The Moderate

Two of the most conservative, pro-Bush, gimme-my-$300 Republicans in my office were having a conversation today.

"Did you hear what Specter said about Bush and Supreme Court nominations?"

"Yeah. Jesus Christ, what an asshole."

Why? Because Pennsylvania Senator Arlen Specter, who is likely to chair the Senate Judiciary Committee, is a moderate Republican who has put Bush on notice that there will be at least some checks and balances in place when it comes to Supreme Court nominees.

The Bush fanatics want to see him granted absolute, unfettered power, and they not react well to anything that may be an obstacle to achieving that end. Don't be surprised if Specter is punished in some fairly sinister way by the Bush machine. I salute him for his courage.