A Specter Of Trouble
By Bonnie Chernin Rogoff (11/07/04)
One day after President Bush’s resounding victory, a disloyal Senator Arlen Specter issued a warning to the President that pro-life judicial nominees would be rejected, and Roe v. Wade should not be overturned. Chaos followed and Senator Specter quickly withdrew his comments stating he would have no abortion litmus test.
Don’t’ believe it. Senator Specter’s record on abortion is solidly anti-life. He led the fight to kill Judge Robert Bork’s nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court, but voted to confirm Ruth Bader Ginsburg, an extreme left-winger who in 1972 became the first director of the ACLU's Women's Rights Project. Senator Specter supports Roe v. Wade. He voted against bans on partial birth abortion. He is opposed to parental notification laws for minors having abortions. He favors taxpayer-funded abortions.
The Philadelphia Inquirer reports: “At his post election news conference Wednesday, the Pennsylvania Republican had said that a woman’s right to choose was “inviolate,” adding that overturning Roe v. Wade now would be akin to trying to reverse Brown v. Board of Education, the court’s 1954 desegregation decision.”
With such a disappointing resume, Senator Specter has disqualified himself and cannot be trusted to preside over the Judiciary Committee. That job should go to Senator John Kyl (R-Arizona). After all, it was pro-life conservatives who ushered in a moral values crusade last Tuesday, fueling President Bush’s dramatic landslide win over Senator John Kerry. When it comes to the critically important Judiciary Committee, ideology should come before seniority. New Senate members that support the GOP pro-life platform should be considered for appointments. Senators Jim Talent and John Thune come to mind. Both are pro-life conservatives. Senator Thune’s triumph over Tom Daschle in South Dakota sends a clear message to Democrats and Republicans that Americans are disgusted with filibusters and blocked judicial nominations. Senator Thune should be promptly rewarded with a plum position to the committee of his choice.
This election has produced a significant increase in pro-life representation in the Congress, so we have a clear mandate for social issues. Final exit polls showed religious values and social issues beating the economy, 22 to 20 percent, with terrorism at 19 percent and Iraq 15 percent. Voters who cited moral values as their key issue chose President Bush by 80 to 18 percent. That’s a blowout. There’s no argument as to the magnitude of this victory, and there should be no concessions to the Democratic minority when it comes to selecting judges.
However, without determination and a will to fight there’s no power in numbers. The Democrats proved that, because as their numbers decreased in the Senate they mobilized their efforts and became stronger. They walked all over the Republican majority with filibusters and weak GOP leadership allowed them to do it. Senate Democrats Ted Kennedy, Patrick Leahy and Charles Schumer will again try to dominate the process in an attempt to block conservative nominations. They are working from a weakened position, but pit bulls will always try to bite.
The danger is that Republicans risk assuming the role of perpetual minority party. It happened in 1994 despite the so-called Gingrich revolution. With Senator Specter directing the Judiciary Committee’s hearings it will happen again.
The Judiciary Committee must be reorganized to represent the new Republican majority, with a 7 to 5 seat advantage. Senate rules must also be changed to eliminate the 60 vote super majority currently required to end filibusters. The GOP probably has the votes and now’s the time for action.
Pro-life supporters of President Bush and the GOP are putting them on the line. We have been writing letters and flooding Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist’s fax and phone lines, asking that Senator Specter be withdrawn from consideration. We’re tired of relentless filibusters and seeing our agenda stopped by our opponents. With no more campaigning to hinder President Bush, the GOP has the power to reward their conservative base. Let’s hope they do.
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