Endorsement of Arlen Specter

The GOP had a one vote advantage in the Senate 51-49. It was apparent that President Bush would get at least one Supreme Court appointment in his second term. Specter was going to be the head of the Judiciary Committee, and he was the guy who demolished Anita Hill’s credibility to get Clarence Thomas approved. Santorum asked Specter for a commitment to get Bush’s Supreme Court appointments through. Specter said he would. And Specter was a sure bet for reelection as opposed to Pat Toomey (who was elected in the tea party wave). A 50/50 Senate split would endanger the possibility of a conservative justice appointment. So Santorum endorsed Specter and we got Justices Alito and Roberts.