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BREAKING: Arlen Specter (R-PA) to Switch to Democratic Party

By: Jeff Emanuel (Diary)  |  April 28th, 2009 at 11:45 AM  | 

RESIZE: AAA

Sources have confirmed to RedState.com that Pennsylvania Senator Arlen Specter has decided to switch parties from Republican to Democrat..

Multiple House and Senate sources are telling RedState that Specter has concluded there is “no way he can win” a contested Republican primary in Pennsylvania, and that an announcement of his intent to switch from Republican to Democrat could come as early as today.

A “moderate” Republican, Specter has long been at odds with mainstream Republicans on spending and life issues, as well as several other positions. This February, Specter was one of only three Republicans in the U.S. Senate to vote in favor of President Obama’s (D) $787,000,000,000.00 “stimulus” spending bill. No House Republicans, and not all House Democrats, supported the “stimulus” legislation, and Specter, along with Maine Senators Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins, provided the GOP votes that enabled the measure to pass the Senate and be signed into law by Obama.

Specter is being challenged for his Senate seat by former Club for Growth president Pat Toomey. Sources say the decision to switch from Republican to Democrat was fueled in large part by a realization that he could not defeat Toomey in the 2010 Republican primary election.

Update: hogan has Specter’s statement.

Update 2: Just over a month ago, Specter told The Hill “I am staying a Republican because I think I have an important role — a more important role — to play there. I think the United States desparately needs a two party system. It is the basis of politics in America. I think each of the 41 Republican Senators, in a sense, and I don’t want to overstate this, is a national asset, because if one was gone you would only have 40. The Democrats would have 60 and they would control all of the mechanisms of government.”

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COMMENTS

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  • psyop_hic

    RECALL IMMEDIATELY!!!

    • Maggie_in_Indiana

      They elected a Republican. recall his nasty self! They’d be missing a golden opportunity. The Dems will take him for now. But he’ll vote against them too much ,and blam he’s done.

      • Princeliberty

        Forget this moderate nonsense.

        Specter going to carry Obama’s water all the way as a Democrat.

        They have found a good loyal Democrat in Specter.

        • http://www.hakubi.us/ Neil Stevens

          That then completely destroys his credibility in the future, and we can run against him as a rubber-stamp of the President.

    • Old_Dominion

      of federal office holders. See Thornton v. US Term Limits.

      • http://www.hakubi.us/ Neil Stevens

        California had a famous one. We got a Specter as Governor as our reward. Schwarzenegger is actually worse on spending than the guy we recalled.

        • Princeliberty

          Arnold and Specter prove voting for RINOs is a bad idea.

          I told you so – all the you have to be pragamatic and vote for Specter – back in 2004.

          What did that get us.

          And what has supporting Arnold over McClintock in 2003 gotten us.

          Hey, if a Democrat had won in 2003.

          With all the mess in California – if it all could be blamed on Democrats – the Republican party would be roaring back to life in 2010.

          But thanks to Arnold it will be lucky if it does not lose anymore ground.

        • IJB

          Recalls are one of the best so-called “progressive” reforms that were even put forth.

          If we could recall U.S. Senators, that chamber would be a very, very different place.

          (And, I’m sorry – the idea that Schwarzenegger is “worse” than Gray Davis is ridiculous!)

      • Maggie_in_Indiana

        but this what I found in a quick search in two different places..
        For US Senators
        “The 18 states allowing for recall are as follows: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington and Wisconsin.”

        • http://andrightlyso.com/ civil_truth

          If not, my understanding from past discussions I’ve read is that the federal courts would strike them down if a recall election were to be scheduled.

          • Old_Dominion

            offices. In Thornton, the SCOTUS held:

            [D]elegates to the Philadelphia Convention…presumably did not want state legislatures to be able to tell the Members of Congress from their State, “Vote against Bill A or we will slash your salary”; such a power would approximate a power of recall, which the Framers denied to the States when they specified the terms of Members of Congress.

          • psyop_hic

            …is repeal the 17th Amendment so as to give the power that the Framer’s intended back to the state legislatures.

        • BlueLandRed

          recall for federal officials. It simply can’t be done without amending the Constitution. The only option to kick them out is impeachment.

          What you found are states that allow state office holders to be recalled.

    • path

      title says it all……….

    • Princeliberty

      Right now is the time to help out whoever you think the best of the Republican candidates running in 2010 to now take on Specter.

      I understand Toomey may not be the only one running.

      But in any case helping the opposition is what needs to be done.

      Also, no one should call him a moderate. He never was he always supported bigger government and was hard core in his support for abortion and other left wing social stances.

      And he always was bigoted against Christians.

      He is a hard left bigoted liberal.

      • TxCon

        nt

  • bk

     

  • Thomas_Hauber

    Not really. He never even qualified for the RINO definition.

  • SteveM

    Here’s the statement:

    http://voices.washingtonpost.com/thefix/senate/specter-to-switch-parties.html

    “I have decided to run for re-election in 2010 in the Democratic primary,” said Specter in a statement. “I am ready, willing and anxious to take on all comers and have my candidacy for re-election determined in a general election.”

    He added: “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.”

    Let’s take a second to address the BS that Specter fronts above. The common meme is that the GOP is now a far-right organization.

    Bullsh1t. It’s the same as it ever was – keep spending low (although Bush and the last Congress blew that), keep government small (Bush blew that one as well), opposition to abortion, pro-2nd Amendment, pro-individual.

    Who’s really made the move? The democrats. Way to the left. It’s a lie to say the GOP is now pandering to the most foul parts of its base. The real truth is that there are no Scoop Jackson democrats anymore. Now all we have are Nancy Pelosi democrats. So which party is the one that’s moved away from itself, again?

    • AceInTX

      Dems ACT Conservative to get elected and govern liberal…Republicans act liberal to attract “Moderates and independents” and govern liberal as well!

    • its_a_right_wing_thing

      SteveM,

      I agree with the Snowe and Collins comments but don’t forget ol’ RINO McCain and dare I say, Graham (even though the FOXNEWS quote I read from him had him blasting the Specter defection). Seriously though, McCain. If you can’t get your own daughter to vote for the party you supposedly represent, what does that tell you?

      Many good things will come out of this Specter situation and the Republican Party will be stronger in the end.

      First, the PA GOP can now all rally behind Toomey for 2010 instead of a good man not even being able to win the nomination since incumbents are perceived to have the upper hand.

      2nd-the National GOP can now give all their money to Toomey instead of giving it to Specter as I had read here that Coryn had been planning to do.

      3rd The Republican party can now begin to weed out the “moderates” and move further to the right, thus uniting under one true platform of real, true conservative idelas instead of always having to compromise just to get Snowe. Spector, and Collins’ votes.

      4th Maybe the GOP will learn from this and quit supporting moderates just because they are incumbants and get back to basics and their conservative base? Maybe they will nominate true conservatives and no more RINOS!

      Where does Rick Santorum stand in all this? Is it too late to possibly run him in 2010? Could a united PA GOP base actually beat Specter or once a blue state, always a blue state?

  • SteveM

    Here’s the statement:

    http://voices.washingtonpost.com/thefix/senate/specter-to-switch-parties.html

    “I have decided to run for re-election in 2010 in the Democratic primary,” said Specter in a statement. “I am ready, willing and anxious to take on all comers and have my candidacy for re-election determined in a general election.”

    He added: “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.”

    Let’s take a second to address the BS that Specter fronts above. The common meme is that the GOP is now a far-right organization.

    Bullsh1t. It’s the same as it ever was – keep spending low (although Bush and the last Congress blew that), keep government small (Bush blew that one as well), opposition to abortion, pro-2nd Amendment, pro-individual.

    Who’s really made the move? The democrats. Way to the left. It’s a lie to say the GOP is now pandering to the most foul parts of its base. The real truth is that there are no Scoop Jackson democrats anymore. Now all we have are Nancy Pelosi democrats. So which party is the one that’s moved away from itself, again?

    • tankertodd

      Bush’s profligate spending turned our party into Democrats-light. And it opened the door to the open looting of our children’s future we see today.

      Let us join the battle, and right soon. In case of defeat I need time to find a new country to emigrate to (or start my own!).

  • tankertodd

    nt

  • DavidSage

    You guys are the reason Specter got the nomination over Toomey last time.

    Never trust a RINO. I think he saw the writing on the wall, and knew he was going to be beat by Toomey in the primary.

    • workingclass

      Amen! Glad someone pointed this out. One of the most balloon headed things Bush did. It baffled me at the time and then the first thing Specter did was stab him in the back on the next major vote after the election.

      The RNC’s and RSCC’s support of this guy is the reason they don’t get a dime of my money to this day.

    • mikedaire

      …by 21 percentage points, according to this from Rasmussen: http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/election_2010/election_2010_senate_elections/pennsylvania/election_2010_pennsylvania_republican_senate_primary

      • mbauer

        …

        • mikedaire

          …I should have stated that. And is why Specter is jumping ship – he would never have survived the primary.

    • AceInTX

      nt

    • Flagstaff

      Cut and run is his style. He’s now in his element.

      Obama is the same regarding the interrogation memos and pictures. “Don’t fight; we might lose.”

  • USNJIMRET

    Or, you could man up and just admit how very very wrong you were.

    • http://impudent.blognation.us/blog kyle8

      they won’t come out of the woodwork for a while.

  • Old_Crow

    Since his chance of winning in the next Republican primary was looking slimmer by the month, he’s realized he’ll either have to start working for a living finding a real job outside of politics or whore himself out to the democrats.
    It will be sweet to see him lose as a democrat next election.

    • JoeG

      “It will be sweet to see him lose as a democrat next election.”

      Are the dems of Penn. in love with him? Will they run a real dem against him?

      • http://andrightlyso.com/ civil_truth
  • DONTREADONME

    Can someone tell me when a Democrat crossed the isle to become a Rebulican? Good riddance to bad rubbish.

    • Finrod

      .

    • IJB

      On the Senate side, Shelby of AL switched from D to R.

      In the House, there were about a half-a-dozen southern Dems who switched to the GOP in 1994-1995. There was some of that on the state legislature level around the same time as well.

      Since then, not so much…

    • USNJIMRET
      • IJB
      • DONTREADONME

        I new Ds went to Rs but I could not remember the last time that happened. Could say these guys are wishy-washy and want to be part of the winning team.

    • AceInTX

      Shelby is another…there were several Congressmen after the 1994 elections including Ben “Night Horse” Campbell.

  • Tbone

    Good riddance.

  • harlan

    If he’s looking for gratitude from the Dems for his continuing subversion of conservative principles, he will be sorely disappointed.

    Just like McCain, they throw him under the bus so fast he won’t have time to duck.

    • IJB

      My suspicion is that they won’t try very hard, and that Specter will get a challenge in the Dem Primary from The Left. And if that happens, I’d say the odds are pretty decent that Specter will lose.

      So, yeah – Specter may have just gotten taken for a ride. Couldn’t happen to a nicer guy…

      • Section9

        This gives them the 60 seats they wanted with Franken. If Specter plays ball and votes with leadership, no primary challenge. But he has to resign midway through his term due to reasons of health so Rendell can put in a stooge.

        I guarantee you that’s the deal.

        • WarEagle01

          Probably since Specter got served cookies by Bambi during the Super Bowl. Chris Matthews and his Leg are probably not too happy about it, though. Weren’t they planning on running in next year?

        • kat

          We will elect our new governor during the same race that will (hopefully) replace Specter.

        • psyop_hic

          … Obama has promised to campaign for Specter as a Democrat against Toomey… http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D97RKV800&show_article=1

        • IJB

          …Even if they wanted to.

          I do think some sort of “deal” was involved, but I doubt it covered all eventualities.

          My guess is that MoveOn types will field someone against Specter which the Dem party leadership will publicly “oppose”, but they will probably do nothing to stop MoveOn and DKos types from supporting the Leftie challenger.

          IOW, I suspect they’ve sandbagged Specter with “a deal that’s not really a ‘deal’”.

    • Rod_Patrick
      • conservativemusician

        And with the economy the way it is now, this is no guarantee. Just heard on Rush today that GWB had a higher approval rating with the Gallup poll than The One at this point in his presidency. Cool, huh?

        • Rod_Patrick

          Waiting for the economy to tank and blame the same to Obama and somehow expecting the people to return to our side is just way too lazy IMHO.

          We may win. Yes. But we’ll just go back to the days of the Bushes. It’s just like “choosing the less evil” strategy, which is the main indicator of the malaise in this society…. unprincipled and ignorant voters.

          We must re-establish a Reaganesque culture in our society such that almost every American really believes in Conservative principles of governance, regardless of the circumstances.

  • Jonah Shumate

    Figuring out if his district was “going Democrat” as his motus operandi or if he is just scared of losing.

    I am surprised by such a desperate act.

    Obama was to have said, “We are thrilled to have you”, per Fox just now… I wonder if he will say that in November 2010….

    • AceInTX
  • Lammo

    “I read that he was switching parties, but I was disappointed to learn that he’s still a Democrat.”

    From The Corner at National Review Online.

    Made me laugh out loud.

    • bk

      Was going to post it here but you beat me by 20 mins.

      • Lammo

        I find I’m always many hours behind the fun parts of RS posts. I laughed so loud people down the hall wondered what was wrong.

        • olsmithie

          Loved the quote.

          Regards

    • mom2oneson
  • Swamp_Yankee

    This is scary. People shouldn’t be too thrilled. There is nothing to hold him back now. If he were at least running in the GOP primary, he’s have to throw the Right a few bones (EFCA, judges, national security).

    • Thomas_Hauber

      He did his own thing anyway. If he cared what his constituents thought he would not have support Porkulus.

      This just assures the fact that Toomey will be the nominee.

      • Common_Cents
    • Maggie_in_Indiana

      If they have the guts,or he’ll vote against the rest of the term.

      • Maggie_in_Indiana

        Pennsylvania has no recall provision. So we are screwed,no way he’ll vote against card check or nationalized healthcare now. Not that he was going to any way. It just sounded so good. I think we have a problem,with no good answer.

    • http://www.hakubi.us/ Neil Stevens
      • Swamp_Yankee

        But he held the line ona couple of things. You can cut spending later. Porkulus is no wher near as fatal, an I mean fatal, as EFCA. We will never be able to outraise Dems; their organization and ground game will be that much more superior; they will gain millions of voters; businesses will be crushed. Why is that so cool.

        • http://impudent.blognation.us/blog kyle8

          we will be stronger for it.

        • http://www.hakubi.us/ Neil Stevens

          I don’t know why you’re insisting on telling us that we have to be scared, but I’m ont buying it.

          • Swamp_Yankee

            We no longer have a fulibuster. I live in a one party state where Reps have no recourse. Its easy to act likea yahoo on some message board. But when those radicals are lined up for judicial spots, I’ll even take a moderate if it will stop the forced busing/gay marriage lunatics from fillings our benches for thrity years.

          • http://www.hakubi.us/ Neil Stevens

            I think you’re detached from fact and history if you think Specter was ever a reliable vote, especially against left-wing judges.

            Specter wasn’t ever a moderate. He’s a full-throated, pro-mass-infanticide weasel.

          • Swamp_Yankee

            That’s important to me. I dont know. I hope he stays that way, but I doubt it. I fight for my country. I fight for issues. In 2012, Republicans will slaughter Dems in the Senate. In 2010, I’d like to pick up a seat or two. There are dozens of Dems in Red states and that is an abomination including Arkansas. The goal is how to get from 4/28/09 to 2010 with the least amount of damage. I will personally go to Nebraska and grovel at Ben Nelson’s feet if that’s what it takes to stop EFCA. I’m not playing cowboys and indians. This isnt Red Sox versus Yankees. I dont care about cheerleading and vendettas. I want EFCA STOPPED>

          • http://www.hakubi.us/ Neil Stevens
          • Swamp_Yankee

            I dont care about 2010 races yet. I am working on stopping Right To Work states from turning into Michigan and Massachusetts.

            When those Toyota plants and Saturn plants down South and Walmart goes union and all those union dues are funneled in Dem races and all those thugs are standing outside polling places and intimidating voters and when the odds of winning down South and out West are as good as winning in Philly, Mass, and Mich. maybe some people will get the picture.

          • JoeG

            The N.E. is full of disarmed wimps.

            Try that outside the polling places in the south and you’ll find out how many gun owning rednecks there are.

          • http://www.redstate.com/evanweeks/ EvanWeeks

            … the carnage. Better than UFC.

          • mom2oneson

            I live in a very republican area in the south and I saw a lot of volunteer lawyers that were here from SC escorting elderly black women and their *entire* family to the front the back to the front of the voting line. I didn’t see the same offers of help go to elderly white men or white women with babies to the front of the line. I wasn’t sure what to make of it. There are a lot of retired military here so there were a lot of elderly men in line. I think elderly people should go first and maybe one adult that is with them but not an entire family and why were they only assisting black families?

          • AceInTX

            “Dems suck” didn’t work in 2006 and 2008…and i9t won’t in 2010.

            We have to stand for something so people can believe in us…Specter and his RMSP buddies stand in the way of that…

            Good to see him go…let’s see if the Caucus has the good sense to take him off his committees in the mean time and put our own there!

        • Maggie_in_Indiana

          if they react as though it’s a big blow,then the party looks weak,If they react relieved to shed the “mushy” members then we may just show we are serious about returning to the party of Reagan. either way we are still going to have an up hill battle in 2010. These tea parties are a good start and sites like this one are such a good source for the those who have questions on what party lines really are. Yep,it’s a concern Spector jumping ship,but it will be worth it in the long haul. for the party anyway. Ummm. Interesting to see how this shakes out for the next few weeks.

      • AceInTX

    • AceInTX

      Wonder what the “Republican” Main Street Partneship will say about this since they’ve lost yet another of their members!

      Their ranks are thinning fast over there. I guess Republicans running as Democrat lite isn’t working so well for them!

      • http://hillbillypolitics.com Steph C

        was almost an echo of Alan Colmes quitting the Hannity and Colmes show… “My work is done.”

        In other words he’s done all the damage he can do to the Republican Party as a Republican so he’s going home now because he’s needed to push the progressive agenda further than it’s ever been pushed before.

        • AceInTX

          is because the Democrats wouldn’t let him run against the incumbent Dem DA in Philly in the 60s…he switched his registration to Republican and won as DA and never looked back…

          One other interesting fact about him…he is the author of the magic bullet theory in the Warren Committee Hearings on the Kennedy Assasination…That’s the bullet that supposedly went through Kennedy’s neck…magically changed direction in mid air and ended up smashing Governor Connelly’s wrist.

          • http://hillbillypolitics.com Steph C
  • DaBoogieMan

    maybe this is a sign of things to come!

    Spector thinks more people registered democrat so he’ll run as a RAT.

    Hey knucklehead, it was called Operation Chaos!

    LOL!

    • Maggie_in_Indiana

      I mean after all they are welcoming squishy rino’s,maybe snowe and collins will join them too.

      • http://www.hakubi.us/ Neil Stevens

        Remember this?

        Specter and Kerry

        • Maggie_in_Indiana
        • Rod_Patrick
      • AceInTX

        Getting rid of Snowe and Collins would help us…but we’ll still pander to them…because that’s what Republicans do!

  • peg_c

    He says the party has moved further to the right. What planet does he live on? Further right than when Reagan was president? If only!

    Time to winnow out all the RINOs – we’ve got nothing to lose. It will be interesting to see Toomey run for that seat.

    I blame W for Toomey not getting the seat in 2004. Shame on him for sticking with this old fool.

  • PaRep

    You SUCKERS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    • E Pluribus Unum

      Although we the people are the ones paying the price.

  • sickofitall

    Judicial nominations, cabinet positions, absurd “truth” tribunals, spending, the list goes on and on. Is there some kind of recall option in PA? If not we have to look at all of our options to limit the wholesale destruction of everything that’s good in America before he loses in ignomy in ’10.

    • Swamp_Yankee

      Super liberal Deval Patrick.

      Your right, he can do a LOT of damage. We sould be thinking of ways to minimize . People joyously celebrating are misguided. No single policy initiatve is as damaging for Republicans as EFCA. Spending. you can cut later. Taxes, you can lower later. But you cant de-unionize.

      • antisocial

        You think Specter going out is heart-breaking? You think you are going to get conservative judges? What world are you living in?

    • Thomas_Hauber

      Specter would have done his own thing anyways. It matter not one bit whether he has an R or a D after his name.

      If you thought he was going to vote against an Obama liberal judge I have some land in Florida to sell you.

      • Swamp_Yankee

        Dems are pushing 60. He pomised a No on EFCA. If you think that means nothing, I know you don’t live in Philly, Boston or Detroit.

        Thug nation is coming. And the Dems coffers will be loaded.

        • AceInTX

          Wake up for Pete’s sake

        • Vegas_Rick
      • Common_Cents

        He’ll go hog wild when in the pen w/ the Dems.

    • Old_Dominion

      Members of Congress cannot be recalled. Only state and local officials.

  • loewenbrau

    of

  • jeffreywturner

    Hopefully, a life-long, well-known Democrat decides to run and ousts Specter in the Democratic Primary. How incredibly sweet would that be?

    • Section9

      This is a fixed game. I am sure Rendell and Emanuel were involved.

    • red4ever

      Someone was prepping to run in the Dem primary. I doubt that person will just step aside now. Even if the party asks him to in order to keep the seniorityof the seat.

      Just as an aside, I am a moderate Republican. You sir, Sen. Spector, are no moderate Republican. You are a lefty liberal.

    • http://andrightlyso.com/ civil_truth

      So long as he jumps a few hoops (e.g. card check), he’s got a lock on the Democratic primary.

  • AceInTX

    Finally some truth in advertising! Specter hasn’t been a Republican since he switched parties years ago…his lifetime ACU raring is in the 40% range.

    Good bye and good riddance Arlen!

    • antisocial

      But you are right most of the times.

      Celebrate the cleansing of GOP… Cheers!!!

      • AceInTX

    • mikefisk

      …but unless the PA GOP runs a credible candidate against him, even a weakened Specter will be able to easily roll a weak Republican candidate in an increasingly-blue state.

      I don’t trust the Pennsylvania Republican Party to do this, needless to say.

      It’s time for the torch and pitchfork squads, people. Not necessarily to the RINOs in Congress, but more appropriately their enablers in the party structure that allow them to operate as they do. Even the most conservative of Democrats vote like their ultra-liberal brethren because they know the party is breathing down their back the whole time. Republicans seem to get praise when they openly defy their own base.

      As Kos said about our troops in Iraq, let us say about our feckless party leaders – “screw them”. I refuse to accept permanent minority status just as much as I refuse to accept the Republican Party’s out and out betrayal of people from my end of the spectrum.

      Never again.

    • Section9

      ….but NOOOOOOOOO!!!!

      You know who this hurts?

      Good, moderate Republicans who are loyal to the Party and supported Specter, Snowe and Collins throught the years but didn’t identify with the more Southern Flavor of the Party. We’re trying to rebuild in the Midwest and the Northeast.

      Some people have to learn that trying to be Democrat Lite just won’t cut it.

      • Aaron Gardner

        And to imply that it is is pretty stupid if you ask me.

        • AceInTX

          The “Big Tent” meme has lost it’s cache so they are reaching back to Eisenhower and nixon to pull out a moldy oldy…they used to say then that we’d become a “regional” Party is Conservatives had their way…and Regan proved them as the fools they always were!

          This is no different!

          • Rod_Patrick

            Reagan visibility as the Republican nominee for President didn’t start in the election of 1980. It was a gradual process that continued from his1976 narrow loss in the primary vs. Ford and then later peaked in 1980. After Ford’s loss in 1976, it’s obvious that the Party more or less aligned itself with Reagan, besides other potential candidates including Bush1.

            Reagan’s intention or determination to become President fueled him to defeat the incumbent Democrat, Carter. Ambition was also an important element in the whole persona of Reagan. He never denied that.

            Reagan didn’t just rely on Carter’s mistakes and poor governance. Reagan was a successful Governor of California. Plus, he was then a VERY POPULAR guy both inside and outside Hollywood. Half of the Hollywood and the MSM supported him. He had his own unique “philosophy” and strategy in presenting his conservative principles and beliefs – conservative yet very mainstream. He was also a strong and unabashed “critic” and nemesis of Carter from 1977-1980.

            Plus it was a time when there were still significant number of conservatives.

            I pray that you are right in saying that our current period is just like the Carter days. Using that comparison, in order to beat Obama in 2012, our modern Reagan must make himself/herself “visible” NOW.

            But who? Is there anyone out there?

            If we have no “Reagan” today, the Age of Obama will end up just like the days of FDR.

            We are in a very perilous time, bro. We need to identify and support that modern “Reagan” soonest and help him/her to prepare an excellent “resume” before the 2012 election.

          • AceInTX

            But who? Is there anyone out there?

            I agree with everything you say above Rod…My point in my post however was to pint ot that nothing the Moderates in this party do is new…the Big Tent thing is getting to be a tired and worn out cliche’ and Conservatives are making traction against that arguement by pointing people to the Pale Pastels portion of Reagan’s speech that included a big tent.

            As for “who is the next Reagan”…and what person currently can carry he conservative mantel forward with boldness? I wish I knew

          • Rod_Patrick

            I’ll die as a conservative. I will never allow someone dictate to me what I should or should not believe in.

            This Big Tent blah blah blah is just a farcical attack to the conservative principles. Specter is lying. Toomey didn’t want to primary him for the reason of the gay or pro-life issue. Toomey is just one of us…. against the Porkulus.

            Gosh. Snowe and Graham are quick to their defense of Specter and are using this issue to promote BIG TENT.

            BIG TENT == BIG (giant) TENTACLES TO KILL CONSERVATIVISM INSIDE THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

            In short….. it’s suicide.

          • AceInTX

            Statement from RNC Chairman Michael Steele:

            “Some in the Republican Party are happy about this. I am not. Let’s be honest-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.”

          • AceInTX
          • Rod_Patrick

            Reports say that Biden talked to Specter FOURTEEN (14) times.

            The agenda? We all know now – to convince Specter switch to Democrats and embarass the GOP and make a spectacle that the GOP is REALLY SHRINKING. Democrats orchestrated it for their own gain.

            Anyway, it’s still a good riddance.

          • JadedByPolitics

            ..

          • Aaron Gardner

            with the first sentence he gave a subtle backhand to the Conservatives in the party who are absolutely fine with Specter finally changing the letter at the end of his name to actually match his politics.

            Further more, Steele should be happy that RNC money won’t be used to once again support a traitorous a$$ clown like Specter.

            He provided cover for Specters years of traitorous actions with that first sentence which by extension proves he hasn’t learned the lesson from this. It also provides cover for the ME sisters.

            Color me unimpressed.

      • AceInTX

        you keep trying to rebuild in the northeast and Midwest by running the same kind of people using the same losing strategies over and over again…We southerners have the good sense to get the hell away from a dog that insists on biting your face…

        This is as predictable as the sun rising in the Morning…and if the going get’s tough for Snowe and Collins, you can bet your bottom dollar they’ll do the same thing…

    • pilgrim

      .

  • antisocial

    Seriously… I suspect it is. Consider the budget, healthcare and green movement….

    GOP is better off without these scoundrels.

    Thank GOD.

    • paulincolo

      Clear the field of dem primary opponents and dem senatorial campaign cash in exchange for every big vote the next 2 years.

      • antisocial

        http://www.politico.com/politico44/perm/0409/specter_5642ba9c-d453-4fc1-96dc-5edb38690272.html

        Contents just in case you don’t want to go to another site…

        “OBAMA CALLS SPECTER: POTUS talked to Specter at 10:32 this morning from the Oval Office, said Dems are “thrilled to have you,” according to a White House aide. — Jonathan Martin (12:16 p.m.)
        MORE: President Obama was informed of Sen. Arlen Specter’s decison to switch parties at 10:25 this morning while receiving his daily economic briefing in the Oval Office, according to a White House official.
        Obama was handed a note by an aide that read: “Specter is announcing he is changing parties.”
        The president reached Sen. Specter, one of only three Republicans to support his stimulus package, on the phone at 10:32 and told him “you have my full support.” He added that we are “thrilled to have you.”

        Officials close to the White House say that Vice President Joe Biden, who served in the Senate with Specter for 28 years from next door Delaware and became close to him through their work on the Judiciary Committee, played a pivotal if quiet role in persuading the five-term senator to switch parties. — Jonathan Martin (12:22 p.m.)”

  • loewenbrau

    of our opinion regarding the turncoat. They are salivating at the consolidation of power. What happens in Congress will be bad enough but has anyone thought about the Supreme Court?

    Our country is in peril—-we need more than the obvious remarks—-we need to start supporting as many candidates ( at the local level), as possible and not stop our vigilance.

  • Husker

    Next, someone will tell me Clay Aiken is gay.

    • BlueLandRed

      Clay Aiken is gay.

  • jonreagan

    When Senator Phil Gramm decided the time had come to change parties, he resigned his seat in Congress, and ran as a Republican. There was some degree of risk, given that Texas wasn’t quite solid red in those days. Lloyd Benstsen, a Democrat, was Texas’ other US Senator.

    The point is, Gramm felt that he was breaking a compact with the Democrat Party in Texas, and that the only ethical way to switch parties was to run again as a Republican. Arlen Specter could never understand this type of character, and moral compass.

    • red_oakster

      not the Senate. Still you’re right that it’s a more principled thing to do. That said, a Senate resignation would mean Rendell would name a replacement until the next election.

  • Section9

    Look at it from his point of view. He had lost the support of the PA Republican Party a long time ago. So, he went to Emanuel and Eddie Rendell and made them an offer they couldn’t refuse. Of course they went for it, for a price.

    Arlen will run unopposed in the D primary, then resign midway thorugh his term so Eddie can appoint an Outfit Guy to the seat.

    The smarter play on Arlen’s part would have been to be an “independent Dem” and go moderate, like Joe. But I suspected the D’s wanted all or nothing.

    This is just bad optics for Arlen. He was just out to save his a$$. How godd**n pathetic.

    • robmikpet

      in the Republican party. It is very simple

      1) They want power
      2) Where they run for office is Republican
      3) They become a Republican.

      That is why RINO is so appropriate.

      • red_oakster

        nt

        The 60th vote is much more important (assuming Franken gets seated)

  • golfermike

    Arlen Sphincter shows his true colors that it’s more important to hold power than to hold fast to principles. The man has never been a moderate as the media claims, but has always leaned to the left. At least he’s no longer a RINO.

    It’s clear he did this only for his own political advantage because he knew he was going to get creamed in the primary. This is the kind of thing people remember and hopefully will work against him in 2010. This is a race that the RNC really needs to target because IMHO, Spector is vulnerable.

    • 6eorge Jetson

      The Dems may do some serious, hard-to-rollback damage for the rest of this term, but purging this type of cancer is necessary to restore the soul of the Republican party, and with it, a purpose.

  • JadedByPolitics

    this is nothing to be alarmed about and something WE KNEW he was one and now WE have the proof in his own words so now WE don’t have to have heartburn over his votes & OBTW he will be LOSING in 2010 no matter what he calls himself!

    • olsmithie
  • Brian Hibbert

    They managed to pay for the election of the 60th Democrat in the senate.

    They should stay OUT of the primaries! Let the local Republicans deal with the primaries, then come in and support the nominee in the general.

    I hope they’ve at least learned THIS lesson.

  • AceInTX

    The fact that he’s been the ranking Republican on the Judiciary has always been a travesty…if he’s switching Parties for the elections…then he should switch NOW and Republicans need to get someone who represents us to replace him!

    • naraht

      Ranking member will almost certainly go to Orin Hatch who is on the Judiciary Committee, more senior than Specter and is the only Senator more senior than Specter of either party who isn’t Chair or Ranking of any committee.

      Be interesting to see if he ends up with being chair of a Committee for the Democrats or if he stays on Justice (bumping another Democrat) or both.

      • AceInTX

        so he’ll caucus with Repubs. If I heard wrong and he is caucusing with Dems you are right…but I don’t think it’s automatic if he caucuses with the Repubs till the election!

  • TxCon

    for saying the NRSC would support him for re-election.

    • http://impudent.blognation.us/blog kyle8

      nt

  • Thomas_Hauber

    If I remember correctly the last time a Republican senator switched to the Democrats was back in 40′s or early 50′s. And I believe it didn’t work out too well for that fellow either.

    • naraht

      No one since 1890 has jumped *directly* from Republican to Democrat, and the last one to get there eventually was Wayne Morse who was a Republican from 1945 to 1953, and independent from 1953 to 1955 and a Democrat from 1955 to 1969.
      (This according to http://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/common/briefing/senators_changed_parties.htm)

      While there were some wierdities during the time he was an independent and he got the last choices on Committee assignments, when he completely switched over it was in 1955 when the Democrats too over the Senate. He was relected twice, in 1956 and 1962 and lost in the General in 1968 to Bob Packwood. He also lost in the General in 1970 to Mark Hatfield and was preparing to run yet again in 1974 when he died.

      So if it works out the same for Specter, he’ll get two more re-elections out of it, in 2010 and 2016 before being defeated in 2022. I think he’ll take that over trying to go head to head in the primary with Toomey in 2010.

    • JoeG

      Switched in 2001 making Tom Dashle the illegitimate Senate Majority Leader.

      It didn’t work well for Jeffords or Dashle.

    • AceInTX
  • The_Rebel

    assignments, then he should be replaced as minority leader. It’s time for a full blood bath now.

    • antisocial

      and its needed badly. I want to give this guy a hug and cpl of bucks for leaving.

      He did listen to most people here. My peers are surprised why I am so happy today after a long time… Yes I am!!!!

  • Gunny_Highway

    What took him so long? This may come back to haunt him.

    Now lets get someone in there who is a real Republican.

  • mustango

    …that netting the Democrat nomination will be any easier? I hardly think whoever was ramping up to challenge him for that seat in 2010 is just going to fold up now. And if there’s anything 2008 should have taught us, it’s that Dems won’t support a “reach across the aisle” guy when they can have someone who’s had both feet planted over there all along.

  • http://www.RedState.com/ETCartman Kenny Solomon

    Cigars and Port on me.

    The left has 60 ? OK, they own it all now. Everything that happens is on them.

    I sincerely “hope” they have fun with their “change”…. I’ll keep The Constitution and The Bill Of Rights.

    Locked, loaded and waiting with no want or desire for the need to use my AR, 12 ga., 9mm and crossbow for anything other than competitions and training.

    Cheers !

  • Marcus_Traianus

    Wait until he finds how far Pennsylvania has “moved to the right”.

    Specter;
    - Voted for a “stimulus” package that has saddled generations wwith $9 trillion in debt, earmarks, wasted spending and put us on the road to nationalized healthcare

    - Pushed for terrorists to have habeus rights and access to US courts. We can all take comfort in this decision as irrregular terrorist combatants are released in the US or sent to Montana

    There is not enough room to write about all the times Mr. Specter abandoned his constituents.

    The coupe de grace was Specter’s stimulus bill vote which substantially killed his chances to win in a primary or general for that matter.

    So I wish Arlen and his new “friends” a great deal of luck. Although I recommend considering a primary challenger (after you are done with him).

    As an aside, there is nothing more despicable than a politician who pretends to stand on moral ground for a decision after his electoral mortality, and almost inevitable demise has been revealed.

    Pennsylvania deserves better.

  • izoneguy

    I would love to see some “news” reports interviewing voters who voted for Specter. Better yet -if you voted for Specter – interview yourself and post it on YOUTUBE and CNN.

    • Uma Richie

      It’s like going to confession.

      I was overseas and voted absentee. I had a lousy dial-up connection that we paid for by the minute so I didn’t spend much time reading any current events information. I bought into the idea that Specter had a better chance in general, and that it was more important to keep the Senate in GOP hands. Santorum’s endorsement sealed the deal. My parents tried to warn me but I didn’t listen.

      I am not rejoicing over this news. I worry about Philly’s impact on PA statewide elections. The only bright side is that Specter will no longer taint the GOP brand. Now, can Republicans from other states please learn from my mistake?

  • http://andrightlyso.com/ civil_truth

    Actually, I think he will support an “amended” “bipartisan” alternative that will be as bad or worse than what’s proposed now.

    If Specter plans to run and win as a Democrat, the only way he can do so is with union support, which means he has to support card check (else they will back a primary opponent).

    Then again, he has always been a union man – he only came out against card check in the hope of pre-empting Republican primary challengers. Once he figured out he would lose anyway, it was time to “come out”.

    • http://www.hakubi.us/ Neil Stevens

      Remember: for Specter, it’s All About Him. He may oppose it just to spite his new party, the way he stuck it to us so often.

      And besides, who’s the left going to vote for? Toomey?

      He’ll do what he wants and win the primary.

      • AceInTX

        He could get away with it on our side…if the Dems need him and he doesn’t go along…they’ll make him pay!

        Where ya been BTW?

        • http://www.hakubi.us/ Neil Stevens

          They haven’t lifted a finger against Landrieu or either Nelson. The party barely slapped Lieberman on the wrist after he *campaigned against the Democrat*.

          Specter will do what he wants, and the only way he loses is if the Republican beats him. He won’t lose a primary.

          • AceInTX

            Unless I’m mistaken…my take is that Landrieu and Nelson vote the Party line when they are needed and only defect when the Repubs give the Dems cover…

            I should distinguish between actual floor votes here and caucus votes about what will go to the floor…You rarely see them break ranks when it’s a Republican Bill that needs their vote to pass it.

          • http://www.hakubi.us/ Neil Stevens

            The party leadership did no such thing.

            The primary voters kicked Lieberman out. The leadership was mixed, with some of them refusing to endorse the guy who beat Lieberman in the primary.

            And then when Lieberman won, he suffered no consequences in the Senate.

            Even after campaigning with John McCain, he’s kept key committee slots.

            And Specter’s never been one to campaign for a Republican for anything. He accepted help but never gave it, and ertainl won’t now.

            So Specter will never, ever be punished by Reid and co. for anything. Nor will he be punished in Pennsylvania by his good friends Rendell and Casey.

          • Aaron Gardner

            or to put it plainly, Will Big Labor threaten him enough to change his vote on EFCA…that is after all the real power in the Dem party…Reid and Pelosi are pawns.

          • http://www.hakubi.us/ Neil Stevens

            Without Rendell, his former employee, running against him he’s invincible in the primary.

          • Aaron Gardner

            well at least some…they are already discussing strategy to primary him….though many are echoing you as well.

          • AceInTX

            I would also distinguish between the Dem Caucus in the Senate VS Dem voters…let’s see what his next election is like.

        • http://andrightlyso.com/ civil_truth

          He only verbally broke ranks over card check to try to take the wind out of his conservative opponents. When he saw the numbers, he jumped ship.

          The Democrats already were planning on running token opposition. With his name recognition and seniority, once he pays his dues to the unions, no Democrat will seriously try to oppose him.

          • http://www.hakubi.us/ Neil Stevens

            Who can beat him without Rendell stepping up?

          • AceInTX
          • AceInTX

            He won’t be thumbing his nose in such a public way against the Dems or they’ll dump him!

  • Finrod

    “Republicans look forward to beating Sen. Specter in 2010, assuming the Democrats don’t do it first.” — Michael Steele

    (link)

    • Maggie_in_Indiana

      on card check and health care and every other liberal policy they want in place by 2010 elections. He’ll surely cement his place in the hearts of the Dem’s so there won’t be any contender from their side for his seat.

      He’ll become Obama’s biggest fan on MSNBC,CNN,and the wash room at Democrat headquarters.
      Maybe though we’ll get a better chairman on the Judaical committee

      • http://andrightlyso.com/ civil_truth

        The Democratic nomination was always his for the asking – and had he been able to win the Republican nomination, the Democrats would have run only token opposition.

        The only course correction he needs to do is to flip-flop to spearhead ECFA (or some ghastly face-saving mutation thereof). Plus back every other key union bill. This won’t be a problem since Specter has always been labor’s guy.

      • LibRick

        To get funding and no D challenger he’ll likely have to make his bones with his new party. Not sure the electorate will take to kindly to this.

        • http://andrightlyso.com/ civil_truth

          …but do be aware that there is a lot of venting going on, so discussions today may not be as well reasoned as usual.

          • LibRick

            I posted my view on the impact below (minimal and maybe a GOP plus) and I am aware that some members in this community are venting, and rightfully so. But in venting, people bring up good points.

      • Aaron Gardner

        see here

  • rsrob

    Toomey should crush this guy…

  • stang

    Spares us the intraparty fratricide of a contested primary. Assuming no one else jumps in to contest Toomey.

  • AKSteveB

    I’m going to break my rule of not donating to out of state races, to donate to Pat Toomey. The one nice thing out of all of this is, the Dems will learn to hate the narcissistic blowhard Specter, as much as we have. What a fitting end to his self serving career.

    • olsmithie

      There is some justice, I think they deserve him.

      Regards

      • olsmithie
    • JoeG

      I think we should let the local party pick who is to run against spincter.

      Once that choice is made, make sure they are well funded.

  • olsmithie

    Now to scrape away a few more of the barnacles.

    Good riddance to bad garbage.

    Wished that he had done it decades ago.

    Snow? Collins? any others feel froggy, then please jump.
    You’re RINOs anyway, never be missed and the party brand will have a chance to regain respectability.

    Regards

    See!! there is still some good news out there…

  • Bham

    It’s essentially unanimous — here at RS at least — that Arlen Specter is a detestable politician, an opportunist, a careerist, and a whole bunch of other unflattering descriptions. Flail away, fellow conservatives, I say Amen.

    But the threads I’ll be much more interested to read will deal with how we can play our congressional hand without a threat of filibuster.

    Before Specter’s treachery, the Dems were already making noises about playing loose with the Senate rules to steamroller a nationalized health bill with only 51 votes…how much more swagger will they have with 60?

    Yes, the Dems can’t resist overreaching, and thereby start a backlash that could manifest as soon as Nov 2010…but that political correction is only a possibility, and my mind swims thinking of how much damage they can do between now and 4Q2010.

  • reaganlover

    The weasel only switched to save his worthless hide from losing in the primary. I never trusted or had any respect for him. He was to Republicans as Joe Lieberman was to the Democrats, as far as I am concerned. Good riddance. When will that other idiot Sen. Collins become ad Democrat?

  • LibRick

    1. Specter’s switch doesn’t make the senate filibuster proof. It already was leaning that way with him, Snow, and Collins.

    2. He will probably side with the senate “bluedogs.” They don’t help the GOP agenda but they do slow the more radical liberal agenda.

    3. This frees up GOP funding to put on a good general fight rather than an expensive primary fight. A lot of regular people don’t like party switchers — kind of shows that the candidate is more interested in re-election than in representing the will of the people that got him there in the first place.

    • TxCon

      I am so sick and tired of hearing about Bluedogs. They always vote the democratic party line in critical votes. Outside of 4 or 5 in the House, they do not exist. Especially in the Senate

    • TxCon

      I am so sick and tired of hearing about Bluedogs. They always vote the democratic party line in critical votes. Outside of 4 or 5 in the House, they do not exist. Especially in the Senate

      • http://www.ssce.net/Web-Articles/Web-articles-indexed-authors.html#authors-l JLenardDetroit

        I know I could have stomached Benedict Arlene disreSpecter had he been a Red Dog (along the lines of the, now proving to only be a MYTH, Blue-Dog) rather than a RINO….

        A Red-Dog would-be/is someone that is a Moderate to Liberal Republican on some issues but would STAND WITH THE PARTY come those hard Party-line votes where they are really needed. Those BLUE-DOGS were supposed to be willing to vote the hard Conservative Vote but have proven that the DEMOCRAT label comes first over the CONSERVATIVE part — OK, by that definition I could handle RED-DOG REPUBLICANS that would be willing to vote their conscience whenever – but when we (and in this case the “we” means Republicans – which in the usual sub-text would also mean Conservative because the core of the Republican base and majority that when voting actually gets Republicans majorities is Conservative) have control and votes of passage of Republican(Party Platform related)/Conservative agenda items are close that they vote in line with the Party.

        So…. when it comes to BLUE STATE Elections, I can/will support RED-DOG Candidates in order to allow them to be competitive and get elected, but they had better prove to be my contention of a RED-DOG and not a RINO.

        Thoughts?!?!?

        • LibRick

          before, but I think it’s a good one and your definition is apt too. Your Red Dog definition is much tighter than RINO.

      • LibRick

        Evan Bayh, Tom Carper, Bob Casey, Kent Conrad, Dianne Feinstein, Daniel Inouye, Amy Klobuchar, Mary Landrieu, Blanche Lincoln, Claire McCaskill, Barbara Mikulski, Bill Nelson, Ben Nelson, Mark Pryor, Ken Salazar, Jim Webb.

        I can imagine that you are rolling you eyes right now. But keep in mind that blue dogs are not Republicans and tend to be left of RINOs. However, they are the part of the Democratic party that Republicans can deal with, as opposed to the far left democrats. They tend to be for fiscal responsibility and mildly for 2nd amendment rights (don’t know about Feinstein, though) — at least as far as a democrat can go on those issues.

        They serve more to temper the Democratic Party line rather than vote against it. If they weren’t there, the legislation moved forward by the far left would likely make your head explode! Probably mine too!

        • Common_Cents

          1. Olympia Snowe, Maine: (ACU Rating: 12)
          (Only one point higher than liberal Democrat Hillary Clinton who the ACU scored an 11, and an astonishing 4 points lower than Senate Majority Leader, Harry Reid?s 16.)

          2. Susan Collins, Maine: 20
          (Collins received the same score as liberal Claire McCaskill, and 4 points lower than Russ Feingold?s 24)

          3. Arlen Specter, PA: 42 (Only 10 points higher than Mary Landrieu?s 32)

          4. George Voinovich, OH: 52

          5. Lisa Murkowski, AL: 58

          6. Mel Martinez, FL: 60

          7. John McCain, AZ: 63

          8. Richard Lugar, Ind: 63

          9. Robert Bennett, UT: 64

          10. Thad Cochran, Miss: 68

          • LibRick

            Apparently Snow and Collins are way to the left of Specter. As I’ve posted in other places on this thread, the fact that Specter changed affiliation from R to D is not that significant. The ACU rankings you post shows that Collins and Snow are more D thinking than Specter or even some way liberal D’s.

        • TxCon

          on the Porkulus Bill which is the antithesis of fiscal responsibility. So spare me the lectures.

          • LibRick

            I apologize if that is how it came across.

          • TxCon

            I just get sick and tired of hearing about all of the “Blue Dogs”. They all talk big, but when it’s time for the rubber to meet the road, they vote with Reid and Pelosi.

    • http://andrightlyso.com/ civil_truth

      1) As a Democrat, Specter is subject to party discipline; if he bucks the leadership on a key vote (esp a filibuster vote), they can retaliate, The Republican Senate leadership refuses to exert such discipline.

      That is, as a Republican, he could vote in ways that would maximize his personal political gain. As a Democrat, the leadership may force him to vote on certain ways that won’t curry favor in PA.

      In other words, he will find his wings clipped. On the other hand, he won’t be able to subvert Republican unity from the inside.

      2) I don’t know his record well enough to assay that. My PA friends would know that better. Do you have any evidence that he fits a “Blue Dog” profile?

      3) I’m sure I’ll be hearing from my PA friends in the next few days, but the Republican primary is not a lock for Toomey. There is another solid conservative who actually had announced – before Toomey I think – and the two have different bases. Unless they can work something out, there may still be a primary fight ahead.

      The difference is that Specter won’t be around to sneak in if the conservative split too evenly. But now that Specter is out, the conservatives need to figure out how to navigate a path to get the general election united and with the money they need – and an expensive and divisive primary fight make it easy for Specter.

      Perhaps he’s hoping for a fight now that there’s not common enemy. Again, I suspect I’ll hear from my PA friends before long.

      • LibRick

        On party discipline — The D’s operate differently than the R’s. Remember Lieberman? He ran independent, supported an R for the presidency and still retained his committee assignments. Specter can call his own shots because just like Lieberman, he is a swing vote.(good for spreading his wings) There was no retaliation on Lieberman and I doubt there will be any party discipline applied to Specter.

        Specters record — Thanks for bringing that up I did a bit of research on it and I see why he is painted as a RINO here and on many other sites. I concede that I was wrong on this. His record is more liberal than I thought.

        On the Republican primary fight — This is internal to the R party debate. In order to maximize chances of beating Specter, R’s need to run a solid candidate with little primary opposition. I don’t know that much about Toomey. He may be your guy. But Specter’s support on the D side may be a bit soft. I don’t think Specter, at this point ,has any base at all. The traitor thing might play well.

        • antisocial

          Remember???

    • pilgrim

      Only one Senate D (Ben Nelson) is less liberal than Specter according to ACU lifetime ratings. I do not accept the MSM meme that Specter is a moderate. Specter is a liberal who now chooses to have a D after his name.

  • http://www.AmericanThinker.com Hammer2008

    I’ll have to revise this to Shame on the GOP2 and find a new picture. Then again, I’d like to know what the reactions of Maine’s Senators are to Specter’s switch and their own votes for the seven thousand $1,000,000.00 porkulus…

    http://www.redstate.com/hammer2008/2009/02/13/shame-on-the-gop-3-shame-on-you/

    • Princeliberty

      I am wondering when Collins will switch parties.

      Just you watch…

  • Common_Cents

    Specter said Reps moved far right and had they supported Chafee, Spector would be the chairman of the judiciary committee. This is a self interested cry baby taking his ball and going home to the DEM party.

    We are going to suffer greatly but I guess its necessary to hang this radical experiment clearly on the DEMS and hopefully come back someday from the damage they are going to do over the next couple years at least.

  • JustLeaveMeAlone

    Wanna bet he made a deal with the Dems? And should they trust him? The guy allowed the Republican Party to pay for his prior elections. Then, when the going gets rough, instead of manning-up, he cuts and runs.

    Buh-bye, Traitor.

  • asleep06

    Surprise, surprise.

    • http://www.hakubi.us/ Neil Stevens

      Specter’s awfully far to the left. He’s no moderate.

  • Hera

    Specter has been a RINO for years and was going down to defeat in the GOP primary next year he switched parties in order to save his political life. He’s as corrupt and unprincipled as most of the Washington elite,so good riddance.What I want to see is Specter go down to defeat as a Dem next year.

  • http://www.ssce.net/Web-Articles/Web-articles-indexed-authors.html#authors-l JLenardDetroit

    for demonstrating all the years of you being called a RINO were correct. That you care only about YOUR BEING IN THE SENATE to protect your paycheck and pension and not a wit about the Health and Welfare of the Nation. That you cared nothing about being Republican, and often less so about any Conservative ideals only caring to vote for them when it required NO COURAGE to do so in order to protect the DEMOCRAT VOTES you were (now, not quite still openly admitting to) garnering to insure your continued returns to the US Senate.

    I, at least, have retained respect for Joe Lieberman for his going to Independent out of PRINCIPLE…. You, Mr. Spectacle sir, have FINALLY admitted the truth and I THANK YOU for it! Thank you for demonstrating that you have only been a Republican to hoodwink some votes on top of your Democrat base, to whom you have mostly proven your loyalty, as of late anyway. Thanks for rallying Conservatives and Republicans alike, so that we can work for getting someone in/from PA that cares about someone/something other than Self!!!!

    I do NOT entirely disagree with Senator Graham, when he went on FOX and spoke of Reagan “if you are with me 80% of the time, you are my friend.” I agree with that MOST OF THE TIME and I have no problem with the notion that Moderate Republicans may be the only ones that may indeed be able to win in some/certain areas (the Blue-est of the Blue). I really don’t…. HOWEVER, I do have a great expectation that any/all Republicans rally at key critical Vote times and am very unforgiving of those who fail to stand with the Conservative Majority in the Party at those times! Sorry, that is my position, and my honesty to be willing to be flexible in some cases (which is really basically only to be respectful to other viewpoints and to form a Majority coalition) will cause me some grief from some around here and my inflexibility at times (to adhere to core Conservative values) will cause me grief from others at other times. I have never been a fan of Specter, and I will NEVER support McCain again either! I can only hope that McLame will cross-over now, or have the balls unlike Specter, to go Independent!

  • engulfedinflames

    A.S. do I need to say anymore?

  • Common_Cents
  • engulfedinflames

    I new he was a rat when he came up with that stupid single bullett deal what a dope no a dippy dope now all those people who thought they were voting for a real man a republicMAN just got screwed agin. whats next we alredy got commies in our GOV111111111!! i guess krushev won the cold war even thou Ronald Reegan won the cold war now we have to fite it all over agin. this time nuke em.I did not now he was a democRAT. If hes a RINO you cant expect no loyalty no way. Who would say they were one thing then be another thing witch there not???? only a RAT. I think he is a RAT and good riddence to bad rubish. Arlen Speckter joined the party that bows down to muslems how does it smell down theyre you dirty rat.

  • dld1717

    First, this news today pissed me off. The Dems have 60 seats do u realize the damage they can do now? To think in 1994 we won Congress and now we have less then 40 members and lets be honest folks 2010 looks bad for us. We could lose NH, MO, NC, KY, OH, and FL and I see hardly any locks for pickups.

    1. I do wish we could allow the Republican party to have more people elected on its views. I would rather have a Snowe or Collins then 2 Dems representing Maine for example. I would rather have a Lingle, Castle get our support then not.

    As for Arlen this was a turncoat. You don’t leave ur friends and colleagues like he is. You don’t raise 6.5 million from Republicans for past 6 years and then stick knife in them.

    Again, I am mad but so fearful

    Its time for the Huckabees, Thommy Thompson, etc to stand up and help their party. This is bull if they don’t

    • Martin Knight

      So losing him “officially* makes no difference in the grand scheme of things.

      1. I do wish we could allow the Republican party to have more people elected on its views.

      As usual, you’ve got it backwards here – we’ve been electing Specters, Jeffords and Chafees, people whose views more matched up with the Democrats than the GOP in a bid to “welcome moderates.”

      This is the result.

  • TNJim

    but dittos to all the “good riddance” comments above. I can’t really add anything to what has all been said already.

  • avgamerican

    Specter is exactly like the character in Braveheart who plays the Scottish king, father of the heir prince. He tells his son to back the uprising led by William Wallace while he opposes it through the nobles. Maintain popularity with both the King of England and the commoners. Unprincipled cowardice. Untrustworthy liars. Thats what Specter is along with all of the leadership in Washington including Obama.Even more sinister is that they actually try to present their character as noble. As an ability to compromise. Compromise what? Life? Death? History repeats itself. Only each generation becomes stupider than the next because they allow it to repeat. Believe the lie because it is harder to accept the truth.