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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2009
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Dems in a Snit Over Specter's Cozy Deal

Senate honchos fume as newbie prepares to leapfrog to top jobs

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(Newser) – Some top Democratic senators are rebelling against the deal that brought Arlen Specter into the fold, the Hill reports. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid told the aisle-crosser he could keep the 28 years of seniority he gained as a GOP senator, infuriating long-serving Democrats whom Specter will now likely leapfrog over to the top of important panels.

"I won’t be happy if I don’t get to chair something because of Arlen Specter,” said Maryland Sen. Barbara Mikulski, currently the fifth most senior Democrat. Some Democrats—who say the party did Specter a favor by letting him switch—plan to vote against him rising to the top of Senate panels. Reid said that nobody will be bumped from any committees until after the 2010 elections, although some wrangling is likely to ensue over Specter's existing assignments.

Sen. Arlen Specter, D-Pa., sits on the Democratic side of the aisle during an emergency hearing on swine flu in Washington on Tuesday.
Sen. Arlen Specter, D-Pa., sits on the Democratic side of the aisle during an emergency hearing on swine flu in Washington on Tuesday.   (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Sen. Arlen Specter enters the Diplomatic Room at the White House to make a statement with President Barack Obama about his surprise switch to the Democratic Party in Washington yesterday.
Sen. Arlen Specter enters the Diplomatic Room at the White House to make a statement with President Barack Obama about his surprise switch to the Democratic Party in Washington yesterday.   (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
Sen. Arlen Specter, D-Pa., sits on the Democratic side of the aisle during an emergency hearing on swine flu on Tuesday.
Sen. Arlen Specter, D-Pa., sits on the Democratic side of the aisle during an emergency hearing on swine flu on Tuesday.   (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
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I’m happy with the Democratic order, but I don’t want to be displaced because of Arlen Specter. - Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.)

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4 comments
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Rob
Apr 30, 09 6:07 AM CDT
TANSTAAFL, heh, Reid? Reply
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Derni
Apr 30, 09 6:56 AM CDT
See-just llike our primate cousins-everyone is worried about thier own territory-food and sex-and we know how sex goes in Washington-so we really haven't changed too much-just that frontal lobe. Reply
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sache
Apr 30, 09 8:37 AM CDT
Get out of the snit. There are more important issues than someone leapfrogging to important panels. Get over it...meaning Specter situation. Get unified. Get this country back on the right track. President Obama needs the Dems to step up to the plate and put aside petty difference. America needs one of the major political party working for the country's best interest and not self interest. Dems be that party. Reply
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anchower
May 1, 09 6:37 AM CDT
Who gives a crap. With or without Specter, and regardless of who chairs what committee, these Democrats, despite their practical stranglehold on power, won't give us single-payer healthcare, the cheapest, most efficient, and all-around best solution to lack of insurance. F Congress, and f Obama for screwing the pooch on one of the greatest opportunities and most important issues in the history of this freaking country. Reply
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