Arlen Specter Says Rick Santorum 'Not Correct' On GOP Debate Claims

Former Sen. Arlen Specter (D-Pa.), took issue Thursday morning with former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum's claim that he made a deal to support judicial nominees, telling radio host Michael Smerconish that he would never make such a commitment.

Santorum said during Wednesday night's debate that he backed Specter only after the former Republican promised he would not block pro-life Supreme Court justices as chairman of the Judiciary Committee. The resulting confirmations of John Roberts and Samuel Alito vindicated him, Santorum said.

But Specter disputes that such a deal ever existed.

"When I listened to Senator Santorum, he is not correct," Specter told Smerconish. "I made no commitment to him about supporting judges. That would have been the wrong thing to do. As chairman of the committee, I supported Roberts and Alito because I thought they were qualified for the jobs, but I made no deal."

Specter also downplayed the value of Santorum's endorsement.

"Senator Santorum supported my candidacy in that primary pretty much as we had supported each other over the years," he said. "We have very different political ideologies but we worked very closely together in the interest of Pennsylvania. His support was helpful but hardly determinative, hardly that important."

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Comments

[ZeraLee]

07:37 AM on 02/25/2012

So Specter is a bad judge of judges, and should not be on the Judiciary Committee. Got it.

[Jason Ambrosino]

12:11 AM on 02/25/2012

www.decisionday2012.com

[Jason Ambrosino]

12:11 AM on 02/25/2012

I have been banned from commenting? lol

[workingliberal]

10:46 AM on 02/24/2012

Spector also told Chuck Todd this morning that he doesn't believe Santorum is fit to be President. This made me chuckle :)

[Wolfsghost]

10:17 AM on 02/24/2012

I'm sure Spector knows this guy as well as anyone knows him. The people of Pa spotted him as a crackpot and kicked his sorry gluteus maximus out of office. The american public also see what a crackpot he is and will never elect him. He will get the thumper vote, but as I say... crackpot.

[Jack Lantern]

09:20 AM on 02/24/2012

Dear Mr. Spector, Your clarity of mind and sanity is sorely missed in the Senate. Thanks for the clarification of Santorum's statements. It's no surprise he's glomming off your reputation, because he hasn't the integrity to stand on his own.

Hope you are enjoying your retirement!

[grf67]

09:03 AM on 02/24/2012

And this is news?

[plzchuteme]

08:13 AM on 02/24/2012

"Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them: A Fair and Balanced Look at the Right"

It looks as though even the Republicans must admit that Al Franken was spot on.

[J Rupel]

08:09 AM on 02/24/2012

Think what you will of Santorum, but at the least admit that he's honest. Specter, on the other hand, is as slippery as they come. Ten thousand dollars says it happened just like Rick said.

[Jack Lantern]

09:22 AM on 02/24/2012

There is a huge difference between being OPINIONATED and being HONEST. This article proves Santorum wasn't being honest. Did you read the article?

[reviewingthesituation]

08:05 AM on 02/24/2012

Definition of chutzpah: Santorum accusing Obama of appointing "activist" judges. And here is the king of the Santorumites himself boasting about making a deal on potential judicial appointments, based on ideology!

Every day, one of these sanctimonious Republican reminds me why Obama must be re-elected.

[ken607]

07:33 AM on 02/24/2012

neither did scooter, or abrahmoff or even ensign. and so on.......

[Wandaz]

07:28 AM on 02/24/2012

Well, there goes Ricky's 15 minutes...knew it could not last...thankfully!

[jgallery]

07:28 AM on 02/24/2012

Spector - a man who party jumped twice to get elected make a political deal?
How can you believe Santorum - Arlen wouldn't compromise his principles and make a deal to get elected - right.

[feelingdisposable]

07:22 AM on 02/24/2012

Pants on fire, which is totally appropriate for Rick since he spends so much time & energy talking & thinking about Satan. I'd say they will both wander hell, arm in arm, for an eternity.

[Pleneras]

07:17 AM on 02/24/2012

Not correct = Liar. What's wrong with having the courage to call liars liars?

[Arashi]

07:24 AM on 02/24/2012

If nothing else, Spector is a gentleman?

[Pleneras]

06:08 PM on 02/28/2012

But it only leads to more jibber jabber instead of telling the truth. Saying the truth don't not mean your not a gentleman. I was actually referring to the headliners who like to invent reality.