Bye bye, Chairman Specter?

[Keystone Phil]

Check out this story from http://www.spectator.org/dsp_article.asp?art_id=7659 How great is grassrootspa.com? They're always on top of stories like this...

American Spectator: Arlen Lied To Senators, Movement To Remove Him From Senate Judiciary Chair Beginning...



American Spectator:

Senate Judiciary Committee chairman Arlen Specter went back on his word to Republican caucus members and conservative groups alike when he recently hired Hannibal G. Williams II Kemerer, who until recently was the NAACP's assistant general counsel. Specter hired Kemerer against the wishes of his senior Judiciary Committee staff. "We warned him this was going to cause trouble, but Specter said it was his committee, we are his staff, and he's going to do what he believes is right," says a Judiciary Committee staffer.
...
Specter hired Kemerer to deal specifically with the nominations and vetting of federal judicial nominees, a position many conservatives were led to believe by Specter would go, at the very least, to a Republican, and most likely to a conservative.

Specter, according to a longtime conservative judicial observer, made those promises during a meeting in late 2004 at which Specter was pleading for an opportunity to serve as Judiciary Chairman.
...
But Specter, according to some close advisers, has told them as well as Kemerer that Kemerer will play a "critical" role on the Judiciary Committee.

"What everybody seems to be forgetting is that this guy is going to have access to all of our files, to all of our briefings. He will have access to everything because he is on the majority staff. If he were a Democratic hire, it might be another matter," says the Judiciary staffer. "But theoretically he is one of us."



Specter has further inflamed both the White House and Republican leadership in the Senate by his request that all judicial nominees -- even those who previously were cleared by the Judiciary Committee -- go through committee hearings. This would mean that someone like filibustered Texas supreme court justice Priscilla Owen would have to face full committee once again. "That hasn't gotten out too far, as far as I know," says the committee staffer. "But conservative legal groups are livid."

Specter's decisions are expected to have rippling effects. Already there is talk among some conservative groups of punishing fellow Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum for what they view was duplicitous behavior in backing Specter's candidacy for the Judiciary chairmanship. Santorum, who expects to have a tough reelection fight in 2006, is expected to distance himself from Specter in the coming days.
...
Meanwhile, other conservatives are attempting to figure out what can be done to have Specter removed as chairman. Meetings are planned on Friday and early next week with Sens. Jon Kyl and John Cornyn to map out strategies. One figure looming large, but who has not yet spoken out on this issue, is Sen. Sam Brownback. According to Senate insiders, Brownback was very active early in the controversy in November and early December when Specter's candidacy and position as Judiciary Chairman was in doubt. Brownback's staff met with a number of grassroots organizations actively opposed to Specter's chairmanship. And this was before Brownback knew he would be sitting on the Judiciary Committee.

As for Senate Republican leadership, it is believed that Sen. Bill Frist is not necessarily inclined to prevent his caucus from taking steps either to punish Specter or to leave him twisting in the wind. "When Specter was worried about his job, you didn't see Frist out there patting him on the back and telling him it would be okay," says a staffer on the National Republican Senatorial Committee. "Frist was very fair and made Specter earn it. Now Specter has pissed all that good will away, and we want blood."

[Keystone Phil]

Shouldn't this have been expected? This is what happens when you support people like Specter. Don't blame me! I supported Toomey!

[Keystone Phil]

2 thoughts on this.

(1) Guess you PA Repubs should have voted for Hoeffel.

(2) If Kemerer is the most qualified individual for the job then why not hire him?  Specter was elected to represent ALL of the people of PA, not just the Republicans.  (You guys are the ones who get upset when people disown politicians by saying things like "he's not my president".)  At the end of the day Specter can always override Kemerer.

1) No way. We should have had Toomey as our nominee.

2) Specter had promised to appoint a conservative Republican to the position who I am sure would have served ALL of us well. Once again, Specter goes back on his word yet people in my party still insist that we have to support him. Let Specter play his games but make sure that at the end of all of this that he loses the position.

[Keystone Phil]

More then half of Pennsylvania Republicans voted for Specter over Toomey....and he then won re-election. I'm sorry that you are in the minority Phil.

51-49. Pretty pathetic for that Senator who was supposed to win by double digits, had all the money, all the party establishment support, and so on.

More than 53% of Pennsylvanians voted for Rick Santorum in 2000, dan. I'm sorry you're in the minority. We're all in the minority for something.

[Keystone Phil]

first of all let me add, that im a strong supporter of president bush, and i support *most* of his judicial nominees.

however, the white house has no right to be pissed at specter.  they want him to rubber-stamp all of bush's appointments.  that is not the job of the senate.  if specter were to do that, hed be abdicating his reponsibilities as a senator.

He's not being asked to be a rubber stamp. He was the one who promised something to those that promised to support him. He went back on it. Also, bringing up judges that have already been confirmed is a ridiculous idea.

[Keystone Phil]

first of all let me add, that im a strong supporter of president bush, and i support *most* of his judicial nominees.

however, the white house has no right to be pissed at specter.  they want him to rubber-stamp all of bush's appointments.  that is not the job of the senate.  if specter were to do that, hed be abdicating his reponsibilities as a senator.

He's not being asked to be a rubber stamp. He was the one who promised something to those that promised to support him. He went back on it. Also, bringing up judges that have already been confirmed is a ridiculous idea.

What's more important...politics or integrity? I guess we see which side you stand on.

Integrity would require standing by your word. Specter hasn't done that.

[Keystone Phil]

Correct me if I'm wrong here but I don't think Specter made this promise during the election, did he?  Kemerer is responsible for the vetting process.  If he fails in that responsibility surely he would be fired and replaced.  If anything he's going to be extra cautious in the vetting process because he'll know there's a target on his back.  Remember, Specter can always override him.

He made a promise to those that promised to support him for Judiciary Chair and he went back on his word. Is that integrity?

[Keystone Phil]

Correct me if I'm wrong here but I don't think Specter made this promise during the election, did he?  Kemerer is responsible for the vetting process.  If he fails in that responsibility surely he would be fired and replaced.  If anything he's going to be extra cautious in the vetting process because he'll know there's a target on his back.  Remember, Specter can always override him.

He made a promise to those that promised to support him for Judiciary Chair and he went back on his word. Is that integrity?

Yes, it is, because he is more concerned about representing those who voted for him, and protecting American's freedom, than giving in to a bunch of intolerant religious.

Agreed. I'd rather have him stand up for the people who elected him.

But he's breaking the promises he made to those that chose him as Chairman. Who's to say that a conservative, which he promised, wouldn't serve the people of PA? Can't he serve the people and keep his promises?

[Keystone Phil]

Correct me if I'm wrong here but I don't think Specter made this promise during the election, did he?  Kemerer is responsible for the vetting process.  If he fails in that responsibility surely he would be fired and replaced.  If anything he's going to be extra cautious in the vetting process because he'll know there's a target on his back.  Remember, Specter can always override him.

He made a promise to those that promised to support him for Judiciary Chair and he went back on his word. Is that integrity?

Yes, it is, because he is more concerned about representing those who voted for him, and protecting American's freedom, than giving in to a bunch of intolerant religious.

Agreed. I'd rather have him stand up for the people who elected him.

But he's breaking the promises he made to those that chose him as Chairman. Who's to say that a conservative, which he promised, wouldn't serve the people of PA? Can't he serve the people and keep his promises?

Sometimes you cannot do that.  Do you really think he WANTED to break a promise and deal with the headaches that he, an experienced politician, knew that would cause?

Oh come on. Specter is known for this stuff.

[Keystone Phil]

Correct me if I'm wrong here but I don't think Specter made this promise during the election, did he?  Kemerer is responsible for the vetting process.  If he fails in that responsibility surely he would be fired and replaced.  If anything he's going to be extra cautious in the vetting process because he'll know there's a target on his back.  Remember, Specter can always override him.

He made a promise to those that promised to support him for Judiciary Chair and he went back on his word. Is that integrity?

Yes, it is, because he is more concerned about representing those who voted for him, and protecting American's freedom, than giving in to a bunch of intolerant religious.

Agreed. I'd rather have him stand up for the people who elected him.

But he's breaking the promises he made to those that chose him as Chairman. Who's to say that a conservative, which he promised, wouldn't serve the people of PA? Can't he serve the people and keep his promises?

Sometimes you cannot do that.  Do you really think he WANTED to break a promise and deal with the headaches that he, an experienced politician, knew that would cause?

Oh come on. Specter is known for this stuff.

Ok, so you think he wanted to deal with these headaches. 

He wants to do whatever his heart desires.

[Keystone Phil]

Shouldn't this have been expected? This is what happens when you support people like Specter. Don't blame me! I supported Toomey!

Cheap shot, I know.  But now Bush, Santorum, and the establishment reap what they sow.

I totally agree, John Ford. I totally agree.

[Keystone Phil]

You are crazy... his first obligation is to the people, not the party.

If you think he should keep every promise he makes with the party then I seriously don't want you voting.

I'm crazy to suggest that it's wrong that he lied to his fellow Senators for support? I guess a conservative, which he promised, cannot serve the people?

Arlen Specter has made many promises to this party and continues to go back on his word.

[Keystone Phil]

Hes suppose to be there to find the best candidate...not the best conservative.

And if you dont think thats right, I stick to my guns.

And a conservative can't be the best candidate? Specter does whatever he wants. He cannot keep his word to those that made promises to. I'm embarrassed but not surprised.

[Keystone Phil]

He had no intentions of going out of his way to pick a nonconservative just to piss off party leaders.

Thank you for proving that you know nothing about Arlen Specter. He probably had no intentions of picking a conservative and should have never made the promise to those that supported him. Why can't you realize that?

[Keystone Phil]

He had no intentions of going out of his way to pick a nonconservative just to piss off party leaders.

Thank you for proving that you know nothing about Arlen Specter. He probably had no intentions of picking a conservative and should have never made the promise to those that supported him. Why can't you realize that?

I'm not sure if he actually 'promised' to pick a conservatjive.  He could have promised to CONSIDER a Conservative & those on the right took that to mean he will automatically pick a conservative.  He could have had a conservative in mind, but for some reason it didn't work out (he felt the guy was too extreme, didn't like the interview) or whatever.  Bottom line is the best man got the job. 

He promised a conservative the position.

From http://www.spectator.org/dsp_article.asp?art_id=7659


Specter hired Kemerer to deal specifically with the nominations and vetting of federal judicial nominees, a position many conservatives were led to believe by Specter would go, at the very least, to a Republican, and most likely to a conservative.

Specter, according to a longtime conservative judicial observer, made those promises during a meeting in late 2004 at which Specter was pleading for an opportunity to serve as Judiciary Chairman.

[Keystone Phil]

He had no intentions of going out of his way to pick a nonconservative just to piss off party leaders.

Thank you for proving that you know nothing about Arlen Specter. He probably had no intentions of picking a conservative and should have never made the promise to those that supported him. Why can't you realize that?

I'm not sure if he actually 'promised' to pick a conservatjive.  He could have promised to CONSIDER a Conservative & those on the right took that to mean he will automatically pick a conservative.  He could have had a conservative in mind, but for some reason it didn't work out (he felt the guy was too extreme, didn't like the interview) or whatever.  Bottom line is the best man got the job. 

He promised a conservative the position.

From http://www.spectator.org/dsp_article.asp?art_id=7659


Specter hired Kemerer to deal specifically with the nominations and vetting of federal judicial nominees, a position many conservatives were led to believe by Specter would go, at the very least, to a Republican, and most likely to a conservative.

Specter, according to a longtime conservative judicial observer, made those promises during a meeting in late 2004 at which Specter was pleading for an opportunity to serve as Judiciary Chairman.

The article says led to believe.  How do you know this guy didn't mis-understand Specter and took something like "I will most likely nominate a Republican" to mean "I am definatley nominating a Conservative".  Maybe Specter did make that promise, but maybe that promise was made before Kemerer was available, once Kemerer became available Specter changed his mind because the better candidate came about.  Bottom line he chose who he felt was the best candidate for the job.  Did he really make that promise??  Well maybe, but even if he did it doesn't mean that he purposley lied about it.  It could mean he simply changed his mind, it could be the person who he thought was the best candidate all along wasn't available when he made that promise and became available afterward, it could mean that the conservative he had in mind fell through for whatever reason. 

I'll state for about the tenth time that Specter is known for this stuff. He had to make promises to get the Chairman position. He made the promises and like usual he went back on what he said. Nothing new.

[Keystone Phil]

Keystone Phil- Did you support Specter over Hoeffel and Clymer in the last election?

He backed Specter

I was smart and backed Clymer. 

I think NewFederalist knew the answer to that question before asking it and just wanted me to look bad. 

If the election was held today, I would vote for Clymer but wouldn't be thrilled with it. I always say that we shouldn't be surprised at this stuff that Specter is pulling and that we should have been ready for it. I even knew that during the campaign when I supported Specter. I was wrong for that. I'm just glad I didn't have to vote in this election.

[Keystone Phil]

You were, thankfully, not eligible in 2004 and you will probably not get another chance to vote for Specter!

Celebrate good times come on!

[Keystone Phil]

You must be logged in to read this quote.

I like Casey and wouldn't mind him as a U.S. Senator. He seems to be a good guy and I like conservative Democrats. However, I don't see him running for Senate ever. In 2010, I'm supporting the one...the only....PAT TOOMEY!

[Keystone Phil]

And where is Specter's biggest fan, htmldon, as the man from Philly sticks us in the back?

I have spoken to him privately about it but it's funny how he won't post his reponse to this on the forum. Tell us about how we needed that loyal Arlen again, Don!

This "man from Philly" supported Pat Toomey! And oh how we had to hear Mr. Specter say he was a better Republican than Pat Toomey and how he could prove it! Ha!

[Keystone Phil]

This amazes me.  You guys want to lynch Specter because of a broken promise.  OMG, a politician who breaks a promise!?!  Wow ... we should burn him and his children.

"Read my lips, no new taxes."

And "Read my lips, no new taxes" was wrong. We cannot justify breaking promises because "every politician does it." Ever wonder why so many people distrust politicians? I was at lunch Friday at a local diner. A waitress heard my friend and me discussing politics. She started telling us how "they're [politicians] are all corrupt." See how a few corrupt people give even the good a bad reputation?

Specter broke the promise. Specter should be removed. The worst part is that everyone should have seen something like this happening.

[Keystone Phil]

This amazes me.  You guys want to lynch Specter because of a broken promise.  OMG, a politician who breaks a promise!?!  Wow ... we should burn him and his children.

"Read my lips, no new taxes."

And "Read my lips, no new taxes" was wrong. We cannot justify breaking promises because "every politician does it." Ever wonder why so many people distrust politicians? I was at lunch Friday at a local diner. A waitress heard my friend and me discussing politics. She started telling us how "they're [politicians] are all corrupt." See how a few corrupt people give even the good a bad reputation?

Specter broke the promise. Specter should be removed. The worst part is that everyone should have seen something like this happening.

Wait a second ... so what you're saying is that every politician who breaks a promise should be removed, is that correct?

Specter has consistently broken these promises and cannot be trusted with a role of leadership.

[Keystone Phil]

This amazes me.  You guys want to lynch Specter because of a broken promise.  OMG, a politician who breaks a promise!?!  Wow ... we should burn him and his children.

"Read my lips, no new taxes."

And "Read my lips, no new taxes" was wrong. We cannot justify breaking promises because "every politician does it." Ever wonder why so many people distrust politicians? I was at lunch Friday at a local diner. A waitress heard my friend and me discussing politics. She started telling us how "they're [politicians] are all corrupt." See how a few corrupt people give even the good a bad reputation?

Specter broke the promise. Specter should be removed. The worst part is that everyone should have seen something like this happening.

Wait a second ... so what you're saying is that every politician who breaks a promise should be removed, is that correct?

Specter has consistently broken these promises and cannot be trusted with a role of leadership.

You're avoiding the question.  It is a simple yes or no.  Should every politician who breaks a promise be removed from office?

If it's as consistent as Specter's promise breaking, yes they should be voted out of office and removed from the position they were elected to by their colleagues.

[Keystone Phil]

This amazes me.  You guys want to lynch Specter because of a broken promise.  OMG, a politician who breaks a promise!?!  Wow ... we should burn him and his children.

"Read my lips, no new taxes."

And "Read my lips, no new taxes" was wrong. We cannot justify breaking promises because "every politician does it." Ever wonder why so many people distrust politicians? I was at lunch Friday at a local diner. A waitress heard my friend and me discussing politics. She started telling us how "they're [politicians] are all corrupt." See how a few corrupt people give even the good a bad reputation?

Specter broke the promise. Specter should be removed. The worst part is that everyone should have seen something like this happening.

Wait a second ... so what you're saying is that every politician who breaks a promise should be removed, is that correct?

Specter has consistently broken these promises and cannot be trusted with a role of leadership.

You're avoiding the question.  It is a simple yes or no.  Should every politician who breaks a promise be removed from office?

If it's as consistent as Specter's promise breaking, yes they should be voted out of office and removed from the position they were elected to by their colleagues.

Just out of curiousity, what other promises has Specter broken?

He was going to work hard for the Bush-Cheney ticket here. Hardly did a thing. Funniest point: Not only did he pretty much totally ignore Bush-Cheney in PA, someone on his campaign made up "Kerry and Specter - Fighting for PA's working families" signs. Gotta love Arlen!

[Keystone Phil]

Here's Arlen Specter's campaign working hard for the President.