Exactly why are the Democrats allowing Sen. Arlen Specter to be such a driving force in the debate about the loathsome incompetent Alberto Gonzales? Sen. Specter is a long-serving member of the senate, and while he’s not as wingnutty as his compatriots (he is from Pennsylvania after all), he is IN THE MINORITY. Specter is the ranking member, but Sen. Leahy is the freaking chairman and in the majority. Democrats need to learn like they’re the ones in power, because when you don’t – you lose it.
It’s actually one of the only smart moves Leahy has made. By letting Spector be the “face” of the Gonzales witch hunt, it allows Leahy to claim bipartisan cover. Otherwise, the headline would read “Democratics Investigate Republican” and America would yawn.
They’re still worried about how the press will spin it. SaveFarris is right — this grants them a bipartisan cover.
My thinking, though, is something along the lines of “Who really gives a damn at this point if they look partisan?” The Dems are doing what the American public wants; if they were to appear to be the only party doing so, I really don’t see that as a weakness.
Specter’s been pretty good on this whole thing, but I don’t trust him an inch. For the past several years I’ve always known him to talk a good talk and then vote with his party.
“They’re still worried about how the press will spin it.”
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. The media is a bigger threat than the Republican party.