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IDGAS

IDGAS

Jackson Heights, NY
March 2004

APR 28, 2009 09:26 AM

SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Penn., plans to seek re-election as a Democrat in 2010, according to media reports Tuesday. The five-term senator was first elected to the seat in 1980link



and from the New York Times

SPOILERS! (Click to view)
Senator Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania said he would switch to the Democratic party Tuesday, potentially presenting Democrats with a possible 60th vote and the power to break Senate filibusters as they try to advance the Obama administrationÂ’s new agenda.


This would be great news. The 60th vote, assuming the Norm and Al drama ever ends, and the continued fratricide within the Republican party.

Quella

Quella

USA
July 2008

APR 28, 2009 09:28 AM

Oh so much I want to say but can't!!!

Ok, I knew some of his neighbors, who are a very politically active liberal democratic family, who've had his ear forever. I'd like to think a few of them finally brought him in, not to mention the strong desire he must have to jump away from the sinking ship!!! biggrin

Let it be true!!! biggrin

gdarklighter

gdarklighter

San Diego, CA
August 2005

APR 28, 2009 09:30 AM

It's true, but as a progressive, I don't think it's all that great. Pennsylvania was almost certainly going to be a Democratic pickup in 2010, but now it'll be with a centrist like Specter instead of someone more progressive.

IDGAS

IDGAS

Jackson Heights, NY
March 2004

APR 28, 2009 09:35 AM

gdarklighter said:
It's true, but as a progressive, I don't think it's all that great. Pennsylvania was almost certainly going to be a Democratic pickup in 2010, but now it'll be with a centrist like Specter instead of someone more progressive.


But as a moderate Republican driven from the party by Bush et al Specter makes me happy.

I also hold grudges so watching my ex-party implode is both joyous and entertaining.

gdarklighter

gdarklighter

San Diego, CA
August 2005

APR 28, 2009 09:38 AM

IDGAS said:

gdarklighter said:
It's true, but as a progressive, I don't think it's all that great. Pennsylvania was almost certainly going to be a Democratic pickup in 2010, but now it'll be with a centrist like Specter instead of someone more progressive.


But as a moderate Republican driven from the party by Bush et al Specter makes me happy.

I also hold grudges so watching my ex-party implode is both joyous and entertaining.


I am certainly enjoying the implosion. I'm also hoping this means Specter can go back to supporting the Employee Free Choice Act.

ckdexterhaven

ckdexterhaven

USA
December 2005

APR 28, 2009 10:02 AM

This makes sense for him politically. He was going to get crushed by Toomey in the Republican primary. This isn't some "I've seen the light!" moment.

hawkorhandsaw

hawkorhandsaw

Chicago, IL
March 2009

APR 28, 2009 10:10 AM

He's been a centrist for most of his career, especially considering his pro-choice stance. He's helpful to the dems because he'll have serious and long time connections within the republican party with people who can help move legislation. he'll help open communication lines with sane republicans and he makes it even harder to get a filibuster.

all in all, a good thing.

IDGAS

IDGAS

Jackson Heights, NY
March 2004
silversoul7

silversoul7

Portland, OR
January 2008

APR 28, 2009 11:02 AM

The Republicans brought this on themselves. There seems to be a positive feedback loop: The Republicans keep getting more radicalized, which drives the centrists out of the party, thus furthering their radicalization. Specter may not be the kind of progressive that I would want in the Senate, but hey, it's Pennsylvania. I wonder how long before Snowe and Collins jump ship.

Coyotemike

Coyotemike

USA
May 2006

APR 28, 2009 11:07 AM

You mean, maybe we can get some shit done now?

datsun

datsun

Richmond, CA
October 2004

APR 28, 2009 11:30 AM

I don't think this will change much. He has said he won't blindly follow the party platform. Senator Specter has always voted his conscience on an issue-by-issue basis, which is why, as a Democrat, I respected him before this decision, and continue to do so.

datsun

datsun

Richmond, CA
October 2004

APR 28, 2009 11:31 AM

BTW, streaming video of the news conference on CNN.com

Homme

Homme

Los Angeles, CA
January 2009

APR 28, 2009 11:37 AM

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

Good work wingnuts. Keep up the craziness!

SomethingStupid

SomethingStupid

North Hollywood, CA
March 2004

APR 28, 2009 11:46 AM

Michael Steele, what do you think? Is this a wake up call and time for serious introspection in the Republican Party?

"Let's be honest," Steele says in a statement. "Senator Specter didn't leave the GOP based on principles of any kind. He left to further his personal political interests because he knew that he was going to lose a Republican primary due to his left-wing voting record.

"Republicans look forward to beating Sen. Specter in 2010, assuming the Democrats don't do it first."



Oh. All right then.

Coyotemike

Coyotemike

USA
May 2006

APR 28, 2009 11:49 AM

SomethingStupid said:
Michael Steele, what do you think? Is this a wake up call and time for serious introspection in the Republican Party?

"Let's be honest," Steele says in a statement. "Senator Specter didn't leave the GOP based on principles of any kind. He left to further his personal political interests because he knew that he was going to lose a Republican primary due to his left-wing voting record.

"Republicans look forward to beating Sen. Specter in 2010, assuming the Democrats don't do it first."



Oh. All right then.



I guess Steele is still pretending that he has any credibility or say in the GOP.

Toku666

Toku666

Columbus, OH
May 2004

APR 28, 2009 11:54 AM

"Left-wing voting record..."

*shakes head*

SomethingStupid

SomethingStupid

North Hollywood, CA
March 2004

APR 28, 2009 11:56 AM

Coyotemike said:
I guess Steele is still pretending that he has any credibility or say in the GOP.



I have it on good authority that he da man.

datsun

datsun

Richmond, CA
October 2004

APR 28, 2009 12:54 PM

Toku666 said:
"Left-wing voting record..."

*shakes head*



When you're that far right, the center is "left wing" by comparison. And I'm a Communist or something. whatever

meatpieboy

meatpieboy

Korea, D.P.R.
June 2004

APR 28, 2009 01:15 PM

datsun said:
I don't think this will change much. He has said he won't blindly follow the party platform. Senator Specter has always voted his conscience on an issue-by-issue basis, which is why, as a Democrat, I respected him before this decision, and continue to do so.



+1.

silversoul7

silversoul7

Portland, OR
January 2008

APR 28, 2009 01:27 PM

Nate Silver describes this as being bad news for Republicans more than it's good news for Democrats.

Stiles

Stiles

Oakland, CA
November 2002

APR 28, 2009 02:51 PM

silversoul7 said:
Nate Silver describes this as being bad news for Republicans more than it's good news for Democrats.



Yep.

It is definitely bad news for the GOP since Specter is a senior power player in several key committees. He goes, they lose that. It's no great gift to democrats since he's not a reliable dem vote, and he will be in competition with other dem legislators to chair some of those committees once he becomes a dem and gets re-elected (which is far from a sure thing).

The symbolism of moving a 40 year GOP power player to the "D" column is still pretty impressive, though. It signifies the extent of the decline in power of the modern GOP and puts a face on exactly how extremist the remaining party loyalists have become.

smithers_jones

smithers_jones

I'm lost
November 2003

APR 28, 2009 03:06 PM

gdarklighter said:
I am certainly enjoying the implosion. I'm also hoping this means Specter can go back to supporting the Employee Free Choice Act.



Not likely. He's already saying he will oppose and nor has he said that he would support a cloture vote.

Coyotemike

Coyotemike

USA
May 2006

APR 28, 2009 04:06 PM

Maybe he was just tired of having to take orders from Assyface Limbaugh.

SockPuppet

SockPuppet

I'm lost
July 2006

APR 28, 2009 04:17 PM

Coyotemike said:
You mean, maybe we can get some shit done now?



Bear in mind, this means that the Dems in the Senate have just gotten more right-wing...

quietlythere

quietlythere

USA
June 2004

APR 28, 2009 04:19 PM

One must also remember that Spector started out as a Democrat, however early in his career he was convinced to become a Republican by very influential political players.

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