Posted on 11/16/2004 11:05:24 PM PST by JohnHuang2
Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch, the current head of the Senate Judiciary Committee, predicts Arlen Specter will succeed him as chairman of the panel, despite controversy over comments made by the Pennsylvania Republican.
"I'm for Arlen," Hatch said yesterday after emerging from a closed-door meeting with fellow committee Republicans. "I believe he will be a great chairman. ... I expect him to have the support of the committee."
With Specter at his side, Hatch told reporters the Pennsylvanian had broad support among lawmakers.
"Nobody in the meeting was against Arlen," Hatch said. "Senator Specter handled himself very well and frankly, I'm for him, as I should be."
Specter was grateful for Hatch's support, saying, "No chickens have hatched, and I don't count any chickens until they're hatched. But with Hatch beside me, I'm a little less unconfident."
It's the Judiciary Committee which screens White House nominations to the Supreme Court and other posts on the federal bench.
As WorldNetDaily previously reported, controversial remarks by Specter, cautioning President Bush against nominating Supreme Court justices who would overturn the Roe vs. Wade abortion decision, sparked a furious outcry from Bush's large conservative and Evangelical support base, and spawned a movement to ensure he did not ascend to the panel's chairmanship.
In two newspaper interviews before the election, Specter promised to block pro-life and "extremist" judges appointed by Bush, contradicting claims he is making now amid fierce opposition.
A third paper, the Philadelphia Inquirer, endorsed the pro-abortion senator largely because of his anticipated position on the panel.
The current controversy began when the Associated Press quoted Specter saying, "When you talk about judges who would change the right of a woman to choose, overturn Roe vs. Wade, I think that is unlikely. The president is well aware of what happened, when a number of his nominees were sent up, with the filibuster. ... And I would expect the president to be mindful of the considerations which I am mentioning."
After an outburst of outrage from conservative groups, Specter issued a statement Thursday insisting he did not send a warning to Bush.
"I did not warn the president about anything and was very respectful of his constitutional authority on the appointment of federal judges," Specter said.
"As the record shows, I have supported every one of President Bush's nominees in the Judiciary Committee and on the Senate floor. I have never and would never apply any litmus test on the abortion issue and, as the record shows, I have voted to confirm Chief Justice Rehnquist, Justice O'Connor, and Justice Kennedy and led the fight to confirm Justice Thomas."
A website named NotSpecter.com emerged last week to help rally the opposition, which includes prominent evangelical Christian groups such as Focus on the Family, Family Research Council and Concerned Women for America.
The ABC News weblog The Note reports conservatives against Specter are telephoning Republican leadership offices, including Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, and members of the judiciary committee at a rate of about two to three per minute.
According to rules established by the majority party, the committee chairman will be chosen by a secret-ballot vote of the Republican members of the panel. The nod traditionally goes to the senior member, but the rules specify any member can be selected. The entire conference must then approve the committee's pick by another secret ballot, although rejection is rare.
Yeah whatever. Maybe you should wait for the film footage! Blackbird.
FBI files. The gift that keeps on giving.
The good ole boy network strike again!
Better headline might have been "Whorrin Predicts Conservative Loss, ha ha ha"
Contact Senator Santorum 202-224-6324
Tell them in no uncertain terms that Specter cannot be made Senate Judiciary Chairman
Do NOT take "no" for an answer!
Bush has no Mandate?
Just say "NO" To Specter's Games!
Senate Judiciary Committee GOP Members
Contact Senator Orrin Hatch 202-224-5251
Contact Senator Charles Grassley 202-224-3744
Contact Senator Jon Kyl 202-224-4521
Contact Senator Mike DeWine 202-224-2315
Contact Senator Jeff Sessions 202-224-4124
Contact Senator Lindsey Graham -202-224-5972
Contact Senator Larry Craig 202-224-2752
Contact Senator Saxby Chambliss 202-224-3521
Contact Senator John Cornyn 202-224-2934
I predicted this on another thread---
Its standard Republican---let everyone sound off, let everyone think there might be hope---
Then go back to the beginning and let the RINO IN!!
There are times I hate being a Republican, and if this happens, it will be one of them!
Keep contacting Frist and jud committee members. Do not give up. Send an email every day, short and punchy.
One comment from someone on Fox -
No problem when a conservative is replaced with a conservative - but -
What will be important is when a liberal is to be replaced on the S.C. - Will this guy hinder a conservative as a replacement - Changing the balance of power toward one side -
Should find out before he gets the nod - in my opinion - Has anyone asked -
Contact the Jud and frist with that question, please.
"I'd rather see plumbers, road flaggers and nurses' aides in Senate positions than these professional politicians."
You said it!
Little by little the RINOs will be removed.
I sent an email last eve to every GOP Senator with the differences between a RINO and a moderate. Even the RINO's received them. Keep contacting that jud committee
BE A FILIBUSTER BUSTER - Frist & the republicans can stop the Demo filiuster of judicial & executive appointments RIGHT NOW
Here's praying he's dead wrong on the prediction!
I'd like to see the Pubbies have a spine and say out loud they don't support Specter. But I'd take a secret ballot that ends in the same result.
We can't let this happen; come January, we have to increase the volume.
I'm with you. I hate to sound discouraging, but don't you wonder how much our voices REALLY matter to our elected officials?
<><
It bears repeating :o)
Absolutely. Voters have spoken, Republicans have a majority in both houses, lots of governors and state houses, Bush has a second term, and the Republicans in the Senate are cowering in corners, scared of their own shadows, acting as though they need to kiss the ***** of the liberals or someone will shout "BOO" at them.
Makes me sick.
My suggestion is that we increase the volume when Specter does something we don't like. His appointment is a fait accompli.
Frankly, we may need to increase the volume on a number of Senators if they don't approve conservative judicial appointees.
I guarantee you that this is not so. - This press tidbit would not have been done if that were true. This is an attempt to pull the rank and file into line, and it will not work if we stick with it, and continue to support those who help us with emails, faxes, and most important, phone calls.
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