Biden, Casey, Rendell Lobbied Specter to Switch
EmailAt 10:25 am, in the Oval Office for his Economic Daily Briefing, President Obama was handed a note.
“Specter is announcing he is changing parties," it read, a reference to Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Penn.
Seven minutes later the president was on the phone with Specter. “You have my full support," the president said, adding that he was "thrilled to have you.”
"Since my election in 1980, as part of the Reagan Big Tent, the Republican Party has moved far to the right," Specter said today in a statement. "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."
There’s some pragmatic politics at place here as well. Facing a grueling primary challenge against former Rep. Pat Toomey, R-Penn. — who almost defeated Specter in the GOP primary in 2004 — Specter could well have lost to Toomey this time. In a Quinnipiac poll last month among registered Pennsylvania Republicans, Specter trailed Toomey 27-41 percent. That poll showed that Specter had a 29 percent favorability rating among Republicans, compared with 60 percent among Democrats.
"I deeply regret that I will be disappointing many friends and supporters," Specter said, announcing that he is running for re-election in 2010 as a Democrat. "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."
Last month, the irrepressible Gov. Ed Rendell told a Pennsylvania cable channel that he, Sen. Bob Casey, D-Penn., and Vice President Biden from neighboring Delaware have all been lobbying Specter to switch.
"We’ve tried," said Rendell. "Myself, Senator Casey, Vice President Biden have tried to talk him into it, but he’s bound and determined to stay a Republican," Rendell said. "He doesn’t want to see Republican moderates banished from the earth."
Asked what would happen if Specter ran as a Democrat, Rendell said, "he’d be unopposed" in the primary and "he’d win 60-65 percent of the vote in the general election."
– jpt Photo credit: Pete Souza, White House photographer
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I’m with Spector. I don’t recognize the Republican party anymore. They aren’t a party, they are a far right wing mind-set.
Posted by: Ranger | April 28, 2009, 12:40 pm 12:40 pm
Well, well, well…
This certainly changes things, doesn’t it?
Posted by: Jan | April 28, 2009, 12:42 pm 12:42 pm
Asked what would happen if Specter ran as a Democrat, Rendell said, “he’d be unopposed” in the primary and “he’d win 60-65 percent of the vote in the general election.” of democrats that is and lose to Toomey overall
Posted by: DJ | April 28, 2009, 12:43 pm 12:43 pm
If he fails to represent the Republican party line, he should switch….
Posted by: Parallax View | April 28, 2009, 12:46 pm 12:46 pm
Good for Specter.
The Republican Party doesn’t seem to welcome moderates anymore, to their great loss.
Posted by: Lydia | April 28, 2009, 12:51 pm 12:51 pm
This could be the first of many moderate Republicans jumping ship. The ‘purists’ on the right wing are determined to make themselves irrelevant.
Specter has his faults, but he has always been one of the good guys in PA, and will be rewarded.
“I didn’t leave the Republican Party, the Republican Party left me.”
Posted by: teacheng | April 28, 2009, 12:52 pm 12:52 pm
Memo to the Gop
People are Dropping out of your Party Like Hot Potatoes, GET OUT OF THE FAR RIGHT LANE Get some Moderates Become Moderates yourselfs the Country Needs you unless you drop The Ilks of Hannity,Beck Limbaugh well 21 percent and dropping WELCOME TO THE DEMOCRAT PARTY SPECTER!
Posted by: Angie in Pa | April 28, 2009, 12:53 pm 12:53 pm
Specter was a Republican?
Posted by: Good Lt. | April 28, 2009, 12:55 pm 12:55 pm
At 10:25 am, in the Oval Office for his Economic Daily Briefing, President Obama was handed a note.
“Specter is announcing he is changing parties,” it read, a reference to Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Penn.
Seven minutes later the president was on the phone with Specter.
“You have my full support,” the President said, adding that he was “thrilled to have you.”
===================================
With The One’s (self-described) unparalleled ability to “reach across the aisle” and potential (self-assessed) to end partisanship in Congress, why would he care about Spector’s party affiliation?
Posted by: tjp612 | April 28, 2009, 12:56 pm 12:56 pm
Republicans have become the party of Rush Limbaugh.
They are NOT a big tent party any more.
They are shrinking to now 21%.
Posted by: Sara | April 28, 2009, 12:56 pm 12:56 pm
Spector hasn’t been a Rep in a long time anyway…no great loss, besides he’s gone (as are many) next election anyway…
Posted by: samhiguchi | April 28, 2009, 12:58 pm 12:58 pm
Is a “moderate” defined as one who caves to liberals?
Posted by: tjp612 | April 28, 2009, 12:58 pm 12:58 pm
This is pure self-preservation, as he’s doing it so he has a chance of running in the general election next November, instead of being destroyed by Toomey in the primary. As for those of you who continue to spew liberal talking points about the Republican party, please quit that crap, and keep following your hero Obama as he leads us into socialism.
Posted by: Steve from Wisconsin | April 28, 2009, 1:00 pm 1:00 pm
>The Republican Party doesn’t seem to welcome moderates anymore, to their great loss.
Ummm…didn’t the GOP just run the poster boy for the GOP moderates – John “Maverick” McCain – in the last election cycle? How’d that work out for the GOP?
If I were a Democrat, I’d encourage the GOP to keep running moderates all the way to Washington every cycle!
When the next primary comes around in PA, Specter’s gone when a leftwing Democrat actually runs. He saw he was going to get trounced in a primary against Toomey and bolted to save his own hide.
Simple, really. He’s just made his switch back to the Democrats after a long leave of absence in party identification (but not votes). So the Democrats gain a headline, but no votes on key legislation.
Posted by: Good Lt. | April 28, 2009, 1:00 pm 1:00 pm
ranger..Begin challenging your own assumptions. Your assumptions are your windows on the world. Scrub them off ever once in awhile, or the light won’t come in….Alan Alda
One of the reason why the Repubs lost the election, most Repubs are moderate and fed up with those few right wingers who took advantage and crossed over temporarily at last election…May be the prime reason why the left may help the Dems lose in 2012…Don’t assume all Republicans are right wing..Don’t assume all Dems are left wing just not so..
Posted by: Parallax View | April 28, 2009, 1:04 pm 1:04 pm
Arlen Specter, March 17, 2009:
” am staying a Republican because I think I have an important role, a more important role, to play there. The United States very desperately needs a two-party system. That’s the basis of politics in America. I’m afraid we are becoming a one-party system, with Republicans becoming just a regional party with so little representation of the northeast or in the middle atlantic. I think as a governmental matter, it is very important to have a check and balance. That’s a very important principle in the operation of our government. In the constitution on Separation of powers.”
Just in case the Dems think they are getting a man of principle…
Gosh, it’s great to be illuminated by the words of Alan Alda!
Posted by: Fascist Hyena | April 28, 2009, 1:06 pm 1:06 pm
So, what took so long?
Posted by: Richard | April 28, 2009, 1:09 pm 1:09 pm
Another question:
Since Specter already caucused with Democrats on many key votes that angered the right (Obama spendulus bill, abortion legislation, TARP, etc.), then what are the Democrats really gaining here that they didn’t already have (besides one more D in the Senate who already voted D)?
They already had his votes – that’s why he was an anathema to the GOP. Yes?
Posted by: Good Lt. | April 28, 2009, 1:13 pm 1:13 pm
Mr.Magic bullet himself..
Posted by: Sconan | April 28, 2009, 1:14 pm 1:14 pm
Good luck, Senator Specter. We are the big tent. If the former president wants to campaign for us next year, we will take him. His own party does not like him. We take sinners, repenters, anyone. This is not a church; it is a political party. Meghan McCain and McCain’s former campaign manager said so last week.
Posted by: Pamela McGregor | April 28, 2009, 1:14 pm 1:14 pm
How Many Republicans are Left In the NorthEast Now?
Posted by: Angie in Pa | April 28, 2009, 1:15 pm 1:15 pm
Good Lt., McCain might have been the poster boy for moderates many years ago but was forced to change to get the nomination. His choice of Palin, a far right governor, was the last straw for many moderates. The bad advice he received to woo the far right, ended up losing him many moderate votes from both parties.
I’m glad Specter, a true moderate, has had enough with the Republican Party for now. He has been forced out by the far right, as many moderate voters were this past election.
Posted by: Lydia | April 28, 2009, 1:20 pm 1:20 pm
Parallax View – The far right wing is who is making all the noise and the moderate Republicans (those left) have seemingly lost their backbone.
HHS nomination delayed because of far-right anti-abortion groups putting pressure on Republican lawmakers over the nominees pro-choice stance. She is very qualified and we are on high alert for a pandemic, but the GOP caves to the extremist.
Sarah Palin – enough said.
Rush Limbaugh because so many Republican lawmakers are afraid of him, have praised him profusely and many refer to him in some form or fashion as the leader of the Republican party.
It’s a disgrace and Reagan is rolling over in his grave.
Posted by: Ranger | April 28, 2009, 1:20 pm 1:20 pm
Republicans have managed to PUSH the Senator to the other sides. If they don’t watch it, they’ll push Maine’s two Senators over, too.
Posted by: KYJurisDoctor | April 28, 2009, 1:22 pm 1:22 pm
Great news. Welcome, Sen. Specter!
The truth is coming out — the “right” is dead wrong on most issues. Smart people are noticing, and throwing their support behind alternatives.
In a democracy, when the people lead, their elected reps are supposed to follow.
200,000 Republicans in PA switched to register as Democrats — so Specter genuinely did the Right Thing — and joined the millions of Americans who proudly raise a middle finger to the Right Wing ;)
Posted by: HP | April 28, 2009, 1:24 pm 1:24 pm
Richard…Honestly, when he discovered his Senate seat was in peril..
Posted by: Parallax View | April 28, 2009, 1:27 pm 1:27 pm
HP…So how do you explain the state of California…We have a Republican Governor?
Posted by: Parallax View | April 28, 2009, 1:30 pm 1:30 pm
It won’t change his voting record very much. The guy did vote for Stimulus Porkulus Maximus!
Now Arlen will get creamed by a MoveOn-funded candidate in the 2010 Dem primary, instead of being crushed by Toomey in the GOP primary. But before leaving, he will surely vote for Nationalization of Health Care coverage (ObamaCare).
Posted by: I Have a Gift, Harry | April 28, 2009, 1:35 pm 1:35 pm
“HHS nomination delayed because of far-right anti-abortion groups putting pressure on Republican lawmakers over the nominees pro-choice stance. She is very qualified and we are on high alert for a pandemic, but the GOP caves to the extremist.”
Ranger: Is it possible that maybe, just maybe, Sebelius is being held up because she has a hard time telling the truth (or recollecting facts correctly, take your pick) when questioned?
Posted by: tjp612 | April 28, 2009, 1:37 pm 1:37 pm
parallax view – here’s the Alda quote for Republicans:
“It’s really clear to me that you can’t hang onto something longer than its time. Ideas lose certain freshness, ideas have a shelf life, and sometimes they have to be replaced by other ideas. ”
Alan Alda
Posted by: Ranger | April 28, 2009, 1:38 pm 1:38 pm
ranger..This is a de.moc.ra.cy and even the Palins and Limbaughs of the world have the right to express their views without fear of incrimination…with that said, the vast majority of American voters are moderate. American voters are neither left nor right and it will be the moderate candidate who wins in 2012…I will not vote for a Palin, too right, just as I will not vote for an Obama, too left.. Limbaugh’s propaganda makes me ill just as Al Franken’s propaganda makes me ill.. Thus far it seems that Obama is making the same mistake as any far right candidate and is drifting too far left….If the election were held today with everything we know today…I don’t believe Obama would be President…
Posted by: Parallax View | April 28, 2009, 1:46 pm 1:46 pm
Steve from Wisconsin> Your remark is hilarious considering you use Republican talking points while at the same time lambasting Democrats for using their own. “Socialism”? Really?
On topic: Perhaps Arlen just didn’t feel like there was room for moderates anymore on the Right.
Posted by: hahaha | April 28, 2009, 1:47 pm 1:47 pm
tjp612 – look up Team Sarah (Palin supporters) and Sebelius and you’ll get all the information you need on why many Republicans caved to the extremist in their own party.
It’s shameful.
Posted by: Ranger | April 28, 2009, 1:47 pm 1:47 pm
Ranger….EXACTLY, but that can also apply to Obama and his Administration in the next election…Four years is a long time…
Posted by: Parallax View | April 28, 2009, 1:48 pm 1:48 pm
tjp> Doubtful. Very doubtful. Come on. Do you sincerly believe that? The anti-choice folks have an agenda & they are doing all they can to make sure this woman does not get in. They DON’T care if she is qualified or not, as they are only focused on one issue.
I Have a Gift, Harry> I cannot believe anyone still thinks this bill is pork-laden. Have you actually READ it?
Posted by: hahaha | April 28, 2009, 1:51 pm 1:51 pm
…If the election were held today with everything we know today…I don’t believe Obama would be President…
++++++++++++++++++++++
Why?
Obama’s approval rating is between 60 – 69% among several reputable pollsters.
and there is this problem…
“April’s anticipated Washington Post/ABC News poll reveals a number of concerning trends for Republicans in Congress, the foremost of which is an 8 percent increase in the party’s disapproval rating since February.
Although Democrats too witnessed a slight decrease in overall voter approval, House and Senate Republicans especially took big hits in measures of party popularity, voter confidence and political effectiveness.”
Posted by: Ranger | April 28, 2009, 1:55 pm 1:55 pm
Just in case the Dems think they are getting a man of principle…
That is exactly what they are getting. When Specter tried to take an actual bipartisan stance he was demonized by his own people. The GOP has yet to show that they will really be bipartisan about anything.
Posted by: Skip | April 28, 2009, 1:56 pm 1:56 pm
Good Riddance to Bad Rubbish!
Here’s a question for the Democrats:
If John McCain at age 72 was too
old to run for president(at least
according to you) isn’t Arlen Specter
too old to run for the U.S. Senate?
Why in heavens name would the voters
of Pennsylvania want a senile old
man determining their future?
What kind of “change” does Specter
represent? Back to the future?
The same goes for Senator Robert C
Byrd of West Virginia who is in his
nineties and probably needs to be
told what day it is and where he is!
These guys can’t and won’t give up
the power and graft involved with
being in Congress.
The voters need to get together and vote
these old couts(John Murtha included)
out of Congress since they won’t leave
voluntarily!
Posted by: reaganfan | April 28, 2009, 1:57 pm 1:57 pm
I won’t deny that Sebilius’ stand on abortion (and the backlash of right-to-life supporters) isn’t an issue in her hearings. But, she has exactly helped her chances with her lack of consistency (and truths) during her questioning. With all of the tax cheats and shady characters that have been nominated by The One, the public is becoming much more sensitized to nominees who do not appear to be honest.
Posted by: tjp612 | April 28, 2009, 1:58 pm 1:58 pm
The GOP welcomes moderates just fine. This is not a sign that people are jumping ship. It’s a sign that Specter was losing, and wants to preserve his job.
It had nothing to do with principles or the GOP being “right-wing”.
This president has just handed the labor union UAW part ownership of the GM corporation. They could call it the People’s Liberation Car Company. That’s why Pelosi was so dead set against GM filing for bankruptcy. That wouldn’t have been possible in a bankruptcy scenario.
With more Senators in his pockets, he’ll soon be able to hand over all kinds of industries to whichever unions have helped him along the way Already, he’s ready to cram down a massive nationalization of health care disguised as “reform” by using the reconciliation budgetary procedure.
This on top of the gargantuan stimulus and budget bills. We will never, NEVER, get out from under these reckless, irresponsible costs.
Posted by: jordan | April 28, 2009, 1:59 pm 1:59 pm
The voters need to get together and vote
these old couts(John Murtha included)
out of Congress..
Posted by: reaganfan | Apr 28, 2009 1:57:42 PM
+++++++++++++++
How can someone with the post-name “reganfan” decry the age of any politician when Reagan was our oldest President and one of the more effective Presidents in office? I think he was 83 years old when he left office.
Posted by: Ranger | April 28, 2009, 2:03 pm 2:03 pm
People like Arlen Specter will make the Democratic party more attractive for people like me. I supported McCain because I initially saw him as a moderate conservative. Then, “true conservatives” (who apparently never read anything Eisenhower or Goldwater ever said…) began to scream about his credentials…strike one…then, McCain began bending to the will of “the base”…then he chose a far-right “folksy” know-little for his running mate to appease “the base…”
Voted for McCain, not UNhappy with Obama, yet.
However, since Obama has been elected, the tone of the Limbaughs and Becks and “die hard” conservatives has become increasingly irrational, much like the talking points of the Daily Kos types…
I would vote for Arlen whether he was republican or democrat. His switch shows that the republican party may be too fractured to regain power in the future.
In any event, I do have one “litmus test” for ANY politician: If you believe in “creationism” to any literal extent (beyond believing something like “the hand of god is in all creation…”), you are out. If even a small percentage of a party’s members believe in creationism, they are done in my book.
Posted by: Wade | April 28, 2009, 2:06 pm 2:06 pm
Another example of America waking up to the fact of how inane Republicans and Conservatives sound…….. there can always be honest policy debates…. but…… Repubs & Cons are so fringed out at the moment that they have lost their way and are doomed to be a fringe far right party for generations to come.
Posted by: manny mota | April 28, 2009, 2:08 pm 2:08 pm
“The GOP welcomes moderates just fine.”
Really?
How many members of Congress does the GOP have from the NorthEast?
Posted by: Ryan C | April 28, 2009, 2:08 pm 2:08 pm
How can you possibly be bipartisan on a 787 B stimulus plan, 3.6 T budget or a 1 T-plus deficit that even our childrens children will be unable to pay…Wasn’t that the main complaint on the GOP, out of control spending…What is so different other than the fact it is a Dem House and Senate, with Spector and two other GOP, that voted this in..
The Dems are now filibuster proof majority…No More Excuses, you now own whatever mistakes you make or at least until 2010
Posted by: Parallax View | April 28, 2009, 2:11 pm 2:11 pm
tip612 -
“Before Sebelius vetoed the abortion bill last week, she was probably headed toward confirmation with a vote in the high-70s” out of 99, one GOP Senate source told me. “Now that she’s vetoed that, she might be confirmed in the low seventies.” Another aide agreed, suggesting that there would probably be at least 25 Republicans in opposition, but no guarantees beyond that.”
From another poster – pulled from (NRO)
Posted by: Ranger | April 28, 2009, 2:11 pm 2:11 pm
Spector felt that the only way to be relevant was to betray his party and his constituents. His 15 minutes of newfound self-importance and political fame will soon be up, and then will come the decades of others who will have to work diligently to undo all the damage done to America by this administration, with Spector’s blessings. Sad. Spector couldn’t stomach being the loyal opposition, instead he chose to be Obama’s loyal lapdog. Woof!
Posted by: Concerned | April 28, 2009, 2:19 pm 2:19 pm
The end of the GOP is at hand.
What a 100 days gift for Obama…
Posted by: matt | April 28, 2009, 2:24 pm 2:24 pm
Ranger – Your point?
Posted by: tjp612 | April 28, 2009, 2:32 pm 2:32 pm
Spector’s switch = Self-preservation.
Plain and simple. I wonder who will be next?
By the time 2010 I would not be surprised at all if there is a Dem or two in the House who switch to the Republican party in conservative leaning districts…
Posted by: tjp612 | April 28, 2009, 2:35 pm 2:35 pm
I hope this is the end of the Republican Party. They do nothing but create economic meltdowns. They’re nuts. I hope they disappear just like The Whig Party.
Posted by: Shelly | April 28, 2009, 2:41 pm 2:41 pm
“This president has just handed the labor union UAW part ownership of the GM corporation. They could call it the People’s Liberation Car Company. That’s why Pelosi was so dead set against GM filing for bankruptcy. That wouldn’t have been possible in a bankruptcy scenario.”
Jordan – Don’t lose hope – There is a way to stop this – Don’t buy the products. Buying a Nissan from a plant in Tennessee is also buying American (and probably has a higher % of domestic content than similar GM product)
Posted by: tjp612 | April 28, 2009, 2:41 pm 2:41 pm
Ranger – Your point?
It wasn’t the taxes that held her up. Team Sarah and other extreme anti-abortion lobbyist put a lot of pressure on Republicans.
Every hour I get a breaking news alert of another reported diagnosis of Swine Flu in my city and we need Sebelius – not extremist politics for show at the expense of our public health.
Posted by: Ranger | April 28, 2009, 2:43 pm 2:43 pm
Judd Greg is the only republican in the northeast… and he already announced that he’s retiring next year.
He almost joined Obama’s cabinet too. LOL
Posted by: MJ | April 28, 2009, 2:47 pm 2:47 pm
Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe will probably switch to the Democratic Party too.
Moderates have no place in the modern GOP.
Posted by: MJ | April 28, 2009, 2:48 pm 2:48 pm
The Conservatives will leave the Republican Party before 2010 and start a new party. The Republican liberals and moderates won’t listened to the voter’s voice. The Republican Party is done!
Posted by: anonymous | April 28, 2009, 2:49 pm 2:49 pm
The Republican Party is becoming an extremist, radical, lunatic-fringe regional Party that only represents neo-cons in the Bible Belt.
Republican stupidity is jeopardizing our Two-Party System.
Posted by: Sammy | April 28, 2009, 2:49 pm 2:49 pm
Specter said today in a statement. “Last year, more than 200,000 Republicans in Pennsylvania changed their registration to become Democrats…”
This is the real reason he is switching he doesn’t believe he can win as a Republican.
Posted by: tw | April 28, 2009, 2:55 pm 2:55 pm
Obama is the worse President in this history since former Pres. Carter. Look what happened in New York City yesterday morning–. It is Obama’s fault. Don’t blame on Bush. Obama has a ‘lack’ of inexperience and leadership.
Posted by: anonymous | April 28, 2009, 2:56 pm 2:56 pm
“Every hour I get a breaking news alert of another reported diagnosis of Swine Flu in my city and we need Sebelius – not extremist politics for show at the expense of our public health.”
This is a bit dramatic, isn’t it? It sounds like you are giving the “Tim Geithner must be confirmed because there is no one more qualified for this position” argument…Are you implying that the CDC, NIH, etc. has been sitting around waiting for a HHS secretary before doing anything? The rank and file have been executing their duties day-in, day-out.
Posted by: tjp612 | April 28, 2009, 3:01 pm 3:01 pm
Specter is a Joke!!! all that need to be said. Oh yeah what have the democrat done lately to help the economy? NOTHING…..
Posted by: Fa Lu | April 28, 2009, 3:03 pm 3:03 pm
Are they sure that rush limbaugh has approved of this. He is the leader of the GOP now, right…
Posted by: pt | April 28, 2009, 3:10 pm 3:10 pm
“By the time 2010 I would not be surprised at all if there is a Dem or two in the House who switch to the Republican party in conservative leaning districts…”
I would.
Self id’ed GOPers are at their lowest point in years.
Given the amount of business friendly New Democrats and socially conservative Blue Dogs, one could easily run as a conservative Democrat in a conservative district and not be an oddity.
In fact those two groups combined aren’t all that far behind the total amount of Republicans in the House (120 vs 178)
Posted by: Ryan C | April 28, 2009, 3:31 pm 3:31 pm
Ah, Ryan C – Falling again for generality offered by polls without much objective thinking…
Remember, there were 8 (if I remember correctly) Dems who voted against the so-called “Stimulus” package. If you were to dig deeper you might conclude most/all of these “no” votes came from Dems. in conservative-leaning districts.
So, your assertion regarding popularity of Republicans based on polls does not necessarily translate uniformly across the entire country. There are Dems in conservative-leaning districts that will become pretty nervous next year at this time if (when?) the Obama over-reach continues on current trajectory.
Posted by: tjp612 | April 28, 2009, 3:45 pm 3:45 pm
“Ah, Ryan C – Falling again for generality offered by polls without much objective thinking…”
How exactly does combining the decreased self identification of Republicans with the growing size of the New Democrats and Blue Dog Democrats and seeing a rough road for the GOP in 2010 to say nothing of seeing defections of incumbent Democrats to the Republican party reflect falling for a poll’s generalities?
“Remember, there were 8 (if I remember correctly) Dems who voted against the so-called “Stimulus” package. If you were to dig deeper you might conclude most/all of these “no” votes came from Dems. in conservative-leaning districts.”
So?
“So, your assertion regarding popularity of Republicans based on polls does not necessarily translate uniformly across the entire country.”
Of course its not uniform but that certainly does not bode well for the Republicans as a national party which would be a factor when it comes to a member of Congress debating a switch of parties.
“There are Dems in conservative-leaning districts that will become pretty nervous next year at this time if (when?) the Obama over-reach continues on current trajectory.”
So why would they give up being the majority (and the power that comes with that) when they can vote against anything they do not like (in fact that ability helps them in their conservative districts)?
What logical reason would cause them to switch parties?
Posted by: Ryan C | April 28, 2009, 4:07 pm 4:07 pm
He’s right were he belongs.
Posted by: DontGet818OnMeNow | April 28, 2009, 4:24 pm 4:24 pm
Last month, the irrepressible Gov. Ed Rendell told a Pennsylvania cable channel that he, Sen. Bob Casey, D-Penn., and Vice President Biden from neighboring Delaware have all been lobbying Specter to switch.
________________________________________
THESE ARE THE PEOPLE WHO WERE ON AF1 YESTERDAY
Posted by: CYA SPECTER | April 28, 2009, 4:28 pm 4:28 pm
“Are you implying that the CDC, NIH, etc. has been sitting around waiting for a HHS secretary before doing anything? The rank and file have been executing their duties day-in, day-out.”
I’m saying they need all the help they can get. If you don’t you are no different than the extremist that blocked her nomination.
Are the schools with your children in them closing? Get back to me if they do…
Posted by: Ranger | April 28, 2009, 4:45 pm 4:45 pm
Rendell is worthless, and so is Specter. I’m not saying this because they are Dem., but because they are just in it for themselves and their rich friends. I’m glad I’m neither a Dem. or a Rep, because there is no difference. Every person that is elected is first trained what they can and cannot do while in office. They find ways to discredit those that don’t follow their protocal. The people of this country are all blind if they think that any of them are there to serve the public. This Nation is run by people other than elected politicians. Wake up AMERICA!!!!!!!
Posted by: USN,Ret in PA | April 28, 2009, 5:10 pm 5:10 pm
200,000 republicans switched to democrats in 2008 and Specter thinks what? It wasn’t because of Hillary and Obama? And Hillary won it. Anyway, good riddance Senator Specter. May the democratic party be more to your liking.
Posted by: Axey | April 28, 2009, 5:35 pm 5:35 pm
Hate, whine, teleprompter (what’s wrong with paper notes), blackberry (why not good ol rotary phones), socialism, communism, hate the country, secede, taxes (sorry those just got cut), Barry. Did I mention teleprompter?
Posted by: J. Richter | April 28, 2009, 5:51 pm 5:51 pm
I don’t think the Repubs have moved to the far right. I think the left have moved so far left, most of us can’t even see them anymore. I’ve seen a number of former Dems on TV lately who have switched to the Republican party because they feel the Dems are going socialist.
Posted by: Gary | April 28, 2009, 6:12 pm 6:12 pm
“I’ve seen a number of former Dems on TV lately who have switched to the Republican party because they feel the Dems are going socialist.”
Zell Miller is the only one that comes to mind, can you think of another?
Posted by: Ryan C | April 28, 2009, 6:17 pm 6:17 pm
As the population continues their move to the left, the Democratic Party continues its long downward slide to the right.
Posted by: Flash Override | April 28, 2009, 9:33 pm 9:33 pm
Ranger:
Reagan was 78 or 79 when he left
office. I stand by my comments.
Posted by: reaganfan | April 28, 2009, 11:19 pm 11:19 pm
Just imagine in a few years, Dems have passed health care reform, Iraq is really close to being over, Afghanistan will be the same, economy is starting to get better……
What will the Republicans say?
1) What has Obama done?
2) If it wasn’t for Repubs, nothing would have passed
3) Bush kept us safe
4) We need more tax cuts
5) Obama is a: pick one..
fascist, socialist, communist, Muslim
6) Our presidential team of Gingrich and Palin
will be better for America
7) It’s not torture
Posted by: Ratzso Rizzo | April 28, 2009, 11:24 pm 11:24 pm
Specter is a self-serving parasite who will feed on any host that will allow him to stay in power. The Obummer administration had better be careful what they wish for because they just might get it…..and with Arlen Specter there will be strings attached. Besides this goofy old geezer will still be given the boot in 2010, along with many other incumbents of both party’s. We the People will enforce our own version of Term Limits with our votes.
Posted by: Peggy | April 29, 2009, 3:52 am 3:52 am
This is not just about Republicans, Democrats or any other pidgeon-hole; it is about us a nation. If good ideas come from the right, our country should use those ideas, if they result from teamwork between many different philosphies, so much the better; if good ideas come from the left, our country should use those ideas too!
After eight long years of HELL under Bush and his puppetmaster, the United States of America is finally going to have a sensible government serving the citizens of the USA.
The neo-cons ran the USA into the ground, made our nation less safe and more unstable, ballooned the national debt and deficit, and used the Constitution as their doormat while coming in from wallowing in their sty filled with the worst kind of excrement.
Now, we (the Patriotic, sensible, hardworking Citizens of the United States of America) need to continue the progressive changes while keeping the ignorant, un-Patriotic whoevers on the ropes. We cannot banish all the bad ones from our country, but we can keep them on the ropes and expose them for what they are — a bunch of whiney, ignorant, greedy, wacko, airheads!
Posted by: Dawg | April 29, 2009, 2:06 pm 2:06 pm