I haven't said much on what I call "Hurricane Arlen." On the day after the election, Spector basically said that conservatives should not try to send judicial candidates who would overturn Roe v. Wade. This got Christian conservatives mad and they demanded that Specter be barred from ascending to the chairmanship of the Senate Judical Committee. Specter is now trying to hold on to his coming chairmanship.
A friend of mine thinks that Specter's words were will ill-timed and he should have kept quiet about this issue. He probably is right. With the far right feeling that they are kings of the world these days, it might be best to keep quiet.
However, Specter was also telling the truth. He was basically saying that the Administration should be careful in who they send to get approval. People who are so far from the mainstream will have a hard time being confirmed.
But I don't think that this is the story. What is interesting is how the Religious Right ignores how even handed Specter has been. Yes, Specter is a moderate and pro-choice, and yes, he blocked the nomination of Robert Bork to the Supreme Court, but he has supported several Bush nominees and back in 1991 supported Clarence Thomas and put his career on the line when he laid in on Anita Hill.
The problem with Specter for the Religious Right is not that he is pro-choice, but it's that he dares to ask questions and use discretion instead of being a good little solider for the far right.
What's sad is that the party is becoming more and more a place where no one really thinks for themselves; they are simply there to fit to some ideological mold and woe to them if they don't subscribe to the party line. Anyone who even seems to question the party line, who doesn't push back and offer advice, is deemed a traitor.
From the White House to Congress, the party has become cocksure. I'm just going to watch as the party heads down a cliff.
By the way, Staunch Moderate has a good take on all of this.
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Posted by: veau at September 28, 2005 09:59 AMPosted by: Sakanoue at March 8, 2005 08:34 PM
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Posted by: Chris Patterson at February 17, 2005 08:32 AMLet's not lose sight of what may be the real subtext of the Specter fight. The right-wing now has a network of organizations that need to be funded, much as the left-wing has long had. These entities have executive directors who need to pay their own salaries and shareholders who expect a return on their investments.
That means that there must be a regular crisis for which the fund-raising appeals can be made. With Kerry defeated, there must be a new crisis.
I suspect Specter will get his chairmanship (if not, I would have to seriously reconsider my partisan affiliation) but don't be surprised when we get a right-wing "crisis of the month" as we get a left-wing "crisis of the month."
Posted by: Michael Kelly at November 18, 2004 09:32 AMI also have to ask, and probably start trouble, what exactly would the impact of overturning roe v wade _be? states could inact legislation limiting abortion?
if we assume that any state allows for abortion in the case of danger to the mothers health, etc, doesnt that leave it to the doctors opinion? pregnancy is potentially life-threatening for the mother just by nature.
also, isnt abortion an approved medical procedure? can a state actually outlaw it anyways? could you outlaw MRIs if you didnt like them?
i dont think roe v wade _being overturned really matters. what would matter is if a fetus was actually given a legal status, which overturning roe v wade would not do.
both parties spend too much time arguing over BS.
Posted by: mike at November 18, 2004 05:46 AMits not just the far right that is overbearing. both parties demand loyalty and towing the party line. thats one of the reasons we need another couple parties.
Posted by: mike at November 18, 2004 05:39 AMThe far right doesn't expect only 80% loyalty.
Posted by: Brian at November 17, 2004 02:17 PM