Specter calling for Party leaders to allow Senators to vote consciences

[kentuck]

He is presenting his version of a compromise before the Senate. He is considered one of the most moderate and non-partisan Senators in the Senate. However, simply releasing the Senators to vote their conscience should not have to be requested. Why would they need their leaders to tell them they can vote their conscience? Shouldn't they be able to do that anyway?

[Inland]

1. Right. Somebody should ask Spector how he USUALLY bases his vote

if not his conscience.

Guess he let something slip.

[bemildred]

5. No shit. I thought that's what they were elected for. nt

[cheezus]

7. I'd certainly be getting this out to his constitutients

they might be interested to find out who he's been representing, if it's not them

[hopein08]

9. I'm a constituent!!

Unfortunately, he just got re-elected so our hands are kind of tied. I think Specter generally marches to the beat of his very own drummer. I should mention, however, that Specter is one of the only Republicans that my parents & grandparents (I think) have ever voted for.

[caty]

2. Not if the Republican Party

has no conscience.:dilemma:

[Teaser]

3. Depends.

I often wish we had a parliamentary system. And in that system, reps often can't vote their conscience, and aren't expected to as much. You got elected by Party and you vote by Party (usually). Our system is (or was, until the Bushies) very different.

[fertilizeonarbusto]

4. Difference being

that * would have failed a vote of confidence and be out on his ass by the summer of 2001.

[janx]

6. They should be doing so all the time. But the country is so

divided and the Repub party so trashed that it is no longer an option to them, apparently.

[Stinky The Clown]

8. He's speaking with a long time republican perspective as his guide

Their 'party' is one of discipline. Vote against the leader's wishes and watch your ass ground to powder come the next election. He's really speaking to Frist with this.

The Dems, on the other hand, may sometimes come together, but the discipline in the Dem party is weak at best.