Specter, who left the Republican party April 28 to run for re-election as a Democrat, customarily showed up early for Judiciary Committee hearings when he chaired the panel in the 109th Congress - a practice he continued as the committee's ranking Republican during the 110th and the first four months of the 111th Congress.
But Specter - who now sits second from the last spot on the Democratic side of the dais - was one of just two senators (Majority Whip Richard J. Durbin of Illinois was the other) who were not present when Leahy gaveled Sonia Sotomayor's confirmation hearing into session Monday morning.
Forty-five minutes into opening statements, Specter had not yet taken his seat between Democrats Al Franken of Minnesota and Ted Kaufman of Delaware.
Update: Specter finally appeared when the committee resumed for a post-lunch session at 2 p.m.
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