Specter switches parties, gives Democrats 60 votes, GOP irrelevance now official
The Republican Party is now on suicide watch:
Pennsylvania Sen. Arlen Specter will switch his party affiliation from Republican to Democrat and announced today that he will run in 2010 as a Democrat, according to a statement he released this morning.
Specter's decision would give Democrats a 60 seat filibuster proof majority in the Senate assuming Democrat Al Franken is eventually sworn in as the next Senator from Minnesota. (Former Sen. Norm Coleman is appealing Franken's victory in the state Supreme Court.)
"I have decided to run for re-election in 2010 in the Democratic primary," said Specter in a statement. "I am ready, willing and anxious to take on all comers and have my candidacy for re-election determined in a general election."
He added: "Since my election in 1980, as part of the Reagan Big Tent, the Republican Party has moved far to the right. Last year, more than 200,000 Republicans in Pennsylvania changed their registration to become Democrats. I now find my political philosophy more in line with Democrats than Republicans."
MSNBC's David Shuster, in the video above, relayed the information that Specter reached the decision because he realized that his vote for the stimulus package had irrevocably breached his relationship with the increasingly wingnutty Republican base, and that he was no longer willing to submit himself to the judgment of that base in the GOP primary. Smart move.
Of course, now that he's a Democrat, don't expect any miracles. Reportedly, he still intends to vote against cloture on the Employee Free Choice Act ...
UPDATE: Here's Specter's statement:
When I supported the stimulus package, I knew that it would not be popular with the Republican Party. But, I saw the stimulus as necessary to lessen the risk of a far more serious recession than we are now experiencing.
Since then, I have traveled the State, talked to Republican leaders and office-holders and my supporters and I have carefully examined public opinion. It has become clear to me that the stimulus vote caused a schism which makes our differences irreconcilable. On this state of the record, I am unwilling to have my twenty-nine year Senate record judged by the Pennsylvania Republican primary electorate. I have not represented the Republican Party. I have represented the people of Pennsylvania.
I have decided to run for re-election in 2010 in the Democratic primary.
Haaaa Haaaa
They just got Barack-ed
....but he will still vote the same he always had.
Why would a traitor hang out and conduct business as usual with the folks he just betrayed?
This wasn't an idiological move on his part but a political calculation. Not unlike Peter Welch running as both a Democratic and Republican candidate in 2008. If they think the voters are against their party they just move to the party the voters are comfortable with. And FAR TO MANY people vote party not person.
...and a shitty day for Republicans(one of their rats jumped ship).
... so I figure he'll be okay as a moderate dem. The guy can flip-flop faster than a cold water trout.
Your hypothesis applies to the general election. This is about a primary challenge. His vote for the stimulus package lost him the support of Pennsylvania Republicans. As a Republican candidate, he'd never make it past the primary.
:)
on the Pennsylvania voters.
He knows that even if he beats his conservative Republican challenger in the primary that in a general election he will lose to ANY Democrat.
In order to stay in the club, he had to switch.
It's politics, plain and simple.
"The US has an army of 90,000 soldiers in Afghanistan and is spending $100bn a year, but has still been unable to defeat 20,000-25,000 Taliban who receive no pay at all." - Patrick Cockburn
In PA, we've always been proud of a Senator who's so often put people over party (which is why we kicked Santorum to the curb). You may not like him simply because he's a (former) Republican, but he's never been accused of being a pundit, lockstepping wingnut.
He's pissed off a lot of GOPs by doing the right thing. If he pisses a lot of Democrats off by doing the right thing, I would vote for someone like that all day long.
And yes, I know there are going to be people who'll point out votes that they disagree with, but go Specter...we in PA are proud of you and wish you well.
Keep in mind, during that rediciulous Limbaugh vs Michael J Fox flap, Fox was asked if he'd support a GOP if they supported stem cell research. His exact quote was 'Arlen Specter is my guy'.
You are right, Specter has always been the "real" conservative, here in PA. He is fair and makes informed decisions. I like him from what I have seen.
He may be trying to save his own ass now that he criticized so many Neo-Con bills and policys.
I wouldn't worry that he is a "lieberman" he is not.
Maybe he is afraid of Chris Matthews? :P
Good 1 Specter!!!
Yup, yup. He has came out against The Warpigs on several occasions, but just amounted to a lot of hot air I think. Just covering his ass. Folks with that 'R' after their names may not be faring well in national elections for awhile. He'll be just a wolf in coyotes clothing.
Government + the Federal Reserve = organized crime
The Democrats won't want him, nor will the Republicans. You progressives lead while being fearful...we are in a position of strength...learn to like it.
Rush Limbaugh, is that you?
He barely beat out his Republican rival and PA is going Dem. That is why he switched. He's a 5 time Senator, he knows which way the wind is blowing.
What? You think he is going to vote for things he didn't before? Come on, its all about getting re-elected. Ron Paul is a Libertarian but he runs as a Republican.
Having said that I love the fact that Specter switched.....I'm about to go hear Rush have an actual heart attack on the air.....
The rat jumped ship. It's a good thing there was another big ship to starboard.
The big ship was to port.
Men are basically smart or dumb and lazy or ambitious. The dumb and ambitious ones are dangerous and I get rid of them. The dumb and lazy ones I give mundane duties. The smart ambitious ones I put on my staff. The smart and lazy ones I make my commanders.
new line of designer flu masks I'm working on. Might do a 60! model also.
Can you make some in a Victorian style...with a little frill on the edges? Something light and airy so I can still freakin' breathe?
Thanks. I'll take twenty.
"The US has an army of 90,000 soldiers in Afghanistan and is spending $100bn a year, but has still been unable to defeat 20,000-25,000 Taliban who receive no pay at all." - Patrick Cockburn
Spectér's done a good job of verbally championing democratic causes the last few years... only to vote against them in the end.
I'm not at all optimistic this move will actually accomplish anything other than helping him get elected next time around.
If he in fact votes like a Democrat and not a Repuke or corporatist, we'll need to send him a lot of love. But if he ends up just being another GOPer operative, who needs him?
HALF THE TIME...the country will be well on it's way to installing the long past due progressive programs it needs, and the right wing heads will explode in symphony of blasts that will bring tears of joy to progressive Americans everywhere.
Vote GOP and move forward to the 18th Century.
HA!
Good times :)
But at least he's our whore now.
n/c
I'm just superstitious enough to hedge my bets.
Now Coleman can't quit. Since he's not interested in joining the reality based community, Ginsgerg et al will drag this out into the summer.
I hope this isn't letting the fox into the henhouse, so to speak.
I don't trust a republican(t) ever... not ever and I'm concerned that he'll still be Arlen Specter, as noted he'll be voting against the Employee Free Choice Act. I say he's a republican(t) in Democratic costume... I'll have to wait and see on this one.
single bullet theory
...as much as the Republicans do right now. The old dude really felt the winds of change. Lol.
political expediency. There are not enuf wingnut votes in PA to carry him to reelection victory. PA is economically devastated right now, and populism rules.
So...if he can't beat 'em, Arlen joins 'em.
Vote GOP and move forward to the 18th Century.
While this move may be largely symbolic, it's a dagger nonetheless.
More like a coffin nail..
I'm curious if others will follow, in State houses and senates and the like.
look at the remainder of the GOP minority Senate.
Assorted fruits and nuts from regressive, backward states. Yeah, there are Republicans from the East...like NJ...but they tend to be more moderate anyway.
If you're looking for an Eastern GOP politican who is in real trouble...two words...Peter King.
Vote GOP and move forward to the 18th Century.
I just got a reply letter from the "Honorable" Pete King yesterday re: his budget vote. What a waste of a tree. I hear he may try for a Hillary's old Senate seat, but be assured there are plenty of us who will be working against him which ever ring he throws his hat into.
in a nutshell...
9/11, 9/11, muslims, dirty bombs, torture, torture, 9/11, 9/11, arabs, Osama, 9/11, Iraq, 9/11, Hussein, 9/11, torture, torture, 9/11
Vote GOP and move forward to the 18th Century.
After all, the reason he switched parties is because the Repugs were forcing him right and he's not stupid. He has no chance of winning in Pennsylvania in EITHER party without the support of Labor. Welcome Arlen, please leave your GOP baggage at the door.
Barack Obama: Change we can only imagine
to the basement medical center for a detoxification shower. Given a mental examination, given a new suit with blue tie, and take the oath of loyalty?
This will be interesting to see how it plays out in the end. I admit I'm a bit skeptical, but also hopeful. I could see this being a smoke and mirrors kind of political stunt, but the man could also prove me wrong. Perhaps he'll feel some pressure from fellow Democrats to live up to his party affiliation, but maybe not.
Like I said, this will be interesting to watch.
Turn out the gaslamp.
As long as DINO Harry Reid is in a leadership position. With Reid in place, the Democrats don't NEED Republican opposition in order to fail.
"The Good and Great Must Ever Shun, That Reckless and Abandoned One
Who Stoops to Perpetrate a Pun," Lewis Carroll, 'The Three Voices.'
What I wouldn't give to have Feingold in Reid's spot.
Barack Obama: Change we can only imagine
omg yes
or Hillary.
Vote GOP and move forward to the 18th Century.
Reid still thinks the best thing Democrats can do is to pretend to be Republicans.
Barack Obama: Change we can only imagine
You and your daggum logic!
We don't have TIME for that!
We gotta a whole lotta speculatin to do! Sheesh! };)>
should be raising the pandemic swine flu alert level from phase to level 6 by the end of the day with this develeopment.
Okay Dem's let's get busy.
Maybe Reid and Pelosi will follow Specters' example and defect to the Republican side of the aisle and the Dem's can elect a new Majority Leader and House Speaker. Would that be too much to hope for?
Government + the Federal Reserve = organized crime
but he has my respect for being his own man and voting his conscience.
He's done much good. I just sent him an e mail welcoming him to the party and hoping he'd change his mind on the Employee Free Choice Act.
I agree with others who have said they doubt he'll always be a definite 60th vote....but he certainly is in a more progressive party now.
ps and yeah, can't ever forget that bullet theory thingy
everybody has a past eh ?
Good news. Nice to have you aboard, Mr. Specter :)
The problem is, if Arlen does not watch how he votes, Reid and Pelosi will punish him by taking away his committee leadership roles. Arlen needs to move a little more toward the left. I believe his vote against the Obama Budget was negotiated with Reid and Pelosi as a grandstand move to show himself as a true independent. Pelosi and Reid gave him permission to do so and still keep his seniority even though he's a new Democrat. I believe he'll begin voting more with Democrats very soon and without much fanfare. Arlen needs to lower his profile for a while and I believe he's being watched very closely by both Reid and Pelosi. One false move and Arlen will be severly censured by the Democrats.
McCaskill, Byrd, Rockefeller, Baucus, Conrad, Loserman...
None of them are reliable votes on even modestly lib/left-of-center legislation...
The Dims would need 70 Senators to have a certain 60 votes for cloture on ANYTHING unorthodox (unCorpoRat)...
But it should be noted that as the Republicans go ultra far right into wingnuttia the Dems are seriously drifting right also. The Democratic party has been right of center for some time and they don't seem to be pulling back from that any.
... and for him, that's one big flip-flop indeed.
I heartily approve :)
Like Tim Robbins in "The Shawshank Redemption".
"[Arlen] crawled to freedom through five hundred yards of shit smelling foulness I can't even imagine, or maybe I just don't want too. Five hundred yards... that's the length of five football fields, just shy of half a mile."
Yeah, I imagine that's what it would be like, leaving the GOP.
LOLz
I'm just superstitious enough to hedge my bets.
To get it?
Watch out for swine flu, and unhinging of wingnuts driving pickup trucks with rifles in them.
..The Good News is the (hopefully) filibuster-proof majority.
The Bad News, which is mostly BAD for Specter, he hasn't won that election yet! Don't be counting the chickens before they hatch!
Mickey: "It was an epiphany. Do you know what an epipany is?"
Keoni: "NOT NOW MICKEY!"
a Rick Santorum comeback?
“Why would anyone with a functioning brain believe this guy?”
Some guy with an eating disorder
but he's gonna have a hard time with the canine vote.
Vote GOP and move forward to the 18th Century.
this is a good move by specter. 200k voters changed their registration to become (D). the (r) abandoned
their constituents. they were courting their base/evangelicals and forgeting the moderates. regardless
of what party you may be affiliated with the BUSH administration left a economic/financial mess for all americans. the economic gap has widened and changes need to be made. the (r) have NO answers/solutions to these challenges. essentially, they have alienated the working class conservative moderate (r)'s. although we shouldn't expect specter to vote along party lines it does provide an example of the ongoing identity crisis of the party of NO.
Reportedly, he still intends to vote against cloture on the Employee Free Choice Act ...
I would advise not to bet on that. It's his ticket to instant credibility with PA labor.
Vote GOP and move forward to the 18th Century.
Wow, good for Specter. Gutsy move. Watch the nutters go insane.
Now the GOP will throw everything they have at keeping Franken on ice.
Next up - Coleman goes all the way to the Supreme Court (after he appeals unsuccessfully in MN), putting his case in the hands of Scalia, Alito and Clarence Thomas. They vote for a new election. Constitutional crisis, anyone?
But I don't trust it.
Okay
You're a jaded sob sister
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKce4rKqn7I&fe...
Diabolus est Deus Inversus
brought this moldy oldy to mind.
Enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyQUm0A5QGg
and the repig lites welcome one more repig to the dummcrats party, whos next ? rush? billo? liberman? pat robertson? welcome to the party of repig lites that allready has a big tent filled with circus clowns!
the party of endless bush wars gets one more enabler!
The party of irrelevance ... gotta love it.
how has it helped the dems to have the center righties in the party?
specter, yes, will help the party in total number of votes, but he will also act as another voice to pull the party further to the right.
this is good for the dem party, but bad for the left, imo.
It's called...the center.
The key to re-election...being in the middle.
Why was Clinton a successful President...because he satisfied and pissed off both sides of the political spectrum and governed to the middle.
Barack is doing the same thing.
Why did Bush II fail...cause he played only to the most extreme on the right.
Vote GOP and move forward to the 18th Century.
But it smells to high heaven to this skeptical sumbitch.
we can always hose down the place with Fabreze. ; 0 )
Vote GOP and move forward to the 18th Century.
to cleanse THAT stench, lol!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6q9nBusrq8
Diabolus est Deus Inversus
this helps the dems, not the left.
and if you are a partisan and your concerns stop with the democratic party, then celebrate away. but i seem to recall many instances where it was right-leaning dems that prevented progressive legislation from being enacted, or that stood with the GOP when shit really counted.
celebrate away. yay!!
okay, maybe it also ensures re-election. but what does it not do? it prevents any real progressive measures from taking effect.
do we want universal healthcare? do we want an effective green energy policy? do we want out of Iraq/Afghanistan? do we want a realistic approach to the war on drugs? do we want equality for all individuals, regardless of sexual preferences? do we want to have a restoration of a political checks and balances (i.e. a move away from the idea of an all powerful unitary executive?)
you go middle of the road, and you can kiss all of those ideas goodbye
Want my 2 cents? No? ok...I'll give it anyway.
Spector votes yes on Employee Free Choice Act AND on Universal Healthcare.
Vote GOP and move forward to the 18th Century.
who knows, maybe specter has changed his mind from 4 days ago...
april 24
"The problems of a recession make this a particularly bad time to enact Employee's choice legislation," Specter said. "Employers understandably complain that adding a burden would result in further job losses. If efforts are unsuccessful to give labor sufficient bargaining power through amendments to the [National Labor Relations Act] then I would be willing to reconsider Employees choice legislation when the economy returns to normalcy. I am announcing my decision now because I have consulted with a very large number of interested parties on both sides and I have made up my mind."
(and Independent)
I agree with your title but maybe not the way you think. I have been threatened with (real, physical death) by conservatives more times than I can count. I have also been threatened socially and generally degraded by people on the far left.
My one fault seems to be I'm a cynic of any radical faith-based position, I refuse to drink anyone's koolaide. It matters not to me whether your blind faith is in the left or in the right. I want to see the benefit to humanity and morality of any position.
As a moderate, I'm actually for all of the things on your list. Maybe not for the exact reasons you are, but .. can you say everyone wants those things for exactly the reasons you do? Are you willing to not accept the support of people who want to work for them but who aren't "purists" in your eyes?
I'm really worried about the polarization of politics. When moderates receive death threats for not being radical enough (in either direction), civil society and discourse is broken. That will also mean you can kiss all your ideas goodbye, we'll all be too busy preparing for the impending civil war.
I'm lukewarm on Specter's record. Maybe we should start convincing him why it's practical for him to vote for some of these issues more often rather than screaming about labels to actually make progress in this country again?
Or maybe both sides are right, and I'm a crazy dreamer and we all can't get along anymore. That would mean I'm a good 6 months behind on my ammunition buying. Dang.
They used to be called fence-sitters.
Diabolus est Deus Inversus
I'm not suggesting that everyone has to agree all of the time, nor am I suggesting that we should adopt and "us vs. them" ideology. It's important to have open and honest debate and, yes, to be subjected to differing opinions.
My concern is that there is too much of an attempt by the "centrists" to adopt a centrist attitude in an attempt to be more...accomodating?... that they actually abandon many of the principles outlined above. I don't know where Specter stands on these things -- I just know what his voting record is. Perhaps he'll start voting in accordance with what he has professed in the past, rather than vote in seeming opposition to his own desires.
Still, adopting more Arlen's into the party is not going to help advance these sort of progressive initiatives. If anything, it dilutes our ability to do so.
While the divisive tone worries me ... the Republican Party has become the party of the far right (obviously). Yet, I agree with what you see: the Democratic Party is trying to become the party of the center.
The leaves the far left with ... what?
I'm a centrist by ideology (and was raised in DC in an era where that wasn't a dirty word), some issues I do lean left, others I lean right. I do sympathize with the left currently being in a position where neither party's identity caters to them with the current drift of the two major parties. You guys are where I was about 25 years ago ... both parties seem to be becoming more hostile to your personal ideology. I see (and agree with) your issues with Arlen's voting history.
I will give props to this board. I frequent many sites on the left, and I am attacked less here for not being a 100% disciple than on most. I do realize I am posting on an unabashed leftist site.
Maybe it is time for a third party?
MAYBE? PFFFFFT!
It's WAAAAAAAAAAY past due for a third, fourth or fifth IMHO!
Hey. I'm not a 100% disciple either, welcome to club.
I am pretty left leaning on most issues though...but only one or two do I lean to the right.
...Greens!
I'm just superstitious enough to hedge my bets.
not at all hechicera you have come to the [right] place and thier are few real liberals here ! for the most part the center or right of center hang out here, the real liberals left a short time ago ,they realised that the repig lites took over and were just getting shouted down when they pointed out the simulartys of the obama party and the bush party, and now were only left with a bastardised brand of democrats ,lord love a duck ,
didn't 'fail' from a reich-wing perspective. He got himself installed into office twice, had himself a couple of nice wars going and managed to raid the US economy before leaving...
He's a sociopathic bastard - but he didn't fail - did just what he and Dick and Pappy had in mind.
"Egotism is the anesthetic that dulls the pain of Stupidity" - Frank Leahy
No matter how any of us sees this, today is a bad day for Republicans. Which makes it a good day for Democrats.
Spector is an old political professional. He is also a mean nasty SOB with a long memory.
He's gonna shove it right up the ass of the GOP right wing on some close vote.
It's just a matter of what.
I have the popcorn ready!
Vote GOP and move forward to the 18th Century.
bad day for the GOP
Remember, the average citizen can barely tear his/herself away from American Idol long enough to vote. Most will see this in simple terms - "long time senator switches teams" - this is very bad for the repugs.
on the surface, in he said/she said newsertainment, this will be a HUGE score for the democrats. and the majority of americans (if they even know who specter is) will read the headline, shrug, and see how the dems are furthering their hold on power.
but, when it comes to the actual issues/legislation, this will hurt the progressive cause, as specter will join forces with the conservative dems. it also hurts the dems courting of more left-leaning voters too. of course, that is just my opinion.
You may be (are probably) right on the effect within the dem party. But I'm willing to accept that if this is a step towards a permanent republican minority.
Wow. I actually thought this was a joke at first but it sounds like it's the real deal. The Reps must be sh*tting themselves.
Watch Lieberman switch to Republican...
It's called the American Dream because you have to be asleep to believe it.
-George Carlin
nuff said
n/t
but only if he decides he's going to retire. He may not win re-election...but he has NO shot at all if he runs on the GOP ticket.
Vote GOP and move forward to the 18th Century.
I thought of that. I also thought of Spector becoming a Lieberman like figure and holding the party back but we have a much stronger majority now than we did in 2006. Let them do their worst. The Dems are still in charge.
for how he has been treated by his party, and how they made light of his brain tumor
Can't they find a decent candidate who ISN'T corrupted by unqualified support for the GOPukes for the last 30 years?
I wouldn't vote for specter to such runny shit through a flavo-straw...
This is the guy who said there was a magic bullet in the KILLING OF KENNEDY! Yeah, there's a plan here. This snake needs to be "inside" the Democratic party. Milk the snake for the venom and then chop his head off.... And give it to the mob. Where is Al Franken?
The Peace!
And now it behooves the Democratic party of Pennsylvania to primary him with a solid progressive. Hold Arlen's feet to the fire. If he can flip-flop on party identification, he sure as hell can vow to vote for EFCA if he wants the support of the labor vote in return.
Change Partners
Rats are leaving the sinking ship that is the Republican Party-
Sorry, but I think once a Republican, always a Republican- The Democrats should refuse to allow Specter into their party- otherwise he might pull a Joe Lieberman and try and damage the party from within.
Why isn't Specter becoming an Independent?
"Last year, more than 200,000 Republicans in Pennsylvania changed their registration to become Democrats."
Vote GOP and move forward to the 18th Century.
I just he doesn't try and undermine the Democrats the way Lieberman did...
Damn that's beautiful
NOBODY 2012
but all these republicans switchin to the Dems...it just seems like a set up to me.
Like they're gonna wait until we're all nice and cozy, and then BAM!
will be switching to (R) in
3...2...1..
good point, ol backstabber joe. (pssss. 'It all about the MONEY")
...Ever left Congress broke...
Can join the Likudniks for all I care
This could be another attempt at republicans attempting to infiltrate the democratic ranks, then turning it into something it isn't. I don't trust either party, but this may not be a good thing.
I'm curious how FOX news and Rush the Hutt will spin this....What do you think?
Arlum Rectum over, stay away
Because the further to the right they go, they will lose all credibility of being a legitimate sourse of news, and lose viewers by the thousands.
center now Tom? to the right of Attila the Hun?
For the right wing, the center would be believing in science,and believing that gravity is what keeps us from floating off into space, not giant magnets in Hell...
when I first started voting, Specter was an extremist Right winger.
Arlen has been in politics a LONG time. His closest Senatorial friend is Ted Kennedy.
Go back, and look at his voting record...particularly prior to the GOP losing it's mind back in the mid 90s.
He often horse traded with Sen. Kennedy to get legislation passed that each of them supported.
Vote GOP and move forward to the 18th Century.
that was Orin Hatch.
Senior moment. Forgive me.
Vote GOP and move forward to the 18th Century.
Another nut
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CjVKUap1HgU
But the right wing in control of the republican party didn't bother Specter when they were in power for the past eight years???
they were in the majority. Now...they are a shrinking minority.
And to be fair...you can't lay ALL of this at GW Bush's door. The last two majority classes of GOP political winners were some of the most extreme idealogues you will ever see...people like Gingrich, Frist, Delay, Santorum...just truly reprehensible types...even by political standards.
They sank the GOP.
Vote GOP and move forward to the 18th Century.
Specter was going to lose the Reep primary next year to a true bonehead who could not win the general, and we could have had a real Democrat in that seat. Now we have another Lieberman who cares nothing about loyalty, principle or the voters and is willing to do anything to keep his seat. Sure, we win today's news cycle -- hooray -- but it's six years of headaches after that.
"Government is the entertainment division of the military-industrial complex." - Frank Vincent Zappa
Specter is up there in age and has had chemo twice. Even if he gets the primary nod and wins the seat again in 2010, do you really think he'll keep his seat 8 more years?
Maybe Specter loses the Democratic primary. Maybe his cancer comes back and he chooses not to run.
BTW, he's trailing in the polls to Toomey because the vast majority of the registered Republicans (150K-200K) who supported Specter in the GOP primary in '04 switched their affiliation to vote in the Democratic presidential primary last year. PA has closed primaries.
Don't try to confuse the issue with half-truths and gorilla dust.
What about MA?
Diabolus est Deus Inversus
She's playin' with PA's kettle.
Vote GOP and move forward to the 18th Century.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6jWRMANEz0
Diabolus est Deus Inversus
Of course it's not a done deal yet. I'm sure the Reps will be pressuring him to stay. We'll see. I just can't wait to hear the right wing talking head go crazy over this. Let the fun begin.
No politician makes an announcement that he is going to backtrack from.
That's political death. It is done.
Vote GOP and move forward to the 18th Century.
He's going to really regret doing the same thing the other way half a decade ago and knowing that, out of the pair, he'll look like the actual fool. Whether or not Specter's a Republicrat more than a Democrat, he's not stupid enough to shoot down his legacy, just to goose-step with the rest of the party. Good use of common sense, Arlen. Anyway, I just hope Snowe switches, too.
Who was going to run against him as a Democrat for his senate seat? This could be bad news of a pro-working class, pro-Obama, anti-war Democrat was all set to run against Specter in the next election.
Bob Casey? Pro-life Bob Casey?
Maybe Ed Rendell- who lost the primary to Casey in '06- runs again. And maybe PA Dems pick Rendell to run for the Senate. Maybe Specter wins the primary- wouldn't surprise me. Outside of Santorum (who coat-tailed Stupor Mundi in 2000), it seems to me that PA likes the middle of the road.
Don't try to confuse the issue with half-truths and gorilla dust.
All this means is that the Dems have an extra vote (and probably not a reliable one) for another 19 months. There's no guarantee that Specter would win the Democratic state primary, much less the 2010 election.
Will Specter support Obama's health care bill, if it comes to a vote before January, 2011? Who knows?
The Republicans lost not only a critical vote, but a veteran Senator who was one of the faces of their party. No one is sure what or if the Democrats have won today...but Republicans certainly lost.
heads explode now, right now blaming Obama for Sebelius not getting confirmed
Sebelius will be confirmed next week. FOX may be insane...but the GOP isn't so TOTALLY insane as to continue to block this nomination with an encroaching public health crisis.
Sebelius was being held up because of the wingnut fixation on abortion. Well, that dog won't hunt anymore.
The country has far bigger issues.
Vote GOP and move forward to the 18th Century.
Specter has proven time and time again that he cannot be trusted. Would he switch parties if he was not in such danger to lose his Senate seat?
He is a snake in the grass. When will he strike?
Relax people, today is a good day...nothing bad happened...to us.
He is a snake in the grass. When will he strike?
That's the GOP's talking point.
Vote GOP and move forward to the 18th Century.
I stand by calling him a snake in the grass. My distrust with him started with his Single Bullet Theory.
if you felt that way...I apologize.
I was just making a point. I'm sure that that has been the mantra on FOX all day...calling him...turncoat...neoliberal...closet liberal...etc etc.
Vote GOP and move forward to the 18th Century.
I understand your point. Thanks for clarifying.
We will just have to wait and see how he votes.
"Pennsylvania Sen. Arlen Specter will switch his party affiliation from Republican to Democrat and announced today that he will run in 2010 as a Democrat, according to a statement he released this morning."
Aaacckkk! It's not the Democrat party, it's the Democratic Party. Semantics, I know, but still...
[Small point. That is the quote from the source for this story, The Washington Post. We don't change those, so thanks for giving us a chance to point that out :) Sitemonitor]
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