Specter, Stripped of Seniority, Backtracks On Coleman Support

By: Stephanie Condon
Topics: Democrats

(CBS)

It seems as if Sen. Arlen Specter (D-Pa.) will have to earn the trust of his new Democratic allies--and he is starting by backing away from his apparent show of support for Minnesota Republican Norm Coleman.

Meanwhile, in an unexpected move, the Senate on Tuesday night stripped Specter of much of his congressional influence by revoking his seniority on the committees on which he serves.

Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) read on the Senate floor yesterday a resolution making Specter the most junior Democrat on four of his five committee assignments. It stood in stark contrast to Reid's supposed promise that the Pennsylvania senator would retain his seniority if he switched from the Republican to the Democratic party.

Specter could have a chance to reclaim his seniority on influential committees such as the Appropriations and Judiciary Committees after the 2010 midterm elections, Democrats have suggested.

To stay in favor with his new party, however, Specter will likely have to avoid comments such as those made to the New York Times on Tuesday--Specter said he wanted the Minnesota Supreme Court to declare Republican Norm Coleman the winner in the state's prolonged senate race.

Democrats want candidate Al Franken to prevail over Coleman in order for the party to attain a filibuster-proof majority of 60 in the Senate.

Perhaps realizing the consequences of such remarks, Specter quickly changed his tune. He told Congressional Quarterly on Tuesday that he would like to see more Democratic members elected in the 2010 midterms.

"In the swirl of moving from one caucus to another, I have to get used to my new teammates," Specter said. "I'm ordinarily pretty correct in what I say. I've made a career of being precise. I conclusively misspoke."

Stephanie Condon
Stephanie Condon is a political reporter for CBSNews.com.
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by k9insky May 7, 2009 11:00 AM EDT: so much for making your vote count, seems like a senator can pretty much do what he wants after being elected; Reply to this comment


by abbe91 May 7, 2009 9:07 AM EDT: Not my day ...

You are right with that. The MN supreme court can either confirm the first judgment OR , in the most silly case, decide as Coleman asked for, that invalid absentee ballots should be counted. And Franken would still win in the end. All that Coleman can achieve is to create a dangerous precedent of changing the rules during the game.
Posted by abbe91 at 6:06 AM : May 7, 2009; Reply to this comment


by abbe91 May 7, 2009 9:06 AM EDT: You are right with that. The MN supreme court can either confirm the first judgment in the most silly case, OR decide as Coleman asked for, that invalid absentee ballots should be counted. And Franken would still win in the end. All that Coleman can achieve is to create a dangerous precedent of changing the rules during the game.; Reply to this comment


by abbe91 May 7, 2009 9:04 AM EDT: "Well, it was a stupid comment. Coleman doesn't have as many votes as Franken, so for the court to rule him the winner would be ridiculous. And if that little dweeb governor of theirs doesn't seat Franken after the court decision, then he doesn't deserve to be governor. It would then be pretty obvious that he is putting his party and his political ambitions WAY ahead of the people of Minnesota.
Posted by kansas1946 at 9:52 PM : May 6, 2009 "

You are right with that. The MN supreme court can either confirm the first judgment in the most silly case, decide as Coleman asked for, that invalid absentee ballots should be counted. And Franken would still win in the end. All that Coleman can achieve is to create a dangerous precedent of changing the rules during the game.; Reply to this comment


by kansas1946 May 7, 2009 12:55 AM EDT: Obama won because many americans wanted to show they are not bigots. Now thats over and liberals will go back to running second, watch the next election
Posted by hyeguyscrew at 4:01 PM :
*********************************************

Dream on. Around 20pct of Americans identify themselves with the Republican party. The party is dead right now and are eating their own.; Reply to this comment


by kansas1946 May 7, 2009 12:52 AM EDT: To stay in favor with his new party, however, Specter will likely have to avoid comments such as those made to the New York Times on Tuesday--Specter said he wanted the Minnesota Supreme Court to declare Republican Norm Coleman the winner in the state's prolonged senate race.
************************
Well, it was a stupid comment. Coleman doesn't have as many votes as Franken, so for the court to rule him the winner would be ridiculous. And if that little dweeb governor of theirs doesn't seat Franken after the court decision, then he doesn't deserve to be governor. It would then be pretty obvious that he is putting his party and his political ambitions WAY ahead of the people of Minnesota.; Reply to this comment


by stn_sage May 6, 2009 7:05 PM EDT: Mr. Reid acted appropriately!

After saying what he said, HOW could you allow him to retain seniority on committees? He violated a certain unspoken trust!

Mr. Specter is ABSOLUTELY correct! He's going to have to EARN the trust of his fellow Democrats----BEFORE they put him in charge of several committees!; Reply to this comment


by hyeguyscrew May 6, 2009 7:01 PM EDT: Only reason specter was relected as a republican was due to the ultra-liberal choice Pa voters had..
America and Pa are not socialist minded except in the less intelligent urban areas.
Obama won because many americans wanted to show they are not bigots. Now thats over and liberals will go back to running second, watch the next election; Reply to this comment


by hyeguyscrew May 6, 2009 6:49 PM EDT: His name is now Go-fer Specter.. Call them Go-fer or braindead both names fit all liberals like a glove. We knew he was a braindead liberal by his votes over the years, now single bullet specter shows america his true colors and becomes a dummy in deed.
Sorry senator, a turncoat and viper cant hide the truth about himself from other democrats just like him,; Reply to this comment


by migtex May 6, 2009 5:31 PM EDT: spector is a jerk. He has zero backbone. At his old age, he still does not know where he stands. Hopefully he will be among the unelected. He has been a gov;t parasite for too long.; Reply to this comment