Arlen Specter: “Peter Keisler has waited for 650 days, and soon, it will be the 2-year anniversary of his nomination. So the real…”

“Peter Keisler has waited for 650 days, and soon, it will be the 2-year anniversary of his nomination. So the real question is not fairness to Republicans; it is a question of fairness to the American people. The American people have not been treated fairly, and they have not been treated fairly by the Democrats, and they weren't treated fairly by Republicans when President Clinton sent nominees to this floor. It is high time this stops. That is why I have introduced a resolution that would establish a protocol. The protocol would be, after a nominee is nominated, there be a hearing and then there is a committee vote. Then, the nominee comes before the full Senate and we start to follow the Constitution. There is nothing in the Constitution about filibusters. The Constitution talks about the President's prerogatives to nominate and the Senate's duty to consent or not to consent. The majority leader made a big to-do about its being a matter of quality, not a matter of quantity. Well, if the majority doesn't like the quality, all they have to do is vote the nominee down. All I am asking for is up-or-down votes. If they don't like the quality, say so. Say so. I think that, on an examination of the record, there would be no real issue about quality. These are quality people. But, if I am wrong, and their judgment is to the contrary, I will abide by that. Vote no. Don't consent. Follow the Constitution and don't consent.”