"Senator Specter's statements are outrageous on the heels of Tuesday's election where the values voter sent a clear message that the moral slide in this nation is their top concern ... where the values voter brought victory to President Bush and sent many pro-family, pro-life Senators and Congressmen to Washington, where the values voter in South Dakota unseated pro-abortion Senator Tom Daschle," said Diane Gramley, president of the organization.

"It is unacceptable for one liberal Republican from Pennsylvania to thwart the desires of the president of the United States to make our federal courts more conservative and more in tune with the values of the American people," Bauer said.

The coalition includes Operation Rescue, Faith and Action, and Christian Defense Coalition.

"Specter's attempt to challenge the right of the president to make judicial appointments is outrageous," said Troy Newman, president of Operation Rescue. "He cannot be allowed to single-handily hold nominees hostage with whom he has a personal ax to grind."

Editor's note: