"Confirmation Battle in Senate Could Define Specter's Career"
From The New York Times: "Within hours of Justice O'Connor's announcement on Friday, Mr. Specter said he would probably hold confirmation hearings in September, a move that could upset conservatives, who would like to move a nominee along as quickly as possible in the hope of outflanking liberal groups that plan to use the summer months to prepare for a confirmation battle. Mr. Specter, though, says only that the Senate has 'an obligation to confirm the justice by the 1st of October' and that he intends to meet that deadline."
"Sharp-tongued and cagey, with an uncanny knack for parsing his words to wiggle his way out of tight spots, Mr. Specter is widely regarded as the Senate's brightest legal mind. A rare centrist in a Senate that has shifted increasingly to the right, he is reviled by conservatives for dooming the nomination of Robert H. Bork, and by liberals for assuring the confirmation of Justice Clarence Thomas with his aggressive questioning of Anita Hill, the law professor who had accused Justice Thomas of sexual harassment."
Take my advice and read the whole article. It is well worth it. Readers of this blog know that I think the senator is an outstanding citizen and a model human being. Following events surrounding the confirmation of a new U.S. Supreme Court justice is going to be significantly more interesting factoring in this historic figure and his interaction with the other members of the Judiciary Committee.
