MrSpkr's random thoughts . . .: I called my Senators yesterday . . .

Saturday, November 06, 2004

I called my Senators yesterday . . .
regarding Arlen Specter as Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. I was very polite and forthright -- told them I was politically active, a practicing trial lawyer in Dallas and a Republican contributor -- and stated something to the effect that I could not think of a single member of the Republican Senate Caucus that I would be more opposed to chairing the Committee than Senator Specter.

The aides were nice, respectful, and obviously had been getting calls on this all day. Senator Cornyn's office, in particular, was difficult to get in touch with -- as a member of the Senate Judiciary Committe, I imagine this issue has swamped his office during what should have been a quiet period in the days following the Presidential election.

I have heard rumors that the Senate Republican Caucus will be meeting next week to make determinations about Committee positions -- one can only hope that we can keep the pressure up long enough ot have an impact.

Senator Specter wasn't smart enough to keep his mouth shut or at least express gratitude to President Bush after this past election. He has no sense of loyalty to mainstream Republican values and, therefore, should not be in the position of "gatekeeper" for President Bush's judicial nominations.
- posted by MrSpkr @ 13:18

Comments:

"Senator Specter wasn't smart enough to keep his mouth shut or at least express gratitude to President Bush after this past election. He has no sense of loyalty to mainstream Republican values..."

I've decided to be your official Democratic nemesis ... someone needs to, no error there, and I'm just the lad for the job.

Which prissy comment about "mainstream Republican values" would you prefer, I believe in giving a choice:

1. I believe you mean "mainLINING Republican values" since you must be on drugs.

2. You're not in the mainstream lad ... a weed choked, foul smelling, gas emitting and industrially polluted side channel perhaps ... you'll be familiar with those from Oklahoma I believe, also parts of Texas after the environmental policies of former Governor Bush.

3. The only "values" Republicans care about are the values shown in the financial pages.

At least Sen. Specter isn't marching in lockstep with our President just to be marching in the same direction as everyone else. Surely the mighty Republican party can deal with a bit of diversity? Haven't you a "big tent?"

Sen. Specter is clearly not marching to your drummer, maybe your drummer should switch to a tambourine?

Joe

# posted by

Joe Shaw : Saturday, November 06, 2004 10:14:00 PM

Now Joe, no need to get your blood pressure up.
Senator Specter is of course free to hold a different position on abortion than the overwhelming majority of the Republican Party. Heck, we gave convention speaking slots to other prominent pro-choice politicians like Schwartzenegger and Guiliani.

The problem is that Specter's statement seems to indicate that he will pose an additional litmus test on Bush's Supreme Court nominees. That is not appropriate. So long as the candidate has the proper judicial temperment, there should be no political litmus test placed upon them by the Senate. The politicization of this process began, in fact, when Arlen Specter himself initiated the modern period of contentious judicial nominations with ihs objections to Robert Bork.

# posted by

MrSpkr : Saturday, November 06, 2004 10:25:00 PM

But surely if a litmus test isn't appropriate for a judicial candidate then one isn't appropriate for the Chairman of the Judicial Committee ... is it?

Seriously ... in a perfect world a litmus test should not be applied, but would YOU accept a Supreme Court nominee who had previously ruled or published something indicating a Pro-Choice attitude? Can we trust our judicial system to provide nominees that will ALWAYS rule without personal or political bias? Can we trust our Administrations (I'm being crazy here and assuming that there actually may BE another Democratic administration ... some day) to nominate someone regardless of their bias or ability to put aside that bias?

Would you trust President Hillary Clinton to do that?

(STAND BACK BOYS ... HE'S A GONNA BLOW!) :)

Joe

# posted by

Joe Shaw : Saturday, November 06, 2004 10:37:00 PM

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