So did Specter for all the insults about him on the Board.
Arlen's silence is totally consistent and explainable. If the filibuster rule had been changed, it would have made Arlen Specter the most powerful man in the Senate regarding the judiciary. He then becomes in fact what he has always fancied himself....the last best hope to protect the nation against those nasty extremist Conservatives. He either wouldn't schedule votes or he'd just have some fellow RINOs place holds on whichever nominee he doesn't personally approve. So it was always my guess that he'd hold his nose and vote to change the rule and then sit back and gloat.