A few Minnesotans have sent me Norm Coleman’s response to them regarding their protest of Arlen Spector:
Thank you for taking the time to contact me concerning Senator Arlen Specter (R-PA) becoming the Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. While I have great respect for and share many, if not most, of the causes that compel some to oppose Senator Specter becoming chairman of this committee, I strongly support his bid to become chairman.And, although I am not a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, all of my Republican colleagues who serve on it, including current Chairman Orrin Hatch (R-UT), support him. Senator Specter has served with distinction in the United States Senate and on the Senate Judiciary Committee for years. His understanding and command of the issues that come before this important committee are unrivaled. He is a man of sound character, solid judgment, and of the utmost integrity. Senator Specter’s record is one having supported every judicial nomination that President George W. Bush has sent to the Senate for its advice and consent. He was also an outspoken champion of President George H. W. Bush’s nomination of Clarence Thomas to the United States Supreme Court.
Senator Specter has also publicly committed to working to ensure that the President’s nominees receive a fair vote in committee and an up or down vote on the Senate floor.Please know that I always appreciate hearing from you and that I value your advice even when, from time to time, we may disagree. But, on this issue, I hope you will join me in supporting a good man for Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee.
That pretty much speaks for itself. Norm, of course, was a New York Democrat before moving to Minnesota and switching parties. Interesting, isn’t it, that Republicans keep selecting ex-Democrats to lead their half of the bi-factional ruling party. One of the many reasons I’m an ex-Republican.