Supermajority, Specter Switches Party

[Mabus]

Statement by Senator Arlen Specter (http://politicspa.com/Specter%20Switches.htm)

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 re-election in 2010 in the Democratic primary.

I am ready, willing and anxious to take on all comers and have my candidacy for re-election 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 re-election 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.

[Stanley Burrell]

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.

B. Obie did more for our nation with this move than any action of our previous 8 years of compassionate conservatism prior.

That being said, I am always wondering; when a politicians flips their chip, how much of it is for show, how much more of it is for show, and how little of it is genuine.

[Parkbandit]

Awesome.

Time to pass the trash imo. It's not like he voted with Conservative values anyway.

He's gone after 2010 anyway..

[ClydeR]

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.

Well that statement is definitely true. Specter was going to lose the Republican primary in 2010.


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.

I can think of only one thing that would make that part of the statement more true. Add the word "again" to the end of the last sentence. Specter was a cosponsor of the card check bill the last time it was in the Senate. He changed his position a few months ago to try to win over the Republican base, which clearly did not work. Now he's changing parties to try to save himself. Unfortunately for Specter, his new party supports card check.

[Drew]

I've been nauseous since I heard this.

[ClydeR]

Everybody is assuming that Specter will win the Democrat nomination. That's by no means certain.


I've been nauseous since I heard this.

It might be the Mexican Swine Flu since that one of the symptoms (http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/key_facts.htm) that some people have.

[Kembal]

If he doesn't switch on EFCA, labor's going to take him out in the Dem primary in 2010 anyway. He's gotta flip flop or he's doomed.

[Keller]

WE WON!!! WE WON!!!!!!!!!11 WE WWWWWWWWOOOONNNNN!!!!

[Warriorbird]

Yeah. Khariz is gonna have to execute us Red Dawn style now, Keller.

[Keller]

Seriously, who can object to the move to the Socialism? We beat the Representative Democracy level. Not with a high score, but there will be time for that.

[Gan]

Yeah. Khariz is gonna have to execute us Red Dawn style now, Keller.

Dibbs on peeing in the radiator.

[radamanthys]

Seriously, who can object to the move to the Socialism? We beat the Representative Democracy level. Not with a high score, but there will be time for that.

Angry conservatives.

Angry conservatives with guns.

[Seizer]

Good riddance. He has been one of my senators for the last hmm, 10 or so years since I moved back to Pennsylvania. I can't tell you how many times I called his office, wrote him letters, and sent him emails asking him to not support things such as Law of the Sea Treaty, etc....

Each time I got the while I appreciate you taking your time to share your views with me I don't give two squirts of piss.

What really chaps my ass is, "I am unwilling to have my 29-year Senate record judged by the Pennsylvania Republican primary electorate," he said in the statement.
What the hell? He feels he won't win because he's alienated his base, and so he switches parties so he has chance to stay in power. Term limits please.


Seriously, who can object to the move to the Socialism? We beat the Representative Democracy level. Not with a high score, but there will be time for that.
I can.

[ClydeR]

Good riddance.

Amen to that. I say don't let the door hit you on the way out. The Republican Party is in the midst of its 40 years in the wilderness, which will probably last until at least 2010. The way out of the wilderness is to rid themselves of the impure parts of their party, just like the Republicans did leading up to their 1994 resurgence.

When the Republicans get rid of Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe, they'll be ready to begin the process of purifying the party. Collins and Snowe don't belong in the party.

[Keller]

I can.

But the democrats beat Representative Democracy. Playing the same level over and over can get boring.

Do we get any new talent points or anything? I love leveling up!

[Renian]

Everybody is assuming that Specter will win the Democrat nomination.


WHAT THE FUCK DID I TELL YOU BEFORE ABOUT THE KITTENS. NOW LOOK WHAT YOU MADE ME DO.

OM NOM NOM NOM

[Back]

Its just a sign of the times. Extreme right wing does not appeal to a moderate public. Its a sea change in social leaning. And inevitable in my opinion... conservatism, keeping things the way they are or were, stand in the very way of progress.

[Parkbandit]

Its just a sign of the times. Extreme right wing does not appeal to a moderate public. Its a sea change in social leaning. And inevitable in my opinion... conservatism, keeping things the way they are or were, stand in the very way of progress.

Progress towards Communism/Socialism?

I'm glad to be standing in the way if that's the case. You can thank me when you get your head out of your ass.

[Warriorbird]

http://blog.davender.com/uploaded_images/borg-706601.jpg

[Rocktar]

Leave it to ole' Arlen to put his finger to the political wind and flutter with the current gusts. Only thing that the man has going for him now is seniority which is the only reason I can see any Dems voting for him either.

[Rocktar]

Progress towards Communism/Socialism?

I'm glad to be standing in the way if that's the case. You can thank me when you get your head out of your ass.

Don't hold your breath on that one. I think most of them like it there, after all, it is warm, dark and moist, perfect environment for slime mold.

[Jace Solo]

Sounds like he's a perfect fit for the Dem's. Doing what ever it takes to retain power (including pissing all over the people that kept you in office for decades), expecting a handout (his seat handed back to him)...a lot of people might see this as a level up for the Dem. To me, I think the Repubs level up in this situation.

You're new talent points....
Krusty old guy who's gonna turn on you when Republicans regain power.

Republican new talent point...
Knowing which guy is going to try to flip flop with a "After spending 4/8 years inside the Democratic party I see the error of my prior decision".

And not cause their was an error there...cause he just wants to keep his job.
Lotta people voted for Obama cause they thought he was going to help them keep their job. Anyone get their stimulus check yet? My rent is due soon!

[Warriorbird]

http://www.evilhumor.com/media/files7/pictures/kool_aid_wall.jpg

[Parkbandit]

Karma's a bitch. Hopefully this is the tip of the iceberg:

Despite promises from Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) that Sen. Arlen Specter (Pa.) would retain his seniority after switching parties, Specter will be put at the end of the seniority line on all his committees but one under a resolution approved on the floor late Tuesday.

Under the modified organizing resolution, Specter will not keep his committee seniority on any of the five committees that he serves on and will be the junior Democrat on all but one — the chamber’s Special Committee on Aging. On that committee, he will be next to last in seniority.

As a result, Specter — who as a Republican was ranking member on the Judiciary Committee and a senior member of the Appropriations Committee, as well as ranking member of the panel’s Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education — will now rank behind all the other Democrats, at least until the end of this Congress.

According to a senior Democratic aide, it remains unclear whether Specter — who will still retain his seniority in the Senate outside of the committees — will see a boost in his committee seniority should he be re-elected for the next session. The status of his seniority for the next Congress will be determined once the 112th Congress convenes in 2011, the aide said.

Democrats said that while unrelated, Specter’s comments to the New York Times Magazine this weekend indicating he would support former Sen. Norm Coleman’s (R-Minn.) disputed re-election bid against Al Franken have angered many Democrats.

“Sen. Specter better watch comments like these. They won’t help him in the caucus,” a Democratic leadership aide said, adding that the comments have “caused a lot of heartburn in the caucus.”

http://www.rollcall.com/news/34648-1.html

[Gan]

Karma's a bitch. Hopefully this is the tip of the iceberg:

Despite promises from Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) that Sen. Arlen Specter (Pa.) would retain his seniority after switching parties, Specter will be put at the end of the seniority line on all his committees but one under a resolution approved on the floor late Tuesday.


And my seniority is very important to continue to bring important projects vital to Pennsylvania’s economy.

:lol:

:bye:

Of course Democrats dont hold grudges!

[Keller]

Fucking owned.

LOL!

[radamanthys]

Ouch. Burn.

Seniority is stupid, anyway. Lets just give all the votes to Pelosi, why don't we. Might as well.

What would be the penalty/Jailtime if I just cunt-punted her? It'd be pretty legendary, and totally worth it, if it was just a simple low-level assault charge. (Kidding, secret CIA guy. Just kidding)

[Parkbandit]

Seriously.. Specter should have switched sides earlier. We needed to cull the herd of idiots like this years ago. I mean, come on.. is there ANY values in this guy at all?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/05/05/specter-norm-coleman-shou_n_197057.html

The political whirlwind that surrounded Sen. Arlen Specter ’s switch from the Republican to Democratic party had him forgetting which team he is rooting for in 2010.

But after voicing support for Republican Norm Coleman in his contested Minnesota Senate race, Specter said he misspoke in a New York Times magazine interview and is supporting Democrats.

Specter switched parties April 30 in an effort to hold his Pennsylvania seat for a sixth term in the 2010 election. The move upset fellow Republicans and elated Democrats who edged to a 59-seat majority with two independents in a Senate where 60 senators can cut off debate.

The results of Coleman’s contest with Democrat Al Franken, which are pending in state Supreme Court, will determine whether Democrats reach 60.

Specter was interviewed for a one-page Times magazine feature scheduled to run May 10. Several responses appeared tongue-in-cheek — when asked to keep his answers short and “try not to filibuster” he simply said “sure.”

Asked whether he cared about a shortage of Jewish Republicans in the Senate, Specter replied: “I sure do. There’s still time for the Minnesota courts to do justice and declare Norm Coleman the winner.”

But questioned outside the Senate chamber Tuesday, Specter said the comment was a mistake.

“In the swirl of moving from one caucus to another, I have to get used to my new teammates,” he said. “I’m ordinarily pretty correct in what I say. I’ve made a career of being precise. I conclusively misspoke.”

Asked who he’s backing now in elections, Specter said, “I’m looking for more Democratic members. Nothing personal.”

_________________________________

That's awesome.

[Warriorbird]

Seems like he'd have faced a primary challenge as a Republican... and now as a Democrat too.

Owned.

[ClydeR]

Karma's a bitch.

It's even worse than that. Specter and the media apparently thought there was an advance agreement that Specter would keep his seniority after the switch. He's even been campaigning on it.


Specter has been citing his seniority on the Appropriations Committee as he hits the campaign trail as a Democrat.

"My senior position on Appropriations has enabled me to bring a lot of jobs and a lot of federal funding to this state," Specter said at a town hall meeting on Monday.

Over and over, he made a point of telling an auditorium filled with medical faculty and staff about the hundreds of millions of dollars he delivered to the Keystone State, thanks to the power he's accumulated in his 29 years in the Senate.

"Pennsylvania has a big interest in my seniority, a big interest," he said.

A day later, the Senate stripped him of that seniority. The resolution, which set out committee assignments for the entire Senate, was approved on a unanimous voice vote.

More... (http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/05/06/specter.seniority/)