Follow me down this train of thought for a minute...
If Pres. Obama appoints Arlen Secter (R) PA, as the AG then many good things could come to pass. He's up for re-election in 2010.
- Ed Rendell gets to appoint a D to the seat giving us a chance at 60 seats without the (retracted epithet) Joe LIEberman in the caucus.
- A vigorous examination of the war crimes of the Bush Administration by an (R) would have more crediblity with the masses, especially if the death penalty is found to be the most appropriate sentence for any of the following individuals: G.W. Bush, R. Cheney, A. Gonzales, D. Feith, D. Rumsfeld, C. Powell, P. Wolfowitz and other as yet unnamed persons that were involved.
Off his own gov site.
Since first elected in 1980, Arlen Specter has brought rugged individualism and fierce independence learned from his youth on the Kansas plains to become a leading Senate moderate. His work as Philadelphia’s tough District Attorney gave him insights to write the Terrorist Prosecution Act, the Armed Career Criminal Act and co-author of the Second Chance Act.
His legal background and experience in constitutional law provided the skills to chair the dignified confirmation hearings of Chief Justice Roberts and Justice Alito. In earlier confirmation hearings he had the courage to cross party lines in opposing Judge Bork and disagreeing with conventional wisdom in supporting Justice Thomas after dissecting the contradictory and highly charged testimony.
As a consummate legislator, he has counseled compromise and conciliation in a Congress which has established new records for partisan discord. In foreign affairs, he has advocated dialogue and accommodation as an antidote to belligerency and saber rattling.
A brief summary of his record is next with a more extensive statement of his record and current activities.
Arlen Specter’s five terms have made him the longest-serving U.S. Senator in Pennsylvania’s history. A voice of reason, his independence and balance have won endorsements from the AFL-CIO and high marks from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce (100% in 2006), the National Association of Manufacturers (86% in 2006), and the Americans for Tax Reform (90% in 2006).
Time Magazine listed him among the ten best Senators in 2006.
Knowlegis rated him the second most powerful Senator in 2006 behind only Majority Leader Bill Frist. A November 11, 2007 Philadelphia Inquirer editorial stated: "Senator Arlen Specter has more clout than some sovereign nations."
Also
USA Today article from 2004
If a Pres Obama wanted to reach across the aisle for cabinet positions, I think he and his transition team should look into this as an opportunity with some fringe benefits.