Ridge Says No to Run Against Specter; Leahy Says Not So Fast to Durbin's Deal

[tekisui]

Arlen Specter should be celebrating like Frank the Tank.

It’s doubtful he’ll be streaking around a campus or anything, but he’s got reason for celebration: Tom Ridge isn’t running for the US Senate.

That means he could survive a challenge in the 2010 election and remain one of the most junior members of the Senate.

http://features.csmonitor.com/politics/2009/05/07/ridge-says-no-specter-could-retain-powerless-senate-seat/

Leahy Blocks Democrats' Deal to Give Specter Judiciary Subcommittee Chair

(Fux snooze only source so far)

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy slammed the brakes Thursday on Sen. Dick Durbin's decision to give up his Judiciary subcommittee chairmanship and offer it to party-switcher Sen. Arlen Specter.

"We need to work out something. Nothing's been worked out," Leahy said after Durbin, the majority whip, volunteered to give up his chairmanship of the crime subcommittee and announced a new Human Rights Subcommittee for him to lead.

"Oh, he's now chairman?" Leahy said with anger about Durbin. "This is great."

Leahy added that the judiciary panel has to work out funding for the new subcommittee if it is indeed to be created. He said he has to "think about it over the weekend and consult with Republicans."

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/05/07/source-durbin-gives-specter-judiciary-subcommittee-chair/

[Hawkeye-X]

1. Leahy needs to be fully stubborn on this.

We've already seen how Specter votes, and he's as useless as a heap of dung. The Democratic Party should think about expelling Specter ASAP and force him to declare himself independent.

Then he'll retire leaving a wide-open race in PA

Hawkeye-X

[Wabbajack_]

2. Or run as an indie

[robinlynne]

3. Go Leahy! but, consult with republicans?

[dsc]

6. On this the GOP is about as good a friend as possible

[LakeSamish706]

4. Way to go Leahy, this is just BS pushing Specter into this Chairmanship....

Before doing that, it should be offered to other more senior Democrats.

[cali]

5. Go Pat! no way fucking asshole arlen deserve a chairmanship

of an important subcommitee when there are decent dems with seniority. stick to your guns.

[Metta]

7. Good for Leahy. I'm glad some Dems have their courage intact.

Can't trust Spector, speaking of having a snake in your broccoli.