Priority 1: Remove Specter from the Judiciary (Final)

11-19-04 | Always Right

[Always Right]

Updates:

11-19 Update:  By now you are all aware the Specter has the support of the nine current GOP members of the Judiciary Committee which will be more than enough to secure his position as Chairman.  I know many of you are disappointed and perhaps angry at the loss, but don't be.  This battle was not about Specter being chairman, this battle was about laying the groundwork so that good legislation would get pass and conservative judicial nominees would get confirmed.  From that perspective, I think we scored huge and important victories:

1. The Senate is on Notice.  Senator Graham noted that he received more calls on this than any issue since Clinton's impeachment.  Reports from other Senator offices note the same.  We have been heard loud and clear.

2.  Specter has been Neutered.  With Specter's statements and promises to every GOP Senator and to the public, it will be very difficult and politically impossible for Specter to unilaterally bottle up legislation or shelf judicial nominees.  If Specter goes back on his word, there will be enormous outrage and sufficient cause to remove him from the judiciary.  Who Chairs each committee and which members serve on each committee is determine by majority party rules, so there are solutions to Specter should he should become a problem.

3.  New Judiciary Members will be Conservative.  I think I am extremely safe in saying that the one or two additional GOP appointment to the Judiciary Panel will be conservative.  If Frist and Santorum mess this up, they deserved to be shot and killed on the spot.

4.  'Nuclear Option' is Viable.  My feeling was that the Senate had never really considered this as a viable option, but now I have heard numerous Senators, including Frisk, talk about changing the Senate cloture rules.  The so-called 'nuclear option'  would limit the use of filibusters to legislation only, so filibusters could not be used against judicial nominations.  This is an extremely positive development and will only require 51 votes.  The biggest disappointment is that Frist may only resort to this on Supreme Court nominees.  We need this option alive for all nominees.

5.  We still have 55 GOP Senators.  So we have extracted our pound of flesh from Specter and we have focused the Senate on getting judges confirmed, all while keeping our Senate majority firmly in tact.  Sure there are 3-4 RINOs and few other unreliables, but we made our point and haven't really lost anything. 

I know there are many naysayers out there who believe Republican Senators are a bunch of spineless wimps, which is true to an extent.  However, I really think this effort has empowered conservative Senators to act conservative.  So before everyone condemns the Senate, don't do so prematurely.  Let's judge the real results, the judges and the legislation.  I am very optimistic that we may have apparently lost this battle, but are on the way to winning the war.  In the end, this may have been the best possible outcome.

So let's remember folks, we control the White House, the House of Representatives, and well, we are working on the  Senate.  But this is the best position conservatives have ever been in.  So let's not get all negative and doom and gloom.  Let's get busy.

Allies:

Thomas Sowell, Laura Ingraham, Grassroots.PA, Coalition for a Fair Judiciary, Stop Specter Now!, National Right to Life Committee, NRO - The Corner, The Conservative Voice, Focus on the Family

Confused Conservatives:

Hugh Hewitt

Petitions on the Web:

We Want a Strong Leader on the Senate Judiciary Committee - GOPUSA

"New Pro-Abortion Senate Judiciary Chair?" - Voices Heard

Arlen Specter MUST NOT become Chairman of the Judiciary Committee. - nospecter

Pull chair out from under RINO Arlen Specter - Conservative Petitions

 Petition to Republican Senators Opposing the Election of Senator Arlen Specter - AFA

THE FAIR JUDICIARY OATH - Coalition for Fair Judiciary

On-line Petition - gopwing.com

Latest News Stories:

NEW! Specter Effectively Wins Senate Judiciary Chair - Reuters 11-18-04

NEW! Republicans on Senate Judiciary Panel Endorse Specter as Chair Bloomberg 11-18-04

NEW! Specter secures judiciary chairmanship after issuing statement The Philadelphia Inquirer 11-18-04

Pro-choice Specter faces GOP test Chicago Trib 11-15

Frist withholds Specter support Washington Times, 11-15

NY Times: Frist Sees Hurdles for Specter NYT 11-14

For Specter, a Showdown Over Judiciary Chairmanship Washington Post 11-14

The Specter Campaign National Review 11-11

Focus on the Family ups effort to block Specter Rocky Mountain News 11-11

Embattled Specter upset at HRC snub NY Blade 11-12

As Specter seeks a chairmanship, it's payback time for conservatives Phily Inquirer 11-12

An ominous Specter: Part III Thomas Sowell 11-12

Specter's voting record Washington Times, 11-11

Specter asks to appeal to peers  AP via Washington Times 11-11

Specter sees 'a battle for balance in the Republican Party' Philly Inquirer 11-11

An ominous Specter: Part II Thomas Sowell 11-10

Specter Seeks Meeting with Fellow Republicans  - Reuters 11-10

An ominous Specter - Thomas Sowell 11-10

Specter Still Not in the Clear - Fox News 11-9

Spat over Specter may be subsiding - Pittsburg Post-Gazette 11-9

Conservatives target Specter - Washington Times 11-9

 GOP Senators Struggle with Specter Chairmanship Focus on the Family 11-9

 Under Fire, Specter Gets Only Tepid White House Support NY Times 11-9

Why the Specter flap matters - Boston Globe 11-9

The Left's View on Specter - Limbaugh 11-9

Specter Campaign Crumbling - Human Events 11-8

Senate Chairmanship in Question for Specter - NPR 11-8

Specter blunders on Roe vs. Wade - Chicago Tribune (Novak) 11-8

Specter Opponents Pressing Senate Leaders - AP 11-8

A Specter of Trouble - OpinionEditorials 11-8

Specter: "I not only voted against Bork, I led the charge aGrassroots PAgainst him." - Grassroots.PA 11-7

Specter says he won't slow anti-abortion court nominees - CNN 11-7

Arlen Specter - "Bork" Him - Intellectual Conservative 11-6

Judges Following No Law (why Arlen Specter must go) - ****Robert Bork, 8-12-04

Keep Arlen Specter off chair of Judiciary Committee! - WND 11-6

Who's spinning? Specter or reporter? - WND 11-5

All eyes on Sen. Specter - Washington Times 11-5

Conservative wing raises fuss over Specter's views - New York Times 11-5

Specter faces battle for Judiciary chair - Washington Times 11-5

Sen. Specter Ignites Firestorm of Opposition - NewsMax 11-5

Suffering Specter - Pittsburg Tribune Review 11-5

Specter's Remarks Trigger Protest - Focus on the Family 11-5

Lawmaker wants Grassley on judiciary panel - Des Moines Register 11-5

Specter 'Borked' Himself from Senate Judiciary Committee - Concerned Women for America 11-5

Pro-Life Pray-In Planned to Stop Specter - CNSNEWS 11-5

Will Specter Chair Judiciary? - Human Events 11-5

Thank You, Arlen - National Review 11-3

GOP Sen. Specter Vows to Block Bush's Nominees - NewsMax 10-29

The Northeastern Liberal (Kerry and Specter, two peas in a pod.) - Evan-Novak 3-11-04

Background:

Actual Transcript of News Conference Wherein Specter Threatens Bush's Judicial Nominees

Specter's "Clarification" of his Threats to Pres. Bush's Judicial Nominees

Another Soros Specter Connection (The Bush-Soros Pick)

SPECTER SLAMS CONSERVATIVES IN CAMPAIGN LETTER, ATTACKS PRO-LIFERS, CHRISTIANS

Senate Judiciary Committee .

Contact Information:

Bill Frist:  E-mail:  senator.frist@senate.gov
461 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING
WASHINGTON DC 20510
PHONE: (202) 224-3344
Web Form (Email his office): http://www.frist.senate.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=AboutSenatorFrist.ContactForm

Contact Information for all Senators

Sen. Orrin Hatch, UT, current Committee Chair PH: 202-224-5251 FX: 202-224-6331

Sen. Jon Kyl, AZ PH: 202-224-4521 FX: 202-224-2207

Sen. John Cornyn, TX PH: 202-224-2934 FX: 202-228-2856

Sen. Charles Grassley, IA PH: 202-224-3744 FX: 319-363-7179

Sen. Mike DeWine, OH PH: 202-224-2315 FX: 202-224-6519

Sen. Jeff Sessions, AL PH: 202-224-4124 FX: 202-224-3149

Sen. Lindsey Graham, SC PH: 202-224-5972 FX: 202-224-3808

Sen. Larry Craig, ID PH: 202-224-2752 FX: 202-228-1067

Sen. Saxby Chambliss, GA PH: 202-224-3521 FX: 202-224-0103

Homepages of Judiciary Committe Members:

Orrin Hatch   Chuck Grassley     Jon Kyl    Mike DeWine    Jeff Sessions     Lindsey Graham    Larry Craig    Saxby Chambliss    John Cornyn    Arlen Specter

Media Contacts:
Special@foxnews.com; rush@eibnet.com; hannity@foxnews.com; editor@weeklystandard.com; beltwayboys@foxnews.com; tblankley@washingtontimes.com; jmccaslin@washingtontimes.com; gpierce@washingtontimes.com; jseper@washingtontimes.com; Templar119@aol.com; malkin@comcast.net; letters@charleskrauthammer.com; ben@cspc.org; adams_mike@hotmail.com; ballen@t3energy.com; greg@therightbalance.org; VAlpher@aol.com; friends@atr.org; ruddy@spectator.org; editor@spectator.org; rjbacak@sbcglobal.net; online.editors@barrons.com; me@glennbeck.com; carol@carolbernhard.com; jennifer.biddison@heritage.org; kotta@foxnews.com; briankbodine@yahoo.com; jimbohannon@1050wevd.com; JeffBolton@woai.com; wackerma@bowdoin.edu; chrisb@unt.edu; erniebrown@americaatnight.com; bucc@bucknellconservatives.org; calpundit@cox.net; chairman@cyr.org; joshcampbell@mail.utexas.edu; info@capitolhillblue.com; castellanopj@earthlink.net; charles@littlegreenfootballs.com; bobcole@clearchannel.com; cn@isi.org; letters@commentarymagazine.com; lauren.conner@bba02.bus.utexas.edu; dj@flipsideshow.com; copleyd@wharton.upenn.edu; tom@anncoulter.org; info@collegegop.org; cugop@colorado.edu; crider@mail.utexas.edu;
hill2@cp.chemeketa.edu; j0annaz@yahoo.com; rcuster@yaf.org; pundit@dailypundit.com; lukerval@hotmail.com; davidson@collegegop.org; txtau@yahoo.com; holiday.dmitri@foxnews.com; sara@studentsforacademicfreedom.org; larry@larryelder.com; tpelia@yahoo.com; elizabeth@cspc.org; cfennell@ucsd.edu; mfinch@cspc.org; sarahfloerke@mail.com; rforest@ev1.net; rachelzfriedman@yahoo.com; mike@mikeonline.com; cdganske@yahoo.com; bubbgarcia@yahoo.com; ggermany@austin.rr.com; presACG@aol.com; lynn.gibson@heritage.org; giselarm@san.rr.com; jglazov@rogers.com; fgonzalez@isi.org; opeds@gopusa.com; redshift_7@yahoo.com; MJGriffing@hotmail.com; frn@freeper.org; bac@compuserve.com; michaelh@ductape.net; Hannity@aol.com; khart@crnc.org; johnhawkins@rightwingnews.com; roger@rogerhedgecock.com; jchenry_628@mail.utexas.edu; hhewitt@hughhewitt.com; holco004@mailhost1.csusm.edu; suggestions@lauraingraham.com; pundit@instapundit.com; feedback@intellectualconservative.com; Rollye@rollye.net; calidawl217@yahoo.com; niucrchair@yahoo.com; amw@judgemendozawaterhouse.com; rdj@mail.utexas.edu; gk3385@yahoo.com; kfir@protestwarrior.com; kinghorn1836@yahoo.com; becky@becky4congress.com; pklinkne@hamilton.edu; dks@wava.com; comments.kurtz@nationalreview.com; JCL159522@yahoo.com; lars@larslarson.com; mark@marklarson.com; jleo@usnews.com; binghamtonreview@yahoo.com
 

Previous Threads:

Priority 1: Remove Specter from Judiciary (Thread 1)

Priority 1: Remove Specter from the Judciary (Day 2)

Priority 1: Remove Specter from the Judiciary (Day 3)

Priority 1: Remove Specter from the Judiciary (Day 4)

Priority 1: Remove Specter from the Judiciary (Day 5)

Priority 1:  Remove Specter from the Judiciary (Day 6)

Priority 1:  Remove Specter from the Judiciary (Day 7)

Priority 1:  Remove Specter from the Judiciary (Day 8)

Priority 1:  Remove Specter from the Judiciary (Day 9)

Priority 1: Remove Specter from the Judiciary (Days 10-12)

Priority 1: Remove Specter from the Judiciary (Day 13)

[bayourod]

In supporting Specter my Republican Judiciary Committee member has unquestionably gone against the overwhelming majority of his constituents.

Am I wrong to at least expect him to give us an explanation and some degree of personal assurance that he will assume responsibility if Specter fails to get our nominees confirmed?

[Always Right]

Am I wrong to at least expect him to give us an explanation and some degree of personal assurance that he will assume responsibility if Specter fails to get our nominees confirmed?

Nope, he should justify his position and take responsibility for it. You should call his office and ask the Senator to publicly explain his position so he is on record. Tell them you are disappointed with his decision, but be polite and ask for a public explaination.

[Nephi]

I agree with your assessment. Now, if only conservatives would coalesce around candidates the same way, it would have a similar impact. This will become extremely important when the globalists try to impose Rudy or McCain on us when Hillary runs in '08.

[Always Right]

This will become extremely important when the globalists try to impose Rudy or McCain on us when Hillary runs in '08.

I am very concerned with the way McCain and Hillary are positioning themselves, it could very well come down to a race between those two phonies. I would take Rudy over McCain, just because I think Rudy is genuine and McCain is unstable eventhough McCain has a more conservative background. As of now, 2008 does not look good for getting a conservative into the White House. Can we somehow reincarnate Dan Quayle from his political death?

[Nephi]

I will vote third party before I will vote for a liberal like Rudy for president.

[stylin19a]

Hope it IS the final post on this. That means specter is doing the job. Bookmarked...just in case.

thanx again...great effort.

[Ed_in_NJ]

Excellent campaign and summary!

[Capitalism2003]

I think we scared the you know what out of Specter. He won't be putting up much resistance to conservative appointments now. If he wants to keep his seat next election, he will support the President.

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

It was fun while it lasted...

[Always Right]

I think we scared the you know what out of Specter. He won't be putting up much resistance to conservative appointments now. If he wants to keep his seat next election, he will support the President.

Specter will be somewhat a good soldier for the next couple of years. But Specter is getting old and I don't think he is too concerned with next election. The biggest problem with letting Specter be chairmen, will be in years 2-4. This fiasco will be forgotten and Specter will be himself agian.

[Always Right]

It was fun while it lasted...

Don't worry, soon we will be worried about real issues and real appointments. That is when the real fun will begin.

[TheCornerOffice]

I really hope your correct, but Chambliss has lost any future vote from me in any case. I'll not vote for Frist either.

You don't vote in two different states, do you, as in "I voted in Georgia before I voted in Tennessee"? :-) I assume you mean that if you happen to live in either of those states when either of them are running...they won't get your vote.

[Mamzelle]

Why keep Specter? Because getting rid of him also might have consequences. Just because we've got a majority...doesn't mean we've got a majority.

Specter is a particularly vain and preening little strut of a Senate rooster. Outrage his ego by denying him a traditional perk, and he might be able to do more damage off the chair than on it.

Politics is generally just surviving the lesser of two evils. Conservatives, and I am one, don't believe in perfectability, just endurability.

[jmc813]

Thanks for these threads every day.

Confused Conservatives: Hugh Hewitt

I still wish you'd not refer to Hewitt as a conservative, as he is not.

[Always Right]

I still wish you'd not refer to Hewitt as a conservative, as he is not.

I really don't know Hewitt that well. I know some people call O'Reilly a conservative, so I know the label is thrown around loosely. I do know that he was confused on this subject. We may have come up short on this fight, but we did good. We damaged Specter some, we got the attention of every GOP Senator, and important issues were brought to the front burner. Overall, the effect of the campaign was positive although not as positive as it could have been.

[Always Right]

Thanks.

[Prolifeconservative]

"If Frist and Santorum mess this up, they deserved to be shot and killed on the spot."

I know this is written in mere jest, but could we refraim from using such harsh language. It really is uncalled for!!

WE are champions for LIFE and the above statement, even in mere jest, serves no purpose.

Thanks!

[The_Eaglet]

Pro-Life Campaign Ready to Go to the Mat to Block Specter

[sandalwood]

THANKS FOR YOUR HARD WORK - this fight will not go unnoticed!

What do you think of Bush appointing Pat Toomey to the OMB?

Hopefully the conservatives in PA have been heard!