Specter Wins Support for Chairmanship

Sen. Arlen Specter on Thursday won the support of the Senate Judiciary Committee's Republicans to be their chairman next year, surviving complaints from abortion opponents who lobbied to skip over him in favor of a conservative.

"I have assured the president that I would give his nominees quick committee hearings and early committee votes," Specter said at a news conference where outgoing chairman Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, said the panel's Republican were unanimous in backing the Pennsylvania moderate.

President Bush assured Specter that the Senator was welcome to come to the White House anytime to stare at the mantle on which the jar containing his manhood would be kept.