Republicans Slam Toomey and National Review - Fight Back

Spineless Republicans ^ | Today | Mark Harris

[GOPMark]

Please write to Frist, the NRSC, and others to protest this absurdity. I am including what I worte but would urge eveyone to write their outrage too, only if Bush and others realize how STUPID this is and how angry the grassroots are will this insanity end.

--Text of my letter--- Dear Sir, As a Republican activist, donor, and volunteer, I must express my outrage at the letter that Republican leadership made public decrying the National Review's article about Specter's leadership. Clearly, the grassroots of the party is something the Republican party no longer values. I pledge to not donate to another establishment Republican, including Bush, until this situation is rectified and the national party quits working to make life worse for Pennsylvania. I hope that common sense eventually prevails and Toomey ousts Specter. Sincerely, Mark Harris

Here is the "letter" the leadership sent: ------------ From the perspective of being the Republican Majority Leaders during Senator Arlen Specter's service in the U.S. Senate, we can vouch that during our respective tenures, that he is a team player and one of the best Senators in promoting Republican values and policies.

Senator Trent Lott has confirmed that the National Review story is false in accusing Senator Specter of signing off on an Appropriations bill in exchange for Senator Lott's attending two fund raisers in Pennsylvania. Nothing like that ever happened. Similarly, the National Review was factually incorrect in stating Senator Specter "...forced the Judiciary Committee to send the nomination of Leon Holmes to the Senate floor without a recommendation."

Two Republican Majority Leaders, Senator Frist and Senator Lott, have appointed Senator Specter to serve on the "Republican Leadership Team" because his centrist approach has helped to avoid partisan gridlock on key issues.

The fact that Senator Arlen Specter does not always follow the party line gave him special credibility when he went to Tallahassee Florida after the 2000 Presidential election, at then-Gov Bush's request, to support our party’s constitutional position on the recount. Similarly, his professional standing as a prosecutor was specially helpful to President Bush's 1988 election victory in exposing Gov Dukakis' flawed furlough program.

Facing a tough reelection campaign in 1992, Senator Specter took on the controversial assignment of questioning Professor Anita Hill at Senator Dole's request which almost cost him his Senate seat; but Justice Clarence Thomas was confirmed.

As the National Review concedes, quoting an unnamed former senate staffer: " if there is a tough debate going on, you definitely want Specter on your side".

Sincerely,

Bill Frist

Republican Leader, 2002-Present

Trent Lott

Republican Leader, 1996-2002

Bob Dole

Republican Leader. 1985-1996

Howard Baker

Republican Leader, 1981-1985

-------------------------

[Cyber Liberty]

As the National Review concedes, quoting an unnamed former senate staffer: " if there is a tough debate going on, you definitely want Specter on your side".

This is primarily because you don't want him behind you. With a knife.

[RetiredArmy]

Two Republican Majority Leaders, Senator Frist and Senator Lott, have appointed Senator Specter to serve on the "Republican Leadership Team" because his centrist approach . . .

Meaning: RINO; Liberal; Votes much the same as a socialist democrat.

[Arthur Wildfire! March]

Specter was also famous for invoking Scottish law during the impeachment trial by voting 'Not proved.' His objection to no witnesses during that joke of a trial, however, was well noted. And Specter spilled the beans on the Lott senate in the 90s by telling the viewers of NET that the GOP leadership wanted to 'weaken but not impeach' President Clinton, which might have been instrumental in opening the door to the Cox Report. His speaking out during the impeachment trial and his warning about the 'weaken but not impeach' strategy also helped undermine the Lott machine, which led to little if any grass roots support when Trent Lott got into to trouble.

Specter is a mixed bag. In a way, I like him.

[Erik Latranyi]

The Republican Party almost ALWAYS supports the incumbent, except in the rarest of cases. Specter is no different.

It is up to US, the grassroots, to support Toomey.

We can do this, if conservatives in PA just get off their butts (especially hunters, shooter, etc) and vote in the primary!

Erik

[Huck]

I hate to say it, but I can see where they are coming from. They are trying to give recognition--and mention specifics--where even a RINO like Spector has come in handy. Clarence Thomas, the Florida debacle, Spector stepped up. Does it mean he shouldn't be replaced with a right wing guy? No. But I can see where they want RINOs to have some incentive for being RINOs because it is better that they are RINOs than if they were Dems. Majority control is hugely important, as Maj. Leaders are well aware. Something tells me this has to do with "getting things done" and the true poltics of politics. Anyway, I can see their point.

[GOPMark]

Arlen's polls are weak, and I think the race will be closer with Hoeffel or Crystle (if he beats Toomey) than most think. I am no Karl Rove, but it seems to me you would want a guy to turn out your conservative base (ie. Toomey) not the guy who will surpress that vote (ie Specter) but who knows.

[votelife]

you're point is on the mark. It's also why I donated to Toomey. Toomey needs to win and if you read the NR article, you'll understand even more.

[ex-snook]

"Two Republican Majority Leaders, Senator Frist and Senator Lott, have appointed Senator Specter to serve on the "Republican Leadership Team" "

Seems the GOP is no longer pro-life. If Specter were pro-racist, the GOP would not put him on the leadership team.

[votelife]

the GOP's platform is pro-life, but it's leaders seem to hate the issue. I don't know why, it's a winning issue. Bush is pretty low key on it but generally he comes done on the life side. The GOP senators are so squishy though, they're afraid to scare Chaffee and Specter.

[ex-snook]

"the GOP's platform is pro-life,"

I think Dole started the trend of not reading the platform written by the grass roots of the party. I don't know if Bush ever claimed to read it or claimed to follow it. However, agreement with the platform does not seem to be a bar to leadership appointments.

[Taxman]

Thought: The Republican Party has captured the US Government. Unfortunately, the Republican Party is mostly run by Big Government RINOS.

Further thought: Since the Republican Party has control of the US Government, all we "get the government out of my wallet and off my back" Republicans have to do is capture the Republican Party.

A Toomey victory is essential if we are to obtain that result.

Lets Roll!

GO TOOMEY!