Senate Democrats Deny Specter Committee Seniority

[ProSense]

Senate Democrats Deny Specter Committee Seniority

By Paul Kane

The Senate dealt a blow tonight to Sen. Arlen Specter's hold on seniority in several key committees, a week after the Pennsylvanian's party switch placed Democrats on the precipice of a 60-seat majority.

In a unanimous voice vote, the Senate approved a resolution that added Specter to the Democratic side of the dais on the five committees on which he serves, an expected move that gives Democrats larger margins on key panels such as Judiciary and Appropriations.

But Democrats placed Specter in one of the two most junior slots on each of the five committees for the remainder of this Congress, which goes through December 2010. Democrats have suggested that they will consider revisiting Specter's seniority claim at the committee level only after the midterm elections next year.

"This is all going to be negotiated next Congress," Jim Manley, spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Harry M. Reid (D-Nev.), said tonight.

Without any assurance of seniority, Specter loses a major weapon in his campaign to win reelection in 2010: the ability to claim that his nearly 30 years of Senate service places him in key positions to benefit his constituents.

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[billyoc]

1. Psych!

Just joking about you getting that seniority, Arlen! :rofl:

[Cha]

12. I guess so..

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x8392201

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

2. Heh. Sphincter isn't all that...

[LittleBlue]

3. That's what you get, Mr. I'mNotALoyalDemocrat!

Hahahhahahaha

[babylonsister]

4. Ha! Take that, Arlen! Rec'd! nt

[eleny]

5. Oh Yass!

[firedupdem]

6. Good....no go sit on that Mr. "I didn't say I would be a loyal Democrat". n/t

[Booster]

7. Ooooh, stuck between a rock and a hard place. If he switches

back NOBODY will like him or vote for him. they'll think he can't be trusted.:sarcasm:

[annabanana]

8. WELL Now... Senator... about that "Card Check" bill. . .. Oh yes,

and the Court seat?. . and the healthcare bill?

Have a seat Senator, we'll talk.

[jillan]

9. He had that coming. Good!

[Laelth]

10. Hmm ... now how do you feel about Coleman being seated? n/t

:dem:

-Laelth

[Cha]

11. Good! This is the exact opposite

of a thread I saw earlier that stated Arlen was going to keep senority..

<snip>

"Specter’s highly publicized switch rankled some in the party over an agreement Reid made with Specter that would allow the Pennsylvania senator to retain the seniority he earned through his five terms as a Republican.

*snip*

Specter claims that Reid has promised to recognize him in the 112th Congress with the same seniority as a Democrat elected in 1980.

*snip*

Democratic leaders tried to ensure that Specter would feel well taken care of. He sat at the leadership table, which is usually reserved for Reid, Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (Ill.), Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.), said a Democratic senator in attendance."

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x8392201

[mucifer]

13. mr "coleman must be seatedoopsI forgot which side I'm on Frankenmustbeseated"

ahole!

By the way I'd rather the senate dems get it right on banking issues than specter. But, I'll just enjoy what little I can.

[rufus dog]

14. Very well played

Put the dip shit in the corner and let him think about 2010 for this session. The Jr. Senator from PA.

[tularetom]

16. After 2010 the former Jr Senator from PA

I don't think his little act is gonna play that well for PA Democrats in the 2010 primary.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

15. Looks like Dems aren't as dumb as I thought. They're making him work for it!

Way to go, Dems!! :toast:

[msongs]

17. nice job by the dems. maybe they r coming to their senses nt

[blueclown]

18. Will Senate Democrats line up behind a primary challenge for Specter too?

Or will they blindly support a Puke that turned Democrat to save his political life?

[liberalmuse]

19. I'd feel bad...

if I weren't so relieved. We caught a big fish, but he turned out to be a carp. Throw him back.

[BlooInBloo]

20. Good behavior should be encouraged - Good job folks!!!

[mvd]

21. K&R

:applause:

[annabanana]

22. morning kick . . . . . . n/t

[freddie mertz]

23. This is good news, but they had to do it...

They couldn't push him past anyone already on the committees without causing a stink, and he undermined himself all week with his stupid remarks.

[nomaco-10]

24. FINALLY...

dems do the right thing. My question is though, why was specter so self assured when he switched parties that he'd be keeping his seniority in his committees?

A small miscommunication there I guess. :evilgrin: