Comments (48)

moondancer wrote on July 31, 2007 6:33 PM:

Arlen Spector is a despicable whore. Talk about political theater. What explanation would unravel that twisted trail of lies arlen??

You sir, are a disgrace.

RB-Chicago wrote on July 31, 2007 6:41 PM:

WHO CARES??? HE'S NOT, I REPEAT NOT, THE MEMBER ON THIS COMMITTEE THAT COUNTS! IT'S LEAHY!!

GET IT STRAIGHT....

Anthony wrote on July 31, 2007 6:41 PM:

Arlen "Magic Bullet Theory" Specter. You can always count on him to weave a good yarn.

Alguien wrote on July 31, 2007 6:43 PM:

Nice to say that, once again, Mr. Specter has lived up to our low expectations!
Keep up the bad work, Mr. Specter.
People of Pennsilvania: please take note; it looks like it may be time for a change!

Alguien wrote on July 31, 2007 6:43 PM:

Nice to see that, once again, Mr. Specter has lived up to our low expectations!
Keep up the bad work, Mr. Specter.
People of Pennsilvania: please take note; it looks like it may be time for a change!

sherlock wrote on July 31, 2007 6:44 PM:

Oh Arlen, stop with the enabling and jump on board the impeachment express! The big showdown at high noon and no one shows up for the duel. No wonder this administration ignores Congress. This is like watching Barney Fife trying to take down Al Capone.

Alguien wrote on July 31, 2007 6:44 PM:

Nice to see that, once again, Mr. Specter has lived up to our low expectations!
Keep up the bad work, Mr. Specter.
People of Pennsilvania: please take note; it looks like it may be time for a change!

Anonymous wrote on July 31, 2007 6:48 PM:

SPECTER'S 5 USC 3331 Problem: Evidence of having a mental reservation, not fully saserting his oath.

Specter said [paraphrasing], "WH has 18 hours to noon today." That deadline passed. Now, Specter is saying, "Specter: I'm _not prepared_ to . . ."

A. What is Specter's plan to "get prepared"?

B. _When_ will Specter be prepared: When the House presents him with the evidence in the form of an trial in the Senate?

Specter has to remain _silent_ during a Senate trial of Gonzalez. Today Specter isn't prepared. The House Managers should prepare him.

Anonymous wrote on July 31, 2007 6:49 PM:

I think the Democrats are being overly hasty in their claims that the sun came up in the East this morning. I've asked the administration for their version of the events, and I'm withholding judgment for now.

Cowboy wrote on July 31, 2007 6:53 PM:

I'm guessing that Gonzo wants to make absolutely sure that he's done the perfect job of tracing a picture, on Alberto Gonzales DoJ letterhead, of his right hand with the middle finger displayed.

Once he sends it to the distinguished Senator; Sen. Specter will invariably respond: "I'm not sure that he's lied yet, I need another letter."

To which Gonzo will respond with another tracing this time with the words underneath spelled out "F-ck off Arlen."

To which Sen. Specter will respond, "I read it, but it didn't answer my question."

Unlike Moondancer I don't think Specter is a "whore". I think he's perhaps a little forgetful these days, and has lost his youthful vigor.

I'm not sure what a letter from Gonzo will exactly clarify; especially given that Gonzo and other administration officials have obscured this issue in every possibly way going back to at least 2005.

Anonymous wrote on July 31, 2007 6:53 PM:

Bio

Diverik wrote on July 31, 2007 6:54 PM:

I'm in agreement with RB-Chicago.

Where is Leahy in this? Was he in the meeting with Michael McConnell? I'm assuming not since we would have heard about it if he was. Why isn't he up in arms about the fact that McConnell is briefing Specter but not him? He is, after all, the chairman of the committee.

wiseass.org wrote on July 31, 2007 6:57 PM:

Arlen “Magic Bullet” Specter will fold like a cheap suit, regardless of what crap the WH hurls at him from the other end of Pennsylvania Ave. He will cave, then weave some other CYA yarn as he always has. From how JFK was killed to the present fight over the outright abuse of power and criminal conduct of this out-of-control administration. His standing tough and being a “maverick” is, and always has been, nothing but vapor.

Anonymous wrote on July 31, 2007 7:04 PM:

Those of us old enough to remember will recall that it was Specter who was most steadfast in Nixon's defense during the Judiciary Committee's impeachment investigations. It was only when the tapes were released that even Specter had to agree with impeachment. That's how you knew it was over - when even Specter couldn't defend him any more. Not much has changed in 33 years.

mo2 wrote on July 31, 2007 7:05 PM:

Subpoena Ashcroft.

Cheney said they DOJ signed off on the NSA program in question 12 times. Ask Ashcroft about all 12 occurrences.

Let Ashcroft have a "Goodling" deal. Let him testify behind closed doors, with a sealed transcript available only to Congressional members with security clearance.

sanfelipe bob wrote on July 31, 2007 7:21 PM:

Sen. Leahy where are you when the country needs you. One would think that you have abdicated your powers to Mr. Specter. Tell me it is not so and tell me you are still in charge.

Mark F wrote on July 31, 2007 8:33 PM:

Anyone who's pinning their hopes on Arlen Specter suddenly growing a spine should give it up. Short of a notarized letter, signed by Alberto Gonzales that says, "I hereby certify that I lied" Specter is only going to obstruct the investigation. I don't know why the other committee members don't just brush him aside and get on with business. Specter is worthless.

Dennis wrote on July 31, 2007 8:56 PM:

Arlen shills again!

This isn't about getting to the truth! This is about Arlen Specter helping the White House and Gonzales cover any loop holes in their story.

You don't have to be a blind conservative not to see it, just an ignorant one to deny it.

db wrote on July 31, 2007 9:20 PM:

At least the Specter is honest, even if inadvertantly.

What burden does Gonzo have to meet in order for Specter to proclaim him innocent and the dems to be a partisan lynch-mob?

“Well, if he doesn’t have a plausible explanation then he hasn’t leveled with the Committee, that’s right,”

A plausible explanation? Not a convincing explanation, not a credible explanation, not a consistent explanation, just a plausible excuse.

Something like, "I can't recall all the details, but blah blah blah."

You can almost hear Specter telling the WH that's all they need and he will do the rest.

bloppy wrote on July 31, 2007 9:30 PM:

Get over Specter. He is a coward and a sorry-assed bullshit artist. Expect nothing from him...ever.

Perfidius wrote on July 31, 2007 9:48 PM:

Repeat after me:

Senator Arlen (Shocked, Shocked!) Specter.

mageduley wrote on July 31, 2007 10:05 PM:

You know, I'd agree with you all if it were not for one episode....the whole habeas corpus incident. Specter was amazed at Gonzo's interpretation of the constitution. That coupled with all the other sleezy info we have so far, really makes me believe he's on the dems side. But is afraid of losing his repug base. But still I think the constitution will win out above all else with him.
That could change...but if we give anyone a chance on the repug side, I'd pick Specter.
I'm wondering if he had the meeting with Leahy's blessing. I bet they thought Specter would get more out of them if Specter has the meeting without him. Too bad Conyers doesn't have a dedicated repug conterpart in the house as Leahy does with Specter.

Dawn wrote on July 31, 2007 10:22 PM:

I agree with sanfelipe bob and others - Leahy and Shumer should be front and center on this, not Specter. It reminds me of the disgacreful period last year when the Dems hid behind so-called principled Republicans during the drafting of the Military Commissions Act, thinking that McCain and others would have more crediblility with the White House when formulating rules on torture, and that the Reps would stand up to the WH. Wrong on both counts of course.

They need to stop this idea that having a Republican face on confrontations with the WH will carry more weight with the WH or the public. Bush has no more respect for his own Senators than he does for the Dems. And the public wants to see the Dems fighting, not hiding,

EdNSted wrote on July 31, 2007 10:37 PM:

When all is said and done, precious little will have been said and absolutely nothing will be done.

Bank on it.

db wrote on July 31, 2007 10:39 PM:

Dawn, one explanation for the dems laying low up till now is the one week Leahy gave gonzo to correct his testimony...with the help of a lawyer. They probably should hold back judging him until Gonzo submits any corrections. It is very important that the dems be fair and not give any appearance of pre-judging him or being on a crusade to get him. Once he submits what, if anything, he is going to, then let him have it - and be out front defining the seriousness of the AG lying under oath while Specter is defending both the lying AG and bush, neither of whom is popular.

kentuck wrote on July 31, 2007 10:42 PM:

I think I agree with the majority of comments here about Senator Specter. I would not expect him to make an independent pronouncement that might contradict the White House. He will need to see more before he agrees with the Democrats...

Pompano Pete Jr wrote on July 31, 2007 11:06 PM:

Leahy's statement is quite clear regarding his position as Chairman. It was posted here. Everyone should read it again. It is temperate, but deliberate. It's filled with simple declarative sentences describing a series of criminal acts which his Committee will investigate and take appropriate action.

He's a great prosecutor. Faced with a powerful adversary whose allies include half the Senate and darn near the entire MSM, he has moved 70% of the public into agreeing that Gonzales is a lying crock of s**t who should be removed from office. Not bad given the sorry condition of the rule of law in this country over the past six years.

Seems like everyone wants an ax to fall. I see Leahy more as a powerful vise that is going to crush these criminals in a way that leaves them no defense.

litigatormom wrote on July 31, 2007 11:16 PM:

Thank you, Arlen, for proving once again what a shameless enabler of this Administration you are.

Smell, as in "what Arlen Specter does."

ed malloy wrote on July 31, 2007 11:31 PM:

IS IT ME OR IS THIS GUY AS BIG A LIAR AS GONZO???
WHY DO PEOPLE EVEN LISTEN TO THIS STUPID SOB??
UNBLIEVABLE... LETTER... MAYBE ... LATER... NEED MORE INFO. WHAT THE FUCK????

I WISH HE WOULD JUST SHUT UP... LEAHY SHOULD JUST TELL HIM IN PUBLIC TO SHUT THE FUCK UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

MediaFreeze wrote on August 1, 2007 12:00 AM:

Arlen (aka Lucy)-

Cueing up that football again.

Breathlessly we wait.

Will Charlie Brown (aka the Democrats) get to kick the ball.'

Alas no. Once more Arlen (aka Lucy) pulls it away at the last possible moment.

Good grief Charlie Brown!

Jake D. wrote on August 1, 2007 12:45 AM:

At least Gonzales kept the letter off of TPM for one day -- don't worry, you will get it soon enough and still not be able to prove perjury -- good thing for you guys this Administration doesn't censor posts like Josh Marshall does.

yellowdogfox wrote on August 1, 2007 12:57 AM:

I thought I remembered the Watergate hearings well, but I do not remember Arlen Specter in that context. (I sure do remember the young Trent Lott and the ineffable white-haired Chuck Wiggins, a near-twin to Henry Hyde in orotund smarminess.) But I well recall the young Specter's magic bullet theory when he was just an arrogant pup, and of course his infantile delight in deciding that in the matter of the Clinton impeachment he was really in a Scottish court of law rather than the Senate, and that the matter was "not proven."

The man is an obvious asshole, and his only redeeming quality as I see it is that once in a great while he is not a total asshole on the model of, say, Cornyn, Sessions, Graham, et al ad inf. For me, though, you don't have to be total to ba an asshole. And if you're tempted to think otherwise, just watch: when it counts, he'll revert to form.

Molly Ivans wrote on August 1, 2007 1:54 AM:

Raise Hell!!

Scott L wrote on August 1, 2007 2:11 AM:

And the band played on and on and on...

steambomb wrote on August 1, 2007 3:01 AM:

Someone needs to start making the cartoon out of Specter that he is. Maybe photoshop him with a shakespearian acting dress on. Hell you dont have to audio dub it. He makes a mockery of himself without any help.

kilo wrote on August 1, 2007 3:01 AM:

and once again Specter fails to take a real stand. anyhow, Leahy's opinion is the one that matters.

steambomb wrote on August 1, 2007 3:03 AM:

I WISH HE WOULD JUST SHUT UP... LEAHY SHOULD JUST TELL HIM IN PUBLIC TO SHUT THE FUCK UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I just wanted to reinterate. I feel the same way.

offer wrote on August 1, 2007 7:57 AM:

Arlen is waiting for Gonzo to hand him the letter containing the one and only secret decoder ring. This ring will allow Arlen to read the McConnell letter.

I want to agree with those that believe that Leahy is sticking with the 1 week deadline for Gonzo to correct his testimony, because the alternative is too depressing to consider. Plus, I think it helps to smother some of the witch hunt rhetoric when the MSM shows Arlen getting jerked around just as much as the Dem's.

I can't wait to start reading the new WSJ version of events.

One more thing. I heard NPR last night describe Fox news as 'edgy'. I nearly drove off the road...

jw in Tokyo wrote on August 1, 2007 8:21 AM:

the kabuki continues. it is all a waste of time. AG could murder someone in front of Specter and Specter would not say definitively that he had done something wrong. Also, WTF is the "classified information" that Specter is talking about? Is he talking about the public hearings most of us watched? Or something more conclusive than that? If he has something that refutes AG is lying then he should say, "I have non public information that substantiates AG is not a fuckin' liar." Otherwise he should just say, it does appear he is lying.

Jake D. wrote on August 1, 2007 9:07 AM:

While I think Gonzales would be indicted / impeached for any murder in front of Specter, I think you are correct about the non-public information. You have not forgotten we are at war, right?

phil wrote on August 1, 2007 10:11 AM:

As chairman of the Judiciary Committee, Arlen was a partisan piece of shit. I remember Russ Feingold gathering his paperwork and leaving a hearing that had turned to a lecture from Arlen the oracle. He's just another chickenshit with the money to get elected and will always be a sycophant to the Bush crime syndicate, including Penis Cheney. He, like them, will rot in hell.

phil wrote on August 1, 2007 10:23 AM:

Has anyone noticed that the frightened 28%ers think that we are at war with someone. We are not at war, we are in a disasterous occupation of a country that had nothing to do with terrorism on 9/11. Now it's the top training ground for terrorists, thanks to our "court appointed president". What a bunch of cowards, still wetting themselves 4 years later.

Mr Blifil wrote on August 1, 2007 11:52 AM:

Until I read this thread, I can't believe it hasn't occurred to me what an outrage it is that Arlen S.P.E.C.T.R.E. is being treated as if he's still Chairman of the Judiciary Committee. It's absolutely a charade and a firago that this man's opinions are allowed to gain sway, when his vote is essentially meaningless if it comes down to a party line vote, which it assuredly will.

Anonymous wrote on August 1, 2007 1:07 PM:

NO ARLEN IS VERY IMPORTANT.

Watergate went nowhere until prominent Republicans signed on. If the Republican leadership has to be voted out or procedurally strong armed, while protesting their righteousness, we will be setting ourselves up for nothing less than civil war, or atleast domestic on domestic terrorism to make beirut blush.

That said this guy is the queen of freekin pansies. Pennsylvania should be ashamed they foisted this gutless liar upon us.

Leahy should rebut Specter, hard.

deepthought wrote on August 1, 2007 1:20 PM:

"NO ARLEN IS VERY IMPORTANT"

-- Are you the Anon poster that's been causing such a fuss recently?

If so, you seem to have some very interesting things to say. You've already been dubbed the "deepthroat" of the Bush administration on sites like dKos. Of course, you probably already know this info.

I guess my primary question is... do you really think you can remain anonymous?

Dawn wrote on August 1, 2007 8:22 PM:

Good point DB. I did forget about the week Leahy gave him - I just hope he sticks to it.

woodguy wrote on August 2, 2007 4:49 AM:

Specter never has anything of real consequence to relate. He did, however, get some good face time alone in front of the TV cameras, which is his real objective. MISSION ACCOMPLISHED! Code word "mother" as in "what a Mother*********"

woodguy wrote on August 2, 2007 4:56 AM:

Arlen relates nothing of consequence-AGAIN. He does get some good solo face time in front of the cameras, which is his real objective. MISSION ACC
OMPLISHED. Code word: wind, as in hot air.