Specter Refusing to go "Nuclear" on Judges (Rino Alert)

Townhall.com ^ | 5/10/03 | Novak

[double_down]

FORCING MAJORITY RULE

Sen. Ted Stevens of Alaska, the 79-year-old president pro tem and senior Republican in the Senate, has been a tiger in closed-door Republican meetings urging an effort to rule filibusters against judicial nominees out of order so that a simple majority of 51 votes would be sufficient for confirmation.

Freshman Sen. Jim Talent of Missouri has made public the 51-vote plan, but Stevens has led the way inside the GOP conference. However, all 51 Republicans are not yet on board for this plan.

Sen. Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania, facing a conservative primary election challenge this year, may be one of the Republican holdouts. He is privately pleading with Democrats to end the filibusters so that Republicans will not attempt an effort that would put Specter on the spot.

Earlier reports indicated it was the old bulls (like Stevens) in the senate that opposed the nuclear option. Of course, we should have known it was Specter (D-PA). I hate to support a primary challenge against an incumbent senator, but I am not going to support Specter any longer. We cannot afford to have this guy running the judiciary committee in 2005. He would be as much of an obstructionist as Daschle and Schumer.

[b4its2late]

Sen. Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania, facing a conservative primary election challenge this year, may be one of the Republican holdouts. He is privately pleading with Democrats to end the filibusters so that Republicans will not attempt an effort that would put Specter on the spot.

Wuss. He'll probably be more likely to be voted out if he shows he has no caljones (or however it's spelled....).

[Larry Lucido]

What does Scottish law say about this?

[OneVike]

I find this hard to beleive, just the other day he was interviewd by John Scott of FOX news and Arlen was the first one I heard talk about the need to nuke the dems. Very questionable, first it was reported that the older Republicans were against it, now we hear that Arlen is. I need more information, too many news stories have been coming out about division in the Republican party.

[PeoplesRep_of_LA]

I don't live in PA, but how to I contribute money to the campaign of the conservative Republican primary challenger to Arlen Specter?

I'm serious.

[Nam Vet]

The old woman Specter is just having trouble finding a sleazy way out under Scottish Law again.

Nam Vet

[ex-snook]

"I don't live in PA, but how to I contribute money to the campaign of the conservative Republican primary challenger to Arlen Specter? I'm serious. "

I do. Fat chance of PA Republicans dumping Specter. They didn't even support a conservative challenger to Greenwood who is many shades worse than Specter.

The only thing that will get into Specter's mind is if the Democrats put up pro-life Casey to oppose him. Not likely though because the Democrats see Specter as one of their own.

[SauronOfMordor]

Specter also voted in favor of Clinton's 1994 "Assault Weapon Ban", besides voting against Clinton's impeachement. He's scum. He need to go

His challenger is Rep. Patrick Toomey (R-PA)

[PeoplesRep_of_LA]

You sound as bitter as a liberal. Specter is a joke outside of your state, don't be so pessemistic. Since you do live there, you need to get politically involved with the primary challenger. There will be one, I've heard Specter was vunerable in the primary months ago, and the guy he will get some attention.

The time has past for the silent majority conservatives to keep hoping the other guy will stand up for what is right.

[PeoplesRep_of_LA]

His challenger is Rep. Patrick Toomey (R-PA)

I knew I could count on the industriousness of FReepers, good work.

Toomey for Senate!

[Just mythoughts]

So is Toomey a viable candidate, does he want the job, is he really willing to take on old Spec-tor?

Anyway to start a ground-swell now against the old "leftist"?

Maybe we citizens of the other 49, could start a letter writing campaign to the good citizens of Pennsylvania how important it is to turn this guy out of office.

[TRY ONE]

Sen. Arlen Specter ----


Rememember, a Republican above the Mason Dixon line is a "moderate" Democrat.

A DemocRAT below the Mason Dixon line is a "moderate" PUBBIE.

[Badray]

YES! YES! And YES! to all your questions. Toomey has a strong conservative voting record in the House and he is agressively going after Arlen. He has won reelection in a district that is not particularly conservative by being honest and forthright. He was a successful business man before running for the House. He promised 3 terms and he is sticking to his promise. There is a lot of grass roots support for him. We want rid of Arlen and this is our best chance to do it.

[PeoplesRep_of_LA]

Rememember, a Republican above the Mason Dixon line is a "moderate" Democrat. A DemocRAT below the Mason Dixon line is a "moderate" PUBBIE.

A gross generalization, even the moderate southern Dems vote lockstep on Party lines.

Candidates should and must be judged as individuals based on voting records and past statements.

That is why I am against Specter, the quiet puppetmaster of Snow, Vonavich et al. Toomey for Senate.

[Just mythoughts]

Thank you, good news.

Since the old Specter's votes and refusing to abide by our own Constitution, affects the citizens of the other 49, maybe we other citizens can be of help in spreading the good word about the need for a change. Mr. Toomey has credibility to do the job. Any ideas? I don't believe it is toooooo soon to start planting seeds.

It is not going to be easy to remove that cement block Specter.

[jagrmeister]

Uptil now I have been supportive of Specter. If he doesn't change his tune, he should here it from the base and be sent into early retirement.

[RWCon]

Specter: Another neocon.

[jammer]

He also was obstructionist in the Waco and Ruby Ridge hearings, while pretending to be oh, so concerned.

[byteback]

Specter: Another neocon.

Hey! Pass the joint!

[steve50]

Specter: Another neocon

That's about all we have in the party anymore.

[cars for sale]

tell us again about that "special bullet"
there senator......you already sold your soul

[auggy]

"Wuss. He'll probably be more likely to be voted out if he shows he has no caljones (or however it's spelled....)."

N-U-T-S

[Cicero]

Arlen Specter has done one good thing in his life: he supported Clarence Thomas during the nomination hearings, under the mistaken impression that blacks would applaud his efforts.

But he quickly repented after NOW rapped his knuckles and has done nothing good since.

[freeangel]

My feeling is that because this is an unprecedented move, Arlen and a few of his cronies are getting cold feet about upping the ante in this game with the dems. Someone needs to tell him that they would use this maneuver in a heartbeat if they were smart enough to figure it out. They made the first move with these ridiculous filibusters.

[TomGuy]

It is mindboggling.

The Dems never had a problem ruling with a +1 majority.

The Pubs can't. [or don't know how.] Why even bother to vote for them in the election? How much of a majority do they think they need? Geez....they are PATHETIC as the majority.

[gcruse]

I've pretty well stopped supporting Novak, but I'm with him on this. The only question is, will Pennsylvania elect a nonliberal Republican to the Senate?

[TLBSHOW]

This is another reason that the REPUBLICANS need their feet held to the FIRE but GOOD...

ya just never know when they will vote with the liberal commie democrats.

or as Rush says IDIOT SENATE REPUBLICANS....

[gcruse]

If I read all the way to the bottom of every thread before I posted, I'd probably never post. While some would welcome that, I'd get bored of FR real quick.

[A-teamMom]

Specter is very pro-choice.

[VRWC_minion]

Moderate republicans= Hillary has the FBI file.

[PeoplesRep_of_LA]

The only question is, will Pennsylvania elect a nonliberal Republican to the Senate?

Come one, who is PA's other Senator? Don't sell PA short. Specter is just entrenched with pork spending, but otherwise an embarrassment to all involved. He's the GOP's Robert Byrd. With alittle backbone in the next election, Arlen's history.

[gcruse]

I've heard of him. Didn't know he was from Pennsylvania. Thanks for the info.

[OneVike]

Someone needs to tell him that they would use this maneuver in a heartbeat if they were smart enough to figure it out

Good point.

I am always confused with Arlen Specter, He is the Senator that nailed Annita Hill for lying. Then he turns around and votes for Clintoon at the Impeachment trial. A very, very confused man.

That being said, I too beleive it is long past that Ira Ienholders (spelling?)lawyer is voted out of office.

[ForOurFuture]

Replacing RINOs with electable conservatives is one of FreeRepublic's primary focuses. Freepers should put their money where their mouth is and support Pat Toomey. If he gets enough campaign cash and runs an aggressive campaign listing off Specter's liberal votes, I think he's got a decent chance. As for electability in the general election, if PA can elect a Republican as conservative as Santorum, why not Toomey?

Toomey for PA Senate!

[double_down]

Specter has not committed to support Kuhl for the 9th circuit because she appears to be pro-life. He also would not support the district court nominee from Arkansas (holmes) because of his position on abortion. If re-elected, Specter will be the judicaiary committee chairman replacing Hatch. The repubs might as well turn the gavel over to Leahy.

Specter must go.

[OneVike]

You make very good points, and I must whole-heartedly agree with you.

[Catspaw]

I wondered if any Republican senators would vote against this. Specter sounds like he would. I wonder if there are any more out there.

[Catspaw]

It's Ira Einhorn, nicknamed the Unicorn killer. He murdered Holly Maddux. When he was finally brought back from France, he was tried again for the time, convicted and is now doing his time.

[Prince Charles]

Sen. Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania, facing a conservative primary election challenge this year, may be one of the Republican holdouts. He is privately pleading with Democrats to end the filibusters so that Republicans will not attempt an effort that would put Specter on the spot.

Does Scottish law speak to this problem at all?

[88keys]

"My feeling is that because this is an unprecedented move, Arlen and a few of his cronies are getting cold feet about upping the ante in this game with the dems. Someone needs to tell him that they would use this maneuver in a heartbeat if they were smart enough to figure it out. They made the first move with these ridiculous filibusters."

I think you're right on with that observation...and while Sen. Santorum doesn't seem to give undue attention to the East PA/Philadelphia "liberal contingent", Sen. Spector certainly does appear to...maybe 'cause it's closer to Scotland?! heheHE!

Here in Ohio, I still haven't figured out what Sen. Voinovich is up to, except he's generally been reliable up until now...another case of "cold feet", or maybe "old feet"?! We have sent him an e-mail about his position regarding the tax package, and trust there's nothing sinister in his sudden manic "deficit hawk" behaviour...Cleveland proper (as compared to the 'burbs where we live) could benefit a lot from some plain old "fly-over country" common sense!!!

[Grut]

Geez....they are PATHETIC as the majority.

Steady! Loose characterizations like this will leave us with no word to use when they're in the minority again.

[OneVike]

Thank you.

As I recall Specter dropped him as a client when he decided to run for the Senate, which he eventualy won. Wouldn't want to look like he supported criminals, that are not named Clinton.

Makes one wonder if he would still drop him as a client or defend him considering his current political leanings?

[Calvinist_Dark_Lord]

As for electability in the general election, if PA can elect a Republican as conservative as Santorum, why not Toomey?

Because RINOs who happen to be either influential, such as Richard Mellon Scaife (pro abortion), and National Commitee women, such as Elsie Hillman (Republican pro choice activist who has actually endorused democarats over Pro life Republicans) will never permit it to happen. The Republican Party in Pennsylvania LOVES bending over for the democrats.

[Rensselaer]

Rememember, a Republican above the Mason Dixon line is a "moderate" Democrat.

Ah, you mean like Rick Santorum?

A DemocRAT below the Mason Dixon line is a "moderate" PUBBIE.

Ah, you mean like John Edwards and Mary Landrieu?

[Rensselaer]

I think it's smart to use extreme caution here. Look, the Republicans aren't going to control the Senate forever. Over the years, we have won many victories thanks to the filibuster.

Yes, it is very frustrating, but the Democrats are paying, and will pay at the polls next year, a price. Meanwhile, we are getting conservative judges through to the courts of appeals - people like Tymkovich, Sutton, Cook, Bybee, and McConnell are as sound as you can get.

We are winning this war, slowly but surely. Going nuclear is not necessarily the best option.

[Rensselaer]

Because RINOs who happen to be either influential, such as Richard Mellon Scaife

Har har! Scaife a "RINO." Let's get serious here. The term RINO no longer means a thing if Scaife is a RINO. Calling him a RINO would be more or less like calling Dennis Kucinich a DINO because of his pro-life position (yes, I know he changed it a few weeks back to run for president). Let's be more honest - Scaife is a pro-abortion Republican. There are lots of pro-abortion Republicans. If we call everyone who disagrees on a single issue a RINO, then assuredly the "true" Republican Party is a very small party, indeed.