thing, but I have faith that they can keep him in line.
Reality bites, but this mess must come to a conclusion where everyone feels like they won. That is politics.
So it is written.
Mt friend, I agree with you. While I'm NOT happy, I do believe that Santorum merits the benefits of our collective doubts. Yes, we can indded rationalize this, sayig that Specter has boxed himself in, and thus, having Arlen as point person may give some Dems "cover" to vote for the president's nominees.<P. One point to rememebr.. I assime that the nomination for the new AH will be the first on the committe calendar..How he does with THAT one will be important..
I'm curious, why do you believe this? I only ask because you seem to hate Specter, so for you to say that, seems like you know something.
That, and two bucks will get you a cuppa coffee.
Why do you believe this? Specter will not run for relection and he has an agenda. So why would he possibly do the right thing now when he hasn't before? I would love to believe what you're saying, but I see no logical reason to. Unfortunately.
Wishful thinking, Josh. You are wrong.
I doubt that..............( The hating part, that is..)
Spector has done alot of things in the past to create serious concerns about his ethics but I also know that I have come to trust GW's instincts...he doesnt make foolish choices. I think the President has either got personal assurances from Spector or assurances from people he really trusts that Spector is the one likely to forge the presidents judges through to at least a vote on the floor which is where the Senate majority can have its true effect.
Whew a long winded sentence, Rush Limbaugh has pointed out that Spector may have been "using the press" to dampen the Liberals fears and thus have some freedom to garner enough Demorat agreement to avoid having to go "nuclear" to end the fillibuster threats.
I don't know enough of Santorum, other than his strong opposition to the Scotus decision on behalf of those two caught in the act of sodomy in Texas...but I DO TRUST the Presidents discernment in who he chooses to endorse.