I don't know about you, but I expected the far right to call in its favors on Arlen Specter after he laid into Shrub for the warrantless spying. Well, if that's happened, Specter's doing a good job of
hiding it.
Senate Judiciary Chairman Arlen Specter said Wednesday he remains skeptical about a government surveillance program despite an explanation from Attorney General Alberto Gonzales.
The two met for an hour Sunday to discuss the rationale for the warrantless eavesdropping by the National Security Agency that President Bush approved without obtaining any court orders.
"I would summarize it by saying I have grave doubts about his legal conclusion," Specter, R-Pa., said of a meeting with Gonzales, who was confirmed before Specter's committee early this year. "I'm skeptical, but I'm prepared to listen."
Apparently Specter didn't call Gonzales on his lies before Judiciary when Gonzales was up for confirmation--but there's still January.
Specter said he expects Gonzales to be the leadoff witness at a hearing on the surveillance, which he said he would like to start next month after confirmation hearings for Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito.
And just in case Shrub still has any ideas after the hearings ...
There likely will be a national debate about whether the president really has the kind of power he's been using, said Specter, a five-term senator and former prosecutor.
"There may be legislation which will come out of it to restrict the president's power," Specter said.
Specter also wants a look at Judge James Robertson's resignation letter from the FISA Court--and may ask him to testify.
January is shaping up to be a fun month ...