Sen. Specter’s Apocalyptic Explanation
EmailABC News’ David Chalian reports: Sen. Arlen Specter R-Penn., found himself yet again explaining his decision to break ranks with his party and support President Obama’s $787 billion stimulus package last month and he used dramatic language to do so. "I think we’re on the brink of a depression," Sen. Specter said to reporters in Harrisburg, PA on Monday. "I think that if we had turned it down it would have been repercussions world wide," he added. The moderate Republican was one of three members of his party in the Senate who crossed the aisle and voted in favor of the president’s plan. Sen. Specter, however, is the only one of the three up for reelection next year and facing the prospect of a serious primary challenge from fiscal conservative Pat Toomey of the Club for Growth. Mr. Toomey gave Specter a run for his money in the 2004 Republican primary when he narrowly lost to the incumbent by roughly 17,000 votes of just over 1 million cast. Sen. Specter is fully aware of the vulnerability on his right flank which may be why he painted such a dire and mysterious economic outlook when speaking with reporters today. "I knew that it would be politically perilous and I’ve been very blunt about it," he said. "Our economic problems are enormously serious, more serious than is publicly disclosed," Specter said without shedding any further light on what is being shielded from public view. ABC News’ Lindsey Ellerson contributed to this report.
Sen. DeMint: GOP Race Could Go Until Convention 
Obama Avoids Questions on Contraception Rule
Warren Buffet said the same thing today…we were in moral peril of complete collapse, and further that americans need to drop their politics and pull together to get us out of this mess..congradulations Senator Spector, you did the right thing for the country..
Posted by: cowgirl | March 9, 2009, 7:12 pm 7:12 pm
Just a few GOPers get it. He is one, and in 2010 the voters will know it.
Posted by: Thinking | March 9, 2009, 9:21 pm 9:21 pm
Cowgirl, well said! The same Republicans who chanted “country first” in their convention are now chanting “party first”. This is no time for partisan politics..either we get together support the president and address the situation or die like fools together.
Posted by: Stanley | March 9, 2009, 9:23 pm 9:23 pm
I am sick of partisan politics! No one party has the monopoly on truth and all the right answers. One of the reasons that I like and respect Obama is that he said the formentioned. This is the time to put partisan politics aside for a while and come together to address the situation that we are in..I hope the good Republicans and Democrats would come together and work for the citizens of this country in this time of dire need. We sent you there to congress to represent us and make decisions that would be for the “betterment” of the country. Have a heart and allow commonsense to rule during the remaining months of this year and beyond. PARTISAN POLITICS SUCKS!
Posted by: Stanley | March 9, 2009, 9:34 pm 9:34 pm
C’mon Pat Toomey, you know you want to take on the old “magic bullet” one more time. We need a real whacko fundie nutjob like you to do it. Specter loses the primary and the GOP loses the seat.
Posted by: Peter Jackson | March 9, 2009, 9:35 pm 9:35 pm
kudos to Sen. Specter – WHile he fights to get something done, his colleagues continue to talk out of both sides of their mouth.
Republicans like Sens. Jon Kyl (R-AZ) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC), have been attacking the $410 billion omnibus spending bill, claiming that it has too much spending and too many earmarks. One of the loudest voices calling for the bill’s defeat has been Sen. David Vitter (R-LA), despite his earmarks worth $249 million for 142 projects. (From TP)
Posted by: Ranger | March 9, 2009, 9:38 pm 9:38 pm
The dynamics of partisan politics may be interesting and comical during times of prosperity but during times of economic depression PARTISAN POLITICS HAS NO PLACE, AND QUITE FRANKLY IS COUNTERPRODUCTIVE.
Posted by: Stanley | March 9, 2009, 9:39 pm 9:39 pm
I listen to people like Warren Buffet, Bill Gates, Colin Powell, Arlen Specter and yes, Barack Hussein Obama. People who genuinely love this country and want to see it progress. I do not listen to self serving people like Rush(the comedian) Limbaugh who is filthy rich and is not affected by the current economic downfall..he could care less what happens to the millions of Americanns who are suffering, ironically most of his listeners and supporters are poor and struggling. Thank you Arlen Specter for you patriotism and love for your country and putting country first ahead of partisan politics.
Posted by: Stanley | March 9, 2009, 9:45 pm 9:45 pm
Right On Arlen Specter! You have gained my respect. You are a principled man! Country first and party second! Way to go! I Hope Rush(the comedian)Limbaugh and Sean (Insanitty) Hanitty understand that concept.
Posted by: Stanley | March 9, 2009, 9:58 pm 9:58 pm
Good night America! Oh how I love my country..I’ve travelled all over the world and there’s none like the good old US of A. I love Obama and now I love Arlen Specter. I am entertained by Rush(the comedian)Limbaugh and others. God bless America and the rest of the world! God bless Arlen Specter too! Good man! principled man! Moderate Republican(translated to Republican with commonsense who places country first).
Posted by: Stanley | March 9, 2009, 10:03 pm 10:03 pm
Arlen Specter is supported by the unions. He does whatever they want him to do.
Posted by: Janet | March 9, 2009, 10:04 pm 10:04 pm
Americans should be appraised of the fact that this recession is worldwide and we are not alone in the struggle to regain some modicum of economic upswing. Truth be told the United States economic situation affected the whole world.. there is a modicum of truth in the proverbial saying that ‘When America sneezes the whole world catches a cold’ So don’t blame Obama as some Republicans are doing now but support him and the stimulus package..lets give it a little time to work..you cannot expect Obama to correct in five weeks a situation that was caused by eight years of mismanagement(Republicans/Democrats). THANK YOU ARLEN SPECTER FOR YOUR HONESTY IN PUTTING PARTISAN POLITICS ASIDE FOR THE GOOD OF OUR BELOVED NATION.
Posted by: Stanley | March 9, 2009, 10:12 pm 10:12 pm
Sen. Arlen Specter, Patriot.
Posted by: godblessusa | March 9, 2009, 10:20 pm 10:20 pm
Janet, It is apparent that you do not support the stimulus package and thats okay..I have to respect you for your opinion..but can you tell us an alternative plan that could pull us out of this situation? The problem I have with some Republicans(I’m assuming you are a Republican)..is that they criticize the plan but give no alternative or solution..Just plain old partisan politics! Its so ridiculous its not funny anymore because innocent people(Republicans and Democrats alike are suffering) and yet some of these ‘mini me’ politicians are playing games..why am I not surprised! we played the same stupid game and have >4000 young impressionable and wonderful lost lives to show for it. PARTISAN POLITICS SUCKS AND KILLS!
Posted by: Stanley | March 9, 2009, 10:21 pm 10:21 pm
Gotta go for Specter on this one – if Toomey gets the nod then there’s a good chance the Dems will win the seat…
Posted by: 1percenter | March 9, 2009, 10:24 pm 10:24 pm
godblessamerica, well said! May God bless you too and all Americans and the world..May we endeavor to do what’s right politically and otherwise, and not embrace partisan politics that tells us to do otherwise (vis a vis Rush the comedian Limbaugh and Sean insanitty Hannity). Good Republican and Democrats(Republicrats or Independents) lets come together for the good of our country and put partisan politics aside for a while.
Posted by: Stanley | March 9, 2009, 10:29 pm 10:29 pm
I applaud Sen Specter, my Senator from Pa who had the guts to put his country first and not his PARTY!
Posted by: Jwench | March 9, 2009, 10:36 pm 10:36 pm
Good night America! Lets work together to pull our country out of this mess..Lets stop the blame game and put our heads together and support our president at least in this initial phase of his presidency..the time and situation is too dire for playing partisan politics and games. Like Obama, I believe that our country’s economy will rebound robustly but we have to work together to achieve that. God bless America!
Posted by: Stanley | March 9, 2009, 10:40 pm 10:40 pm
jwench, I join you in applauding Sen Arlen Specter! I say hurrah x 1000!
Posted by: Stanley | March 9, 2009, 10:44 pm 10:44 pm
Nothing to applaud with Specter except maybe the miracle that he and our other democans and republicrats continue to get elected time and time again. The solution is getting fresh blood in there or better yet a third party that actually represents Americans and not special interests. Partisan issues are nothing but a smokescreen considering they all work from the same playbook. If you think our situation is dire then DO SOMETHING about it in 2010 and stop voting the very people responsible for this mess back into office.
Posted by: rightofcenter | March 9, 2009, 11:02 pm 11:02 pm
Nothing to applaud with Specter except maybe the miracle that he and our other democans and republicrats continue to get elected time and time again. The solution is getting fresh blood in there or better yet a third party that actually represents Americans and not special interests. Partisan issues are nothing but a smokescreen considering they all work from the same playbook. If you think our situation is dire then DO SOMETHING about it in 2010 and stop voting the very people responsible for this mess back into office.
Posted by: rightofcenter | Mar 9, 2009 11:02:21 PM
How about we just don’t vote for any Republicans in 2010.(Except Specter and the two from Maine).
Posted by: Jwench | March 9, 2009, 11:23 pm 11:23 pm
Nothing to applaud with Specter except maybe the miracle that he and our other democans and republicrats continue to get elected time and time again. The solution is getting fresh blood in there or better yet a third party that actually represents Americans and not special interests. Partisan issues are nothing but a smokescreen considering they all work from the same playbook. If you think our situation is dire then DO SOMETHING about it in 2010 and stop voting the very people responsible for this mess back into office.
Posted by: rightofcenter | Mar 9, 2009 11:02:21 PM
How about we just don’t vote for any Republicans in 2010.(Except Specter and the two from Maine).
Posted by: Jwench | March 9, 2009, 11:23 pm 11:23 pm
Arlen Specter (born February 12, 1930) is the senior United States Senator from Pennsylvania and a member of the Republican Party. Elected in 1980, he is currently the 12th-most senior member of the U.S. Senate as well as 5th most senior Republican in this body.
Specter has been Pennsylvania’s senior senator since April 4, 1991. He is known as a moderate Republican,[1] with liberal leaning views for abortion, same-sex marriage and immigration. In April 2006, he was selected by Time as one of “America’s 10 Best Senators”.
As a republican, let me be the first here to say that this 79 year-old senator for 29 years really ought to go!
Our biggest problem is how we “the people” continue to unthinkingly vote foe the same ‘politicians’ over and over. Our nation’s condition reflects the results of our error.
Posted by: picomanning | March 10, 2009, 1:23 am 1:23 am
Specter speaks for the congregation of his kindred spirit; those democrats who deify government. If he loses his election there will be one less vote for liberalism, unless a liberal defeats him.
Posted by: picomanning | March 10, 2009, 1:31 am 1:31 am
What happened to all that “country first” blathering that the Republicans were doing during the campaign. They really rely on the assumption that the American people have very short memories.
Posted by: Brooklyn Democrat | March 10, 2009, 8:20 am 8:20 am
George W. Bush President of the recession. Barack Obama President of the Global depression.
Posted by: Angelo | March 10, 2009, 9:35 am 9:35 am
Now if only the GOP can CONVINCE an understandably anxious American populace that our economic troubles are a result of our newly-elected President Obama actions to the crisis. Just one more for the gipper “lights, camera and action!”
Posted by: tomcat27834 | March 10, 2009, 10:02 am 10:02 am
Once Specter, Snow, and Collins are gone, the Republican Party can change its name to Dixiecrats, Dixiecans or, perhaps, the Christo-Fascist Party of JesusLand….something appropriate. No matter what Republicans decide to call themselves………..they’ll need Moses to lead them out of the wilderness and a miracle like the parting of the Red Sea to return them to power. It’s going to be a great 40 years for Democrats!
Posted by: Sammy | March 10, 2009, 11:52 am 11:52 am
Pelosi, Dodd, Frank, and the rest of the demorats will be voted out of office in 2010.
Posted by: TruthBeTold | March 10, 2009, 12:15 pm 12:15 pm
It’s time for term limits for all politicians. No more “career politicians” whose primary concern is getting re-elected rather than effectively and honestly serving those who elected them.
Posted by: cactusdove | March 10, 2009, 12:39 pm 12:39 pm
BUFFET CRAMER SANTELLI WELCH BIGGS are all getting off the bus. They are tired of the failure that is Barack/Gietner.
Posted by: 401k poor | March 10, 2009, 12:45 pm 12:45 pm
cactusdove—why have term limits for any politicians? this is a democracy. the people decide who they wish to represent them. if they re-elect their representatives that is the peoples’ prerogative. term limits are undemocratic.
Posted by: Paul Wall | March 10, 2009, 12:53 pm 12:53 pm
I have always admired Senator Spector. He votes for what is right, not what the party tells him to do. I wish more congresspeople from all parties were more like him. We have a lady from the House of Representatives here in AZ named Gabrielle Giffords who is like that also and breaks rank once in awhile. These people are why I still have hope in this country.
Posted by: Rod M | March 10, 2009, 1:48 pm 1:48 pm
This man is a traitor along with most of our government. The people who were voted to work FOR us are working against us and we’re paying for it both literally and figuratively. Arlen should just come clean on the looting of the American people because we all know this is what happened. Time for the criminals to be put on trial and sent to jail!
Posted by: Karen | March 10, 2009, 2:00 pm 2:00 pm
i think everyone should quit paying their morgage for 3 months then the government will help pay it for us. I love barack.
Posted by: lazy bum | March 10, 2009, 2:07 pm 2:07 pm
Before you start kissing Arlen Spector, take a look at the pork in $787 billion stimulus package he wants? They are all way out of touch, and don’t have a friggin clue. I’m sure he will also take that automatic pay raise also. They are almost all crooks. The american people just don’t seem to care enough yet.
Posted by: Lash | March 10, 2009, 2:45 pm 2:45 pm
Partisan politics may be the last extravagance in which the baby-boomers indulge. We thank Senator Specter for his courage.
Posted by: rwrsok | March 10, 2009, 5:17 pm 5:17 pm
How can we get behind a president who refuses to lead? We are in the greatest financial crisis in decades, according to many. And what is the response of the Obama administration? They’ve spent the last two weeks talking about energy, healthcare, education, and stem cells.
Meanwhile, not a single deputy a the treasury department has been seated and Geithner is forced to handle this mess virually alone. When they do talk about the economy, all Obama, Clinton, Biden, Emmauel, etc. mention is what a great opportunity this crisis is for them politically. And you have the gall to question the Repubicans motives and accuse THEM of putting the party first? Look in the mirror guys.
Posted by: Ken | March 10, 2009, 6:32 pm 6:32 pm
Specter is toast in 2010……lets get a conservative this time around not a liberal that finally came out of the closet.
Posted by: will | March 10, 2009, 8:44 pm 8:44 pm
Most Republicans would rather watch this country go down in flames than lift a bipartisan finger to help a Democratic president get us out of the mess that they and their disastrous president created. They are rapidly becoming the party of negativity and irrelevance.
Posted by: DaveM | March 11, 2009, 8:47 am 8:47 am
I would vote for it too. Its not like his wifes bank gets $45,000,000.00 out of the deal now is it. If the money is getting handed out and your as old as he is you need to pad that nest before retirement. Glad he’s looking out for all those other folks as old as him. I think his wife only gets $43 million.
Posted by: liberaltiger | March 11, 2009, 9:10 am 9:10 am
If only the rest of our Congress had the courage and resolve that this man has..
Posted by: Ramage100 | March 11, 2009, 9:31 am 9:31 am
Arlen Specter is the only senator that the Republicans have that’s worth a darn. The rest of them are in the pocket of BIG BUSINESS. They care nothing for the interests of the average American. They only support the rich and the richer. I’m happy that President Obama will be President for 8 years to turn this country around. At last we have a real LEADER instead of a yellow coward who allowed 9-11 to happen.
Posted by: leftyintexas | April 27, 2009, 10:22 am 10:22 am