SPECTER TO PUSH ROBERTS ON CASES

Looks like Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Arlen Specter is showing some spine and regard for his reputation as a top-notch constitutional lawyer. He's written a letter to SCOTUS nominee John Roberts expressing his intention to raise questions about his views of some of the Court's recent rulings scaling back Congressional power.

In addition, Specter wants assurances that Roberts respects the role of Congress and is considering Democrats' calls for access to legal memorandums Roberts wrote while serving as Solicitor General.

Rethugs aren't happy -- but then, arch conservatives conducted a bitter battle to remove him from the committee chairmanship because they feared something like this, so why should he pander to them? With all his recent health problems, perhaps Specter is thinking more about his legacy than short-term expediency.