Specter to get Judiciary subcmte chair (Sen. Durbin voluntarily gives up his chairmanship)

[sabra]

Source: MSNBC

In an apparent effort to to ease the tension over Arlen Specter's bumpy transition into the Senate Democratic caucus, Sen. Dick Durbin is willing to voluntarily relinquish his chairmanship on a Judiciary subcommittee to Specter, sources tell NBC News.

Specter will become the Chairman of the Crime and Drug Subcommittee. The committee is an important one, as it has substantial oversight over the Department of Justice. The vaunted Crime Bill was written in that committee.

As for Durbin, he will become chairman of a reconstituted subcommittee called Human Rights and the Law.

Read more: http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2009/05/07/1925201.aspx

[LakeSamish706]

1. Sure be nice if the Dems. would quit trying to appease Specter... Throw him back. n/t

[suede1]

4. It worked so well with Lieberman, he straightened up... oh wait.

[jwirr]

2. Our elderly congressmen (ex. Byrd) relinquished their seats to

younger people so why isn't that okay for 80 year old Specter?

[peace13]

3. What is Specter doing with oversite to the Dept . of Justice!

Mr. Durbin, we say, thanks but no thanks!

[Blaq Dem]

5. Specter needs a woodshed moment

He says he won't be a loyal Democrat. So why should Democrats be a loyal Specter supporter?

[Bozita]

6. Placating Specter is unnecessary. Where can he go?

[mayahbird]

7. Sen Durbin

Sen Durbin is my senator and I just sent him an email to let him know how upset I am with him. I was happy to see that he stood up in Congress and said how it was owned by the banks. Now look at what he is doing. Sometimes I wonder what in the world they are thinking or should I say NOT thinking. After what Specter has done all these years, how would anyone think that he is going to change now???? I just don't get it.

[No Elephants]

10. Maybe the reason that he "voluntarily" gave up his seat is BECAUSE he said Congress was owned by the

banks. Maybe got slapped for saying what he said about Coleman, then Specter got rewarded for saying he misspoke about Coleman and Durbin is getting slapped for saying the banks own Congress. Two birds, one stone. Stranger things have happened.

[Bozita]

11. Yes, was Durbin pressured for his "banks own Congress" statement?

[No Elephants]

12. Earlier this morning, I was posting on another thread how happy I was that Specter did not

get any chairs. Now this. And oversight over the D of J when the D of J should be investigating Specter's--let's be honest--fellow Republicans.

I think I give up.

Please folks who have Democratic Senators, contact them and beg them to ditch Reid.

And let's ALL thank Durbin for telling the American people the truth. I mean, we all knew anyway, but he ought to be rewarded for that.

[liberal N proud]

8. Specter had better be voting with the Democrats for this

A lot more than he originally indicated he would.

[robinlynne]

15. once again the Dems buy some votes from the right. Let's get some good

progressive Senators voted in instead./..

[BumRushDaShow]

9. As the world turns..... n/t

[Metta]

13. this is messed up and could be bad. How can Durbin give up something so important?

For a seeming progressive to do this, I can't but wonder if he wasn't pressured. Unless part of the deal is that Spector support Obama's choices.

[robinlynne]

14. WHY?

[Kingofalldems]

16. Fine as long as Specter toes the line

Especially on EFCA.

[Iowa]

17. More spinelessness... it never ends.

On the other hand, does it even matter? There truly is almost zero difference between the two parties anyway.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

18. I wonder wherever the fish did go...

[xchrom]

19. piss on specter. nt

[Demeter]

20. Bad Move, Dick

WHAT WERE YOU THINKING? TURNING OVER THE SUPREME COURT TO SPECTER!!!! ARE YOU NUTS????

[avaistheone1]

22. I agree. This is really bad decision. Extremely poor.

[crazylikafox]

21. I guess we're not going to legalize marijuana now....