This just in..........
Liberal Pennsylania Republican Senator Arlen Specter is about to switch parties and become a Democrat. Specter was facing a stiff primary rematch from within the G.O.P. by Pat Toomey.
Specter intends to run for reelction as a Democrat but the immediate impact will be of more significance. If Specter caucuses with the Democrats, they may reach the 60 members needed to comprise a fillibuster proof majority in the Senate. If the Minnesota race concludes in Al Franken's favor, (as it looks it will, Specter will be the key to reaching that magic number
Specter's decision to switch parties is one that many Republican insiders appreciate. Many feel the G.O.P. will not miss him and that his exit from the party makes room for a stronger candidate to run against him in the general election.
Shades of opportunism seem to darken the move.
The last time Specter ran, Toomey almost defeated Specter for the nomination. this time, it looked like Specter was certain to lose the nomination. So by switching parties, Specter holds on to the chance of at least running in the general election. The move also permits Specter the opportunity for more power by aligning with the existing Democrat majority.
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"Name one time Obama was in Kentucky.Just one." 5/12/08 to give a speech in Louisville for the Kentucky Democratic Primary.
That was the proper response to give. First you were bashing moderate republicans. So I stated why thats a bad idea for your party. And your response was to bash moderate republicans. Whatev. Its your party. You guys can kill it if you want to.
You already said that,you idiot.
See, this is why people are leaving the Republican Party. Anyone that isn't a far right conservative gets called a "RINO", and are unwelcome in the party. But keep it up! People like you, David, are the reason why members are leaving the party and why other members are getting their asses kicked in elections.
Let`s see...Collins voted with Obama on the ARRA ,which is only deepening us further into debt not helping us out,she voted against the Partial-Birth Abortion Act,and she voted for the SCHIP bill,which I really wouldn`t have any problem with had it not been for the fact that it requires tax hikes by 2300% on certain tobacco products.And I might add that the majority of smokers are of little class.It`s punishing the poor for their way of life.
See, this is why people are leaving the Republican Party. Anyone that isn't a far right conservative gets called a "RINO", and are unwelcome in the party. But keep it up! People like you, David, are the reason why members are leaving the party and why other members are getting their asses kicked in elections.
You like her because she`s a RINO.
Name one time Obama was in Kentucky.Just one.
Specter left the Republican party because they're turning into a bunch of loons. You have a governor talking about secession, a congressmen using Genesis as the reason to oppose legislation, a congresswoman talk about secret re-education camps, a mainstream news network trying to speak on behalf of the party, and the "grass roots" loving it. THAT is why Specter bailed. I hope Susan Collins gets out of that insane group too. I like her, and I want her to remain in office for a while and not get voted out just like every other Republican seems to be doing.
"At least the GOP pays any attention at all to states like PA.Unlike Obama,who just ignored and snubbed Kentucky altogether." Is this for real? Obama's efforts are by far the broadest we've seen in any recent campaign. He was even campaigning and advertising in Alaska until Palin was picked. McCain didn't even bother to try to defend North Carolina or Indiana until the last few weeks of the election, and even then spent most of his time in one big state: Pennsylvania. He snubbed Wisconsin, Iowa, Michigan, New Jersey, and other traditional swing states to focus on one big prize.
Any person with half a brain in their skull would know that Specter only did it to save his own ass.It has no real substance,just political show.This proves the man has no principles.And he was voted one of the best 10 Senators? ha ha ha.There must be a hella of a lot more crooks in Washington then I thought then.
I'm glad Specter left the GOP. Olympia Snowe was just on MSNBC; she said she has no plans to leave the Republican Party. I thought maybe should would. I hope my homsegirl Susan Collins defects too.
At least the GOP pays any attention at all to states like PA.Unlike Obama,who just ignored and snubbed Kentucky altogether.Not that it matters to me,the only thing I would ever have to do with one of his campaign stops is to protest,but anyway,not the point.That showed that Obama was an elitist.And that he doesn`t stand a chance in states like this,because the majority of people here can actually see BO for what he is.
I have to admire the Republican idealism over Pennsylvania. Please follow McCain's example and keep wasting Republican resources there. :)
Brin, he nearly beat Specter last time in the primary and he won I believe three terms in a Democrat majority Congressional district. I think he could win election and re-election in a Democrat district and nearly beat an incumbent in a primary five years ago, he stands a decent chance of winning in 2010, especially given Specter's age.
Toomey can't win statewide.
Get ready for Pat Toomey!
No Bush or Santorum, true. Now he's stuck with the support of such unsavory characters as President Obama, Gov. Rendell, and Sen. Casey.
Specter is not a clear shot to the win in 2010. And this was a sole act to ensure he stayed in power for the sake of power. He was going to lose the primary and he knew it this time. No Bush or Santourm to save him this time.
You might see Specter side with the GOP on some things - he's a fairly independent voter.
I am not going to say I am glad to see Specter leave the party, he never was a Republican at heart. He belongs in the Dem party. It is to bad they will have 60 votes, the only good thing about that is when the Dems veer to the extreme left, and they will, and the country begins to look like Europe the American people will have to blame the Dems regardless of how the media spins it. Specter is no great loss for the GOP, they will be a stronger party in the long run. We need for someone to step up, I ma not happy with Steele.
Spector made the move to keep his seat in senate b/c then all the "give me give me" lazy non working dems in Philly would vote him basedon the (d)following his name ... I say good riddens Mr. Spektor you sucked!
The Spector of a Democratic Specter isn't going to make a ratsass difference one way or another, as he votes the way he wants to regardles of what either party suggests for him. I'm starting to favor term limits.
It doesn't matter. We need to get rid of Republicans and Democrats. Both parties are responsible for this huge debt and for eroding civil liberties.
Imagine.....speaking of shit, it would seem as though you are the one picking it up for Specter. have fun cleaning up after him. Try to spin this as a profile in courage as much as you want but it doesn't fly. If he is not a believer in either ideology than he should run as an Independent. Joe Lieberman did that and he won. Regardless of your defnese of Specter, I do not see this as betrayal, he was never an ideological believer. This situation just proves that Specter is out for one person......himself. What he did today was not a profile in courage, it is a profile of cowardice, opportunism and greed. Having such a person carry the liberal banner of the Democrats and their water is not something I would be proud of. But then again I would have little reason to be proud of the accomplishments of the Democrat party altogether if I subscribed to it.
True brinmat. If Susan Collins and Olympia Snow deffect as well, the dems will have 62 Senators before too long. And who knows how many others may follow suit.
Though I'm not longer a democrat, i'd much rather have the democrats control the Senate than the Republicans. Lib411, its time to celebrate. Specter is #59, and as soon as those idiots in Minnesota wake up and seat Franken, the Dems will have the magic number.
"And let the purge begin! Specter`s only the first liberal Republican to go." Please do. The Democrats would love to end up with 70 or 80 seats in the Senate.
I am with Imagine!! Spector did the right thing, because the right wing kooks have taken over the asylum!
Kemp I thought you said Republicans are turning the ship around? But by my count you guys still suck! Franken won, Tedisco lost, and Spector joins the Democrats!! So please tell me where this Republican awakening is taking place?
Kemp, youre the one thats full of shit. Specter was never a partisan Republican. If switching parties helps him get reelected, then he should do it. Its not like he's dedicated to either party. He's a real middle of the road guy, so whats it matter? If anyone expects Specter to vote based on party, they have another thing coming. Republicans just don't like him because he's not ignorant enough to call for secession because a democrat kicked ass in the presidential election. And I heard the Dems aren;t running anyone against specter in the primary, so complain all you want, this senate race is already won.
Specter is is full of more crap than a stable floor. He just claimed that he surveyed the state (Pennsylvania) and concluded that the GOP has moved too far to the right. He cited the Republican position on the recent stimulus package as an example. The truth is that he surveyed the state and found out that he would lose the Republican nomination to Pat Toomey and that it was impossible for him to win reelcetion as an Independent. His pollster actually told him that. The survey that Specter took was a political poll determining his hold on power. What Specter actually did was say "the hell with principles, I want to die in office regardless of what I stand for". I have tried to be respectful of Specter. He has sacrificed a great deal to serve in the public eye and he played a critical role in the confirmation of probably the most conservative justice on the Supreme Court, Clarence Thomas. However, this moves makes me question his reasons for achieving confirmation of a conservative justice. I tend to think that he did so simply to win favor with the President that appointed Thomas and to have some I.O.U's made out in his name. All I can say is, after hearing you blatantly lie about your reasons for switching parties, good riddance Arlen! Don't let the doors of the senate chambers hit 'ya where the good Lord slit 'ya!
Lib, don't even talk about Santorum. He's a jack ass and no one likes him. I heard he is thinking about running for PA governor. He has no chance in hell of winning, but it pisses me off that he is arrogant enough to run. But I think PA is going to get a shitty governor no matter what next election. I don't know who to vote for. Hopefully someone good runs. I'm not voting for Casey or Santorum.
OK libbs that makes a little more sense...lol I was wondering why you surrendered that so easy.............
I don't have to have laws passed I meant to say oops!
Match and point libby. That is a fundamental freedom. You want to treat the symtem I want to treat the cause
Hey Kemp what happened to cervative jackass Rick Sanatation?
If I had to act, speak or think a certain way just to get support, I'd rather have no support. I'd rather stand against the world alone than pretend to be something I'm not just for support. I'd rather be hated for who I am than loved for who I am not.
I do have to have laws passed to ban religion, because stats show less and less people are buying religions stupidity anyways.
don't make me regret voting for you imagine
Lib, how dare you! How dare you support minimizing suffering! You jerk! Don't you know, good, decent, moral people don't give a shit about suffering? When will you compassionate jerks wake up!
my view is this if we must give our freedom up to minimise suffering the price is too high. I care libby you know that.............
Lib, how dare you! How dare you support minimizing suffering! You jerk! Don't you know, dood, decent, moral people don't give a shit about suffering? When will you compassionate jerks wake up!
don't get me wrong Imagine libby and I are friends who argue politics. Without offence being taken on either side.
minimizing suffering as opposed to not caaring about the suffering, well if that is your view then yes!
And let the purge begin! Specter`s only the first liberal Republican to go.
I never saw lib411 suggesting actually passing laws to eliminate reliion or national identity.
you have made stances against National identity, religion of any kind,(exept athisim) for Nationalized healthcare state childcare, against home schooling................ I'm not being mean here libby, I am pointing out your view is one that minimizes human suffering but not a view to govern by. TOOO many freedoms are lost
I'm glad Specter switched parties. I've been a supporter for Specter since I started following politics. I had every intention of voting for him regardless of his party. ...untill recently that is, when Arlen Specter, a senator known for his support of the working class started attempting to block the EFCA from reaching the Senate. I was going to not vote for Specter in protest, but being that its either him or Toomey, I'm going to have to vote Specter. Aside from the EFCA issue, I like Specter.
FYI - Arlen Specter to speak at 2:15 (Eastern time)
Mm says, "You prefer government to do everything from childcare medical finance destruction of religion destruction of national identity", what I'd prefer is to debate with someone rational because no offense MM that comment is not worth talking about. When you have a rational thought and put some thought behind it, talk to me then.
liberals unplugged? Well Americans sure as hell saw what happens when you let republicans controll everything, how did that work out for Americans? Well we all know that answer!
You prefer government to do everything from childcare medical finance destruction of religion destruction of national identity........ the whole gambit
The prospect of Arlen Specter providing the vote needed to achieve cloture and allow Democrats free reign of the senate is one that I have mixed feelings about. On one hand, the free reign of Democrats will produce an abundance of damaging legislation that will move us closer to the socialist utopia that the left imagines. That pains me. But on the other hand, the ability to push their extremist agenda through the senate will provide a wake up call to Americans that will account for a quick reversal of liberal control. Once Americans see the full impact of liberals unplugged, they will quickly correct their wrongs and erode the numbers of the current Democrat majority. So I feel a sense of disappointment to know that we may have to endure the negative effects of liberal control but I am emboldened by the fact that the experience will be a valuable lesson that voters will learn and correct by swinging back towards a Republican party that will have been made stronger by the thinning out of pseudo Republicans like Specter. We are living in a time of political realignment. It is a cycle that repeats itself. This happened after the ‘72 election when Democrats jumped ship because they saw their party heading too far to the left and it happened again in the 80’s when Republicans were increasing in numbers and Democrats were switching parties to jump on the bandwagon. Neither time signaled the permanent demise of the Democrat party and the same holds true for the Republican party today. The loss of weak Republicans at the ballot box and through moves of self preservation like Specter's are making way for a Republican resurgence comprised of individuals who have a true sense of core values that make them Republicans. The opportunity before us, as Republicans, and as Americans is great and we must use it to our advantage.
I am for good government, conservatives have no business running anything with a belief that government is bad because THEY DO MAKE IT BAD! MM, your party lost, and Republicans are going the way of the DODO BIRD in the North East, so if you think digging up old men like Newt Gingrich is going to bring Conservatives back into power, you need to give me your drug dealers number because he has sold you some amazing shit!
you are for BIIIIG assed government no responsibility and free love........ with anything
well libby I didn't realize all people must believe the way you do.
swept away from WHAT? HAHAHAHA, they problem is CONSERVATIVES! You clowns do have a time machine, so if you have visions of 1993, you've got a rude awakening head for you!
True. Specter has been a rat for a long time.
hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha, damn it sucks to be Republi-turds! No one wants to be one! They lost in Minnesota, they lost the special election in New York, and now they are down another Senator! As they say, when the ship starts to sink, the rats head for the exits!
So true Smashey. As I stated here, it is opportunism and the need to hold on to power that is the motivating factor here. Self preservation was the root of the switch.
He switched because it is the only chance he has in 2010. He would have lost in the GOP primary and he knows it. He is doing it for himself and himself only. I feel sorry for the people of PA.
It will be interesting to see the reaction of the state in the next few weeks. Also it will be interesting to see the agenda the Dems now push.
Good riddens.
Statement by Sen. Arlen Specter:
I have been a Republican since 1966. I have been working extremely hard for the Party, for its candidates and for the ideals of a Republican Party whose tent is big enough to welcome diverse points of view. While I have been comfortable being a Republican, my Party has not defined who I am. I have taken each issue one at a time and have exercised independent judgment to do what I thought was best for Pennsylvania and the nation.
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.
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 reelection in 2010 in the Democratic primary.
I am ready, willing and anxious to take on all comers and have my candidacy for reelection determined in a general election.
I deeply regret that I will be disappointing many friends and supporters. I can understand their disappointment. I am also disappointed that so many in the Party I have worked for for more than four decades do not want me to be their candidate. It is very painful on both sides. I thank specially Senators McConnell and Cornyn for their forbearance.
I am not making this decision because there are no important and interesting opportunities outside the Senate. I take on this complicated run for reelection because I am deeply concerned about the future of our country and I believe I have a significant contribution to make on many of the key issues of the day, especially medical research. NIH funding has saved or lengthened thousands of lives, including mine, and much more needs to be done. And my seniority is very important to continue to bring important projects vital to Pennsylvania's economy.
I am taking this action now because there are fewer than thirteen months to the 2010 Pennsylvania Primary and there is much to be done in preparation for that election. Upon request, I will return campaign contributions contributed during this cycle.
While each member of the Senate caucuses with his Party, what each of us hopes to accomplish is distinct from his party affiliation. The American people do not care which Party solves the problems confronting our nation. And no Senator, no matter how loyal he is to his Party, should or would put party loyalty above his duty to the state and nation.
My change in party affiliation does not mean that I will be a party-line voter any more for the Democrats that I have been for the Republicans. Unlike Senator Jeffords' switch, which changed party control, I will not be an automatic 60th vote for cloture. For example, my position on Employees Free Choice (card check) will not change.
Whatever my party affiliation, I will continue to be guided by President Kennedy's statement that sometimes party asks too much. When it does, I will continue my independent voting and follow my conscience on what I think is best for Pennsylvania and America.
Now will he change his mind on Card Check? The damage is going to be far greater for the next year or so.
The fact is with out Specter we could have had a tougher time getting 2 outstanding Supreme Court Justices.
the damage has already been done by letting this RINO back in office. I applaud his descision and he, among all others will be swept away in the conservative movement
Par-tay!
In the mean time the Dems will have 60 with Fraken when he is seated. So the damage will be done.
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