Specter Looking For Confirmation Fight Over Holder

By Big Tent Democrat, Section Obama Administration
Posted on Thu Dec 11, 2008 at 07:33:37 AM EST
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Now we know Arlen Specter (R-PA) is seriously considering running for another term as Senator (and fears another challenge in the GOP primary from extreme conservative Pat Toomey.) He is proposing a confirmation fight over Eric Holder:

In a speech on the Senate floor today, reports The Hill, Specter expressed surprise that Leahy, the committee chair, had scheduled a January 8 kickoff for Holder's confirmation hearing for the Attorney General job. Barack Obama is scheduled to be sworn in January 20. Specter cited concerns about Holder's role in the pardon of Marc Rich in the waning days of the Clinton administration.

Specter voted for the confirmation of Alberto Gonzales after the worst confirmation hearing performance (not to mention a record of support for torture) that I can remember. Who is Specter kidding? This is about extreme conservative Pat Toomey running in another GOP primary against him in 2010. Book it now - Specter is voting no on Holder - and will make quite a show of it.

Speaking for me only

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Specter Looking For Confirmation Fight Over Holder | 18 comments (18 topical)

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I am impressed (5.00 / 0) (#4)
by Steve M on Thu Dec 11, 2008 at 08:29:37 AM EST

that Specter is even hale and hearty enough to be talking about another term. From a personal standpoint, good for him, I say.

He just wants the limelight (5.00 / 1) (#6)
by mmc9431 on Thu Dec 11, 2008 at 09:40:28 AM EST

Specter has made a career out of grand standing whether it be torture, cabinet appts or national security. He puts up a phoney front of indignation and then quietly caves in to the party line).

Hey Arlen: ask him about MY prosecution (5.00 / 1) (#9)
by Ben Masel on Thu Dec 11, 2008 at 11:37:16 AM EST

in 1998 for sharing dinner in the woods with too many around the campfire in the Nicolet National Forest.

Then US Attorney for Western Wisconsin Peg Lautenschlager threw the Forest Service out of her office, asking "why are you wasting my time." Two weeks later she received a direct written order from Holder to bring the charges.

I was eventually convicted of a Federal Misdemeanor carrying 9 months imprisonment, tho sentenced to only a $100 fine. Opinion and Order

Do I think this disqualifies Holder from serving as AG? No, but I'd love to hear him explain the thought process, and YOU're looking for material to drag out the confirmation.

I dunno (5.00 / 1) (#11)
by Big Tent Democrat on Thu Dec 11, 2008 at 12:12:34 PM EST

It seems to me you should be happy to have your legal theory tested. Interesting decision and worth a post sometime in the future. I have litigate in similar areas and feel I might have something to offer on th subject.

Finally, one thing about our good friend Masel - he walks the walk.

It's why we love him. He fights the fights sometimes so we can just cheer him on on the sidelines. We get to talk the talk.


Your litigation in 'similar areas?' (none / 0) (#13)
by Ben Masel on Thu Dec 11, 2008 at 01:09:50 PM EST

Do tell.


I thought (none / 0) (#15)
by NYShooter on Thu Dec 11, 2008 at 01:45:52 PM EST

you were the non-attorney among the triumverate.

While your legal knowledge has been impressive, I though you said you weren't a lawyer.

Please set me straight.

Just this question, please; "setting me straight," I'm afraid, is beyond your, or anyone's, capability.......lol


: TL Bio (none / 0) (#16)
by squeaky on Thu Dec 11, 2008 at 02:15:00 PM EST

Armando Llorens

How does Rainbow Group (none / 0) (#14)
by oculus on Thu Dec 11, 2008 at 01:22:54 PM EST

let its non-members know where and when each year's gathering will happen?

"Focalizer." That's a new one.


: Historically, gossip. (none / 0) (#17)
by Ben Masel on Thu Dec 11, 2008 at 03:07:51 PM EST

in my case, the record showed I'd put a a location on Usenet. This is why I didn't appeal the 'as applied' ruling, the facts did not fit the theory.
(This wasn't the big Continental gathering, but a regional, and just barely topped the 75 person permit threshold. At the time I was cited, there were 82 around the campfire.)

Where to turn? (5.00 / 1) (#12)
by lentinel on Thu Dec 11, 2008 at 01:02:28 PM EST

Holder is far from the civil libertarian I would like to see as A.G.

Specter is absolutely worthless.

I hope Specter wins, then loses.

Specter is ... (none / 0) (#1)
by Erehwon on Thu Dec 11, 2008 at 07:55:50 AM EST

one of those "principled" people who toes the GOP line when push comes to shove. I hope Toomey knocks him out this time even before the Democrat has to!

Specter (none / 0) (#2)
by cal1942 on Thu Dec 11, 2008 at 08:12:54 AM EST

was so whack over the Rich pardon that he suggested impeaching Clinton again and for exercising a plenary power. Ol' Arlen didn't say nuffin' when old man Bush pardoned Caspar and the boys.

I also like the noise before cave-in tactic he used a few times on some W Bush nominations.

"Moderate" Republican, conservative Republican; now there's one of those 'there's not a nickel's worth of difference' things.

As a (none / 0) (#3)
by OldCity on Thu Dec 11, 2008 at 08:17:17 AM EST

Philadelphian, I've never found Specter to be more than mildly embarrassing. He's got a mystifying reputaion as a quasi-independent when he's really a pretty straightforward Republican (Although his son, oddly enough, is one of the most successful med-mal lawyers around).

Toomey is insane. He would be the worst thing for PA since Santorum.

I'd like to see our man Arlen's response to the upcoming pardons by Bush. If the pardons we expect occur, Specter would do better to STFU.

PA is (none / 0) (#5)
by WS on Thu Dec 11, 2008 at 08:50:57 AM EST

one of the seats I want most in 2010 along with NH, Florida, and Ohio.

If Specter wants to become more partisan to appeal to the right wing crazies, this can only hurt him in the general, if Toomey doesn't already beat him.

The only thing (none / 0) (#7)
by NYShooter on Thu Dec 11, 2008 at 10:48:38 AM EST

as predictable as Lucy pulling away the football, just as Linus is about to kick it, each fall is Arlen Specter mumbling indignant platitudes before bowing his head, surrendering his dignity, and meekly voting as the right wing crazies tell him to.

A tragic, and sad man.

Wish (none / 0) (#8)
by The Heretik on Thu Dec 11, 2008 at 11:04:05 AM EST

Wish Arlen had such fortitude in following through on his opposition on other previous matters. Always big in the beginning, only to cave in the end. sigh

: He's a total fraud ... (5.00 / 2) (#10)
by Demi Moaned on Thu Dec 11, 2008 at 11:48:14 AM EST

and a right-wing hack, IMO.
I've never understood the sentimentality on the left blogs for Specter. To me, he showed his true colors in the Clarence Thomas confirmation hearings 20 years ago.
What passes for moderation from him is just window-dressing for the benefit of the blue people of Pennsylvania.

Why not make Fitz AG? (none / 0) (#18)
by diogenes on Thu Dec 11, 2008 at 06:35:03 PM EST

That is, if Obama really wants a change in how the Justice Dept is run.