Playing pro-life political chess – Jill Stanek.
Joel Brind tells the story of Rick Santorum’s support of Arlen Specter, which many pro-life people thought was a terrible mistake, or a betrayal.
According to Brind, there was a story behind the story, and a driving need to keep a Republican senate majority in order to get Bush’s Supreme Court nominees through the Judiciary committee.
The strategic thinking at the time was that pro-lifer Pat Toomey could not carry the election if he had beaten Specter in the primary, and the Dems could have taken a majority in the Senate. Santorum’s endorsement was part of a trade with Specter for his promise to behave himself as head of the Judiciary Committee, and do the job Bush needed him to do.
Brind credits this maneuvering for the placement of Justices Roberts and Alito. Check that story for yourself and see what you think.
