The New York Times notes that conservatives "have never forgiven" Sen. Arlen Specter (R-PA) "for crossing party lines to defeat the nomination of Judge Robert H. Bork to the Supreme Court."
Now, as Specter is hoping to head the Senate Judiciary Committee, "they are demanding a steep concession: support for changing a century-old Senate rule that permits judicial nominations to be blocked by filibuster."
The White House is offering Specter "only lukewarm support."
The Wall Street Journal says the fight taking shape over Specter "is both an early test of wills over the direction of the Republican Party and a demonstration of the aggressive role evangelicals plan to play in the second Bush term."