Arlen Specter switching to Democrat
Update I was totally right about him running scared from Pat Toomey. What a knobjob. Don’t think you have the votes on the right, Arlen?
“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.”
Good. There’s one malignant tumor off our asses and onto the DNC. I would warn the Dems that he’s more trouble than he’s worth. The man simply has no political compass to speak of. He’s not driven by any core principles other than the need to go against his own party.
I’ll be interested to see if this is similar to the Liebermann fiasco, in that he stays a GOP voter but basks in the media glow for awhile, or if he just chucks his principles overboard and becomes a Dem voter with similar but inverted idiosyncrasies.
It also bears mentioning that Specter is the victim of a huge GOP backlash after his stimulus bill vote and record of total bullshit. He’s up against the head of the Club for Growth in a primary challenge next election cycle, that is unless he switches parties…
I think I see where the true motivations are suddenly. Run, rabbit, run, but your conservative masters are coming for you, and your job is in jeopardy. What a man who can alter his party affiliation so quickly just for a better chance to stay in power. Men like Arlen Specter are the problem in our Guvamint today. They are there for power and to stay in power far ahead of any other reason. Disgusting.
Chris said,
April 28, 2009 at 10:59 am
One guy decides that putting party ideology over the good of the people is a bad idea and you guys chastise him? No wonder he’s switching.
regulusred said,
April 28, 2009 at 12:55 pm
Wait, what?
Specter is jumping because its his best chance to stay in power. Either he was a GOP the whole time and is forfeiting to stay in power, or he was a Dem the whole time and used the GOP moniker to get into power. If he had any class/balls/etc., he’d do the Phil Gramm and resign his post, running again under the other party when the election came up next (he won).
You’re not exactly giving the people what they voted for if you were elected as a GOPer and switch sides. Alternatively, you were lying the whole time, so really this is pathetic by a career politician in the worst sense of the word.
Also, its a fairly partisan statement to suggest that the good of the people was at stake in what letter is next to that idiot’s name
Chris said,
April 28, 2009 at 9:02 pm
Meh. 21% of people identify themselves as (R). They should count their blessings that there are more than 21 seats in the Senate identified as such. Anyway, of course I think that the good of the people is at stake if we have too many Republicans… I wouldn’t be a die hard liberal if I didn’t.
I would suggest that Specter’s move is not based on self-interest as AM Radio Inc. is trying to claim, but rather that he, like many others, has become disillusioned by a Republican party that has gone too far to the extreme right to be good for anyone. The ultimate test for this theory will be to see if any others jump ship, and while I wouldn’t put money on it, I always wouldn’t go so far as to claim it’s impossible.
That said, I’m quite happy that Specter came to his senses. Him + Franken = 60.
regulusred said,
April 29, 2009 at 12:20 pm
Regardless of how moderate Specter is, his voting record suggests he’s about 85% GOP or more. If he maintains this record, you will not have gained a whole lot.
If he changes his opinions, then there is little doubt his motivations are purely to stay in power, in my fabulous opinion. It would just mean his views are for sale for more years in office, which is quite commonplace in your party.
Why were they against card check in Mexico, but for it here? I forget. ROFLCOPTER.
Chris said,
April 29, 2009 at 4:16 pm
ROFLCOPTER? Oh dear.