Specter is no Chaffee on judicial appointments. Specter owes Bush big time, Chaffee does not. Specter will get the Bush appointees through the committee and successfully confirmed. The GOP caucus will insist upon it.
So Specter wants to be seen as an independent player -- fine -- let him. Who cares. He likes the limelight. Fine. Getting the judges confirmed is what matters.
That task will be easier without Specter as chair.