One step closer to one-party rule: Specter becomes Dem

[Surlethe]

Breaking my work-imposed hiatus, I thought y'all would find this interesting: WSJ.

Pennsylvania Republican Sen. Arlen Specter is switching parties, handing Senate Democrats and President Barack Obama a powerful 60 vote super-majority in the U.S. Senate if Minnesota Democrat Al Franken is eventually seated in his long-running battle with Republican Norm Coleman. Here is Specter’s full statement:

Statement by Senator 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 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.

[Rogue 9]

I don't see it making a truly huge difference; he'll vote as he did before in all likelihood, and at the end of the day that's what matters. The symbolism is the biggest part here.

[General Zod]

Not exactly a huge shock. Specter's been getting a fair bit of press for siding with the Democrats on a number of issues iirc. I also seem to vaguely remember some noise about the Democrats giving a supportive nod if he ever decided to jump ship awhile back.

[Crossroads Inc.]

Specter has been pretty reasonable in his voting and this isn't that big of deal... To us... no what i'm looking forward to is the screeching on the right about this "traitor" going over to the evil liberals.. no doubt Specter is going to be vilified but the far right for the next week.

[Flagg]

He was facing a pretty tough primary battle from what MSNBC has been reporting, so this is just him saving his political career or at least from him having to pull a Lieberman to stay in office. I still think it's great news and with Franken being seated (any year now) it gives the Democrats a symbolic filibuster proof majority. Now if only it weren't for the blue dogs...

[FSTargetDrone]

I'm in PA and this is fairly big news around these parts. It's all over local news radio and I suspect talk radio as well, though the Limbaugh show ison and I can't find any local discussion. Yet.

Okay, who wants to speculate on the next switcheroo. Snowe? Collins?

[Mr Bean]

Lieberman will switch, and often on Foreign issues. To note the Democrats have two independent Senators who vote with them. Bernie Sanders is the other one and would be run as a Socialist(His own words) if he could get away with it. Lieberman on the other hand is so semi-Republican it's not even funny.

If the Dem's can pick up even one Senate seat in 2010(And they have a shot at picking up any one of five) then yes it's going to get interesting in the Government.

[RedImperator]

Specter just barely beat Pat Toomey (a titanic asshole) in the primary in 2004, and that was with Bush and Santorum campaigning for him and before his moderate Republican suburban Philadelphia base switched registration en masse. Now the only Republican primary voters left in Pennsylvania are retrograde Pennsylbama Christers. He was going to lose the primary next year, without a doubt. Switching parties was the best option available to save his career.

[FSTargetDrone]

Specter has been pretty reasonable in his voting and this isn't that big of deal... To us... no what i'm looking forward to is the screeching on the right about this "traitor" going over to the evil liberals.. no doubt Specter is going to be vilified but the far right for the next week.

It's started. RI was just talking about Toomey, and he was just on MSNBC. I think he said "liberal" about 6 dozen times in the space of 30 seconds.

More seriously, he was asking how could Pennsylvanians could "trust" Specter.

[Gil Hamilton]

I don't know how much conservative outrage there will be. While I'm sure that conservatives won't like him changing sides, a great many conservatives never forgave him for supposedly killing the chances of Judicial Psycho Bork's appointment and for being a moderate for ages, one who kept beating out conservative candidates.

Red is right in that regard. The Rebuplican voters in PA that are left that haven't defected hate Specter. They already think he's seven different shades of traitor to the cause and will never vote for him if pressing down his switch caused hundred dollar bills to shoot out the side of the voting booth.

[TithonusSyndrome]

It's started. RI was just talking about Toomey, and he was just on MSNBC. I think he said "liberal" about 6 dozen times in the space of 30 seconds.

More seriously, he was asking how could Pennsylvanians could "trust" Specter.

This is, of course, tribalism in action. Betray the tribe and you deserve vilification.

In any case, a one-party system would be nice IF Obama wasn't hamstrung with all this "postpartisan" nonsense that makes him pander to their free market dogma to an extent no sane president ought to.

[Gil Hamilton]

It's started. RI was just talking about Toomey, and he was just on MSNBC. I think he said "liberal" about 6 dozen times in the space of 30 seconds.

More seriously, he was asking how could Pennsylvanians could "trust" Specter.

He's fucking Toomey. He can't take a shit without blaming liberals and Arlen Specter for the concentrated evil shooting out his ass.

[Flagg]

Lieberman will switch, and often on Foreign issues. To note the Democrats have two independent Senators who vote with them. Bernie Sanders is the other one and would be run as a Socialist(His own words) if he could get away with it. Lieberman on the other hand is so semi-Republican it's not even funny.

If the Dem's can pick up even one Senate seat in 2010(And they have a shot at picking up any one of five) then yes it's going to get interesting in the Government.

By switch I meant caucusing with the Republicans. Something I doubt he'd do unless he's not planning on running again.

[RedImperator]

More seriously, he was asking how could Pennsylvanians could "trust" Specter.

Well, they can certainly trust Specter to kick the living shit out of Toomey in the general next year. I'd bet a thousand dollars Specter will increase his victory margin from 2004 against any Republican. Against Toomey, it'll be a fucking joke; Toomey's more conservative than Rick Santorum and Pennsylvania is bluer than it was in 2006.

[Crossroads Inc.]

And now, for your amusement, a "commentary" on the Specter issue from a concerned citizen at Foxnews..
*ahems*

This America-hating fascist puke has been giving Republicans a bad name since he first duped stupid Penn. voters into thinking he actually had anything at all in common with Abraham Lincoln. Good riddance.

Next up, Olympia Snow and her fascist cohort Susan Collins. I'd rather be on the right side of the issues than in the majority, and these frauds need to be eliminated from the party once and for all. These are the pukes than gave us John McShame as our spineless nominee.

And before any dopes whine about being "exclusive", can anyone, anyone at all, name even a SINGLE issue on which this a-hole, Snow, or Collins disagrees with Obama on? Just one?

They're all Big Government, control every aspect of your lives, worship communists from around the world and turn us all into atheists and Muslims. Who cares about American lives if saving them means even one terrorist is made the slightest bit uncomfortable, to hell with the US Constitution, liberal zealots. Why should that filth be dirtying the Republican Party?

[Coyote]

The Republican party is pretty much going through a Blood Purge. Anyone who is not a Talibangelical is being witchhunted and ousted. It is their own damn fault, too.

[Patrick Degan]

This America-hating fascist puke has been giving Republicans a bad name since he first duped stupid Penn. voters into thinking he actually had anything at all in common with Abraham Lincoln. Good riddance.

Next up, Olympia Snow and her fascist[/b cohort Susan Collins. I'd rather be on the right side of the issues than in the majority, and these frauds need to be eliminated from the party once and for all. These are the pukes than gave us John McShame as our spineless nominee.

Well, this guy sure got his copy of the latest script from GOP Propaganda HQ

They're all Big Government, control every aspect of your lives, worship communists from around the world and turn us all into atheists and Muslims. Who cares about American lives if saving them means even one terrorist is made the slightest bit uncomfortable, to hell with the US Constitution, liberal zealots. Why should that filth be dirtying the Republican Party?

Damn, he's found us out. I'll have to tell my fellow Atheist Muslim converts about this when we get out of Communist Temple later this evening.

[salm]

This whole "fascist" thing the GOP is doing is the most ridiculous PR stunt i´ve ever seen or heard of. I hope not many people are honestly falling for this bullshit.

[Crossroads Inc.]

What I am curious about, is now that the witting is on the wall, what are the chances that Snow and Collins actually WILL turn over to democrats?

[Qwerty 42]

For what it's worth, watching the FoxNews coverage without volume, I thought Specter had died.

[Grandmaster Jogurt]

What I am curious about, is now that the witting is on the wall, what are the chances that Snow and Collins actually WILL turn over to democrats?

I can't see it happening. They're both tremendously popular here in Maine and I can't remember there being any sort of challenge from other Republicans during any elections. I think they're set to basically win the primaries by default as long so they don't overtly screw up or screw us over.

[The Original Nex]

Snowe claims she's "staying put" for the time being, but isn't hiding her dissatisfaction with the Repubs. Her language is starker than Specter's was last month when asked about potentially switching. Collins is more to the right of Snowe, but still left of Specter. She's given no indications of switching. The Ladies from Maine are the last survivors of classical New England Republicanism, we'll see how long they hold out against the wing-nuts.

[Duckie]

What I am curious about, is now that the witting is on the wall, what are the chances that Snow and Collins actually WILL turn over to democrats?

I can't see it happening. They're both tremendously popular here in Maine and I can't remember there being any sort of challenge from other Republicans during any elections. I think they're set to basically win the primaries by default as long so they don't overtly screw up or screw us over.

For what it's worth an informal internal poll of my Maine-based family concludes a strikingly large majority believed Collins and Snowe were Democrats. So there's probably not much to gain from switching the letter if everyone doesn't even notice it.

[Lancer]

Well, at least Fox News will finally be able to get his party affiliation correct.

Watching the GOP shoot itself in the foot makes me warm and happy inside. The Democrats don't even have to work very hard to form a big-tent coalition, the Republicans are pushing moderates away for them.

[Qwerty 42]

Well, at least Fox News will finally be able to get his party affiliation correct.

SEN. A. SPECTER- T, PA.