CNN: specter Gets Ass Kissed By "Dems"

[Dinger]

who apparently want to get him re-elected over real Democrats, like Joe Sestak (Yes, he hasn't made it official, so what). This fucking sucks.
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/




"May 7, 2009
Durbin to give up subcommittee chairmanship in favor of Specter


WASHINGTON (CNN) — Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Illinois, is giving up his chairmanship of the Crime and Drugs Subcommittee and giving it to Sen. Arlen Specter, D-Pennsylvania, Durbin spokesman Joe Shoemaker said Thursday.

Durbin, the second ranking Democrat in the Senate, agreed to do give up the post after a day of intense "negotiations" (arm twisting) and public feuding between Specter and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid over Democrats stripping Specter of his seniority on key committees.

The subcommittee is a relatively powerful position in that it apparently oversees about 60 percent of the Department of Justice, according to Shoemaker.

A Democratic leadership source, who did not want to speak on the record about internal Democratic dynamics, also told CNN that Democrats decided to do this for Specter for two main reasons.

First, they (DINOs) want Specter to win re-election, and this gives him a powerful legislative perch from which to run. Second, the Senate Judiciary Committee is about to deal with a new Supreme Court nomination. . "

[LakeSamish706]

1. Yes it does suck.... What the hell is Durbin thinking anyway? Throw this senile old...

Republic out now... This is pure bullshit...

[nomaco-10]

2. I wrote this post yesterday...

Sorry, but I just gotta say it, I told you so.


http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=8392949&mesg_id=8393131

[Dinger]

9. I Saw That & Chimed In

Boy, you sure did call that one.

[nomaco-10]

11. I don't get it. Reid is supposed to be in charge, but Durbin....

is the one out taking credit for giving up a chair to specter. Why does durbin want to take the credit for caving into specter, when reid is clearly in charge and is supposed to be making all these calls. I'm really disappointed in durbin. That I'm disappointed in reid, is pretty much a given regularly.

Do you think this specter stuff is coming down from Obama himself? Makes you wonder, don't it?

[Diamonique]

3. Durbin will chair another subcommittee.

I don't remember the name of it. But there is a subcommittee that was discontinued at the beginning of this congressional session because there wasn't anyone available to run it. Now that subcommitte will be started up again with Durbin chairing it.

ETA: Durbin will chair the Human Rights subcommittee. It has jurisdiction over torture.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

4. I agree

We could've probably won Pennsylvania pretty easily if Specter lost in the primary to Toomey. Now, we're stuck with a situation where we have what looks like a lemon for a "Democratic" candidate next year who has been promised a "clear field" by Obama, Reid, and the Pennsylvania Democratic establishment. However, I'm wondering just how long that commitment is going to be good for. It sounds like (from what I heard) Reid is pretty flummoxed by Specter's recent behavior. Of course, Spector can still be primaried regardless of whether "the establishment" or anybody else still wants Specter but I somehow doubt that Obama or any other Democrats are going to stick their neck out for him if he doesn't at least deliver some votes for some important Democratic-sponsored legislation between now and next year's primary. If he's going to be a member of our party, he should at least act like one and he certainly should NOT just be given a "free ride" in the Democratic Primary next year if he hasn't earned it.

[Clio the Leo]

5. How was Specter polling againt any potential Dem. candidates?

Anyone know?

[HopeOverFear]

6. So Specter is NOT being stripped of his seniority? The Dems changed their minds?

[Diamonique]

8. No. He still isn't getting credit for his seniority. They just threw him a bone.

If he was getting full seniority, he'd be given a full chairmanship, not a subcommittee.

[w4rma]

7. Why is a Republican chairing any committe in a Democratic Senate? (nt)

[Political Heretic]

10. Fucking brutal. I TOLD YOU the Specter switch was NOT yee haw good news!

And I got shouted down all day long the day it was announced.

Now here we are...