Faced with dim prospects for reelection in Pennsylvania, Sen. Arlen Specter has announced that he will switch parties. The question is how democrats in Pennsylvania will feel about Specter who supported Bush on critical issues. After eight years under George W. Bush, Specter has come to the conclusion that he is really a Democrat and does not share the same GOP values as his former party.
Specter issued a statement that “I now find my political philosophy more in line with Democrats than Republicans.” Specter came to this epiphany not during the torture debate or the unlawful surveillance debate (which he publicly criticized the Administration but ultimately voted to back up the president), but rather when Republicans are failing like leaves and Democrats are preparing for a highly likely victory. By resigning now, Specter hopes to start to vote in line with his state to erase the memories of the last six years in his votes on Supreme Court nominees, immunity and other issues. Spector has often played Hamlet on such issues publicly, but largely worked with the Administration in securing votes on most of these issues. Indeed, his Chairmanship (before the fall of the GOP in the Senate) was based on his assured loyalty to the Bush agenda.
What is interesting is that in the statement below, Specter focuses on the unpopularity of the stimulus vote to Republicans and says that he regrets that so many in the GOP do not want him for their candidate. It falls a bit flat as a statement of principle and value differences.
The Senate Democrats have welcomed Specter into the fold and are expected to give him some seniority benefits for his defection.
Specter, 79 is in his fifth term and his new strategy will test how short the memory of Pennsylvania voters is. , is one of a handful of Republican moderates remaining in Congress in a party now dominated by conservatives. Several officials said the White House as well as leaders in both parties had been involved in discussions leading to his move.
If Franken wins in Minnesota, it will give Democrats total control and filibuster proof in the Senate.
Here is his full statement this afternoon:
Statement by Sen. 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 reelection in 2010 in the Democratic primary.
I am ready, willing and anxious to take on all comers and have my candidacy for reelection 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 reelection 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.
For the full story, click here and here.
Hi, Patty. I knew you’d find it.
AnonY:
What species of bird was that you found, a chimney swift?
Patty C.
Please do find the quote.Not that I really care and NOT that I wish you would stop posting. What I wish as well as a lot of other people that you would refrain from personal attacks, whether it be the length of time that they have been on this site or if they say something disagreeable to you or about you or anything else. Just ignore it, please.
People do not need this type of stuff. We all have enough of a rough time living our real lives. This site is a welcome antidote for me. I hope a lot of people feel this way. You know what I mean?
LAST SATURDAY YOU SAID THAT YOU WOULD NOT POST ON HERE ANYMORE.
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I never said I would stop posting here.
My statement was regard to being ‘DONE’ after my one statement with regard to seamus and Jill’s incitement therof. I can find the quote if you like.
I know exactly what i said.
RCampbell,
Thank you! I’m glad to see I’m not the only one thinking about these things. Wow, I didn’t know Specter had been a dem. I feel better knowing Biden was involved. For some reason, I trust him more than I know I should.
Hey AnonY let’s old guys get back on topic.
I have searched for C. Thomas stating (paraphrasing) that no one but his god could judge him, but I could not find that.
Does anyone else remember his statement?
Anon,
I bet he’ll get some fist bumps and friendly rump swats in the locker rooms, too. I’d just feel a lot better if someone would come right out and say that Patrick Leahy will remain the chair of the judiciary committee.
Talk had been that Specter and Collins crossed party lines to sneak in changes to the stimulus package legislation that were adverse to the general public but great for the CEOs. I want to trust him, but I have a hard time trusting anybody who went along with the Bush/Cheney line of thinking for 8 years without a change of heart during that time.
I bet there were some Trojans who really wished they had taken just a little peek into that horse’s mouth. I want to be grateful for this gift, but part of me is feeling it’s too good to be true.
One thing about the trolls Parry, they don’t take it personal. They are designed to upset the status quo. They are just following orders.
What can you say about how you do things?
MY GOD THIS IS NOT A SITE WHERE ANYONE HAS ANYMORE RIGHTS THAN THE OTHER. ARE WE PLAYING NICELY? TAKE OFFENSE AT THIS! TAKE OFFENSE AGAINST THAT!
WHERE DOES THE SOAP OPERA BEGIN AND WHERE DOES IT STOP?
PATTY TO HAVE SO MUCH ED-U-MA-SHUN YOU ARE THE BIGGEST BABY THAT HAS EVER BEEN BORN. ANY SCHOOLING THAT YOU HAVE HAS BEEN LOST.
LAST SATURDAY YOU SAID THAT YOU WOULD NOT POST ON HERE ANYMORE. WHY BECAUSE YOU WERE TOLD THAT YOU DO NOT PLAY NICE. I THINK YOU SHOULD POST. WHY, BECAUSE I WANT TO LEARN WHAT I DON’T KNOW.
YOU WANT TO DENIGRATE ANYTHING AND ANYONE THAT DOES NOT PAY HOMAGE TO PATTI.
GET A LIFE AND GET OVER IT……..
Gee, PattY C, don’t you miss anything?!
Mike Appleton 1, April 28, 2009 at 2:04 pm
AY, please don’t get Patti started on this thread.
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Thanks for your support, Mike A.!
~Patty
with a ‘y’
QofS:
I had to look this up at wiki because I could not remember Thomas’ words, but when he made these statements, and one other I will try to find, is when it occurred to me that he was lying. He was trying hard to deflect the facts against him and I bet this is one of the biggest *Red Herrings* in judicial history:
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{Quote: Thomas denied the allegations, stating:
“ This is not an opportunity to talk about difficult matters privately or in a closed environment. This is a circus. It’s a national disgrace. And from my standpoint, as a black American, it is a high-tech lynching for uppity blacks who in any way deign to think for themselves, to do for themselves, to have different ideas, and it is a message that unless you kowtow to an old order, this is what will happen to you. You will be lynched, destroyed, caricatured by a committee of the U.S. Senate rather than hung from a tree.[39] End Quote}
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LindyLou
1, April 28, 2009 at 4:02 pm
How will this affect the senate committees he’s on. Isn’t he the ranking member of the senate judiciary committee?
I heard native Philadelphian, Chris Matthews discussing this with Andrea Mitchell who was a reporter in Philadelphia as far back as the 60’s. In fact Ms Mitchell said, in response to Matthews’ comment that she’s known Specter for a long time, “I’ve known Arlen Specter so long I remember when he used to be a DEMOCRAT in the mid-60’s. Specter switched parties then to be elected District Attorney.
They made the following statements about the deal:
The deal was arranged and managed by PA Gov. Ed Rendell, who according to Matthews literally runs PA Dem. politics, and Joe Biden.
The Democrats’ primary field will be cleared of any and all challengers.
The President will endorse his candidacy during the primary.
Sghould he win, he would keep his senority as if he’d been a Dem since his first Senate election in 1980. Andrea Mitchell claimed that Specter wants the Appropriations Committee Chairmanship and that appears likely.
He’ll probably be given some latitude for renegade votes on
certain issues, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Harry Reid was given the business end of a chain tied to Specter’s voting finger that Reid can give a yank whenever there’s a high priority, President-Obama-agenda item on the docket.
FFLEO, I agree with you. I found Anita Hill’s testimony extremely credible and gutsy.
I also forgot about the A. Hill testimony. She displayed abundant courage, I think that C. Thomas was lying, and he got the ‘job’ because he is a black male.
Sen. Specter has made many wrong decisions that have cost lives, but he is no worse than most in Congress. I think that his cancer made him a more reflective human and no doubt, he has some deep-seated regrets.
He might want to live-out his life as a Democrat to perhaps establish the legacy for which he prefers to be remembered, so why not give the man a fair chance.
Consider his actions a resounding confession and refutation of all of the wrongs he has wrought, at times, as an ideologically extreme Republican, a political philosophy that has been thoroughly discredited and disgraced.
Mike, truthfully, I had forgotten about the Anita Hill testimony. Maybe Sen. Specter was finally overcome with guilt and has finally seen the light.
If a dude posts here called Former Republican we can suspect it is him huh Former Dem?
Former Federal LEO 1, April 28, 2009 at 4:14 pm
AnonY:
Yes, that was a compliment. I have struggles enough with a full-sized USB external keyboard attached to my laptop/notebook.
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I will read most if not all of these messages on my phone. It makes it so much easier. That way I can sift through some of the BS and watch mother nature.
This morning a little ole chick finally hatched in the chimney and dropped down to the pit. I picked it up with a towel and took it outside. I placed it on the chase lounge and once it got orientated it flew up. Waiting for it was its mother and they flew in unison to a Pecan tree. It was a beautiful experience.
It is kind of amazing what excites you once you get a little older.
I am not excited by Specter’s switch to the Dem party, and I think his giving the Dem’s a filibuster-proof majority on most important issues is a pipe dream. I just hope the Dem’s didn’t promise him that they wouldn’t support a Dem primary challenger in next fall’s election. The Senate’s being such a clubby bunch, though, they probably did.
He will fit in well with the other Blue Dogs, but it would be foolish to count on him for a progressive vote. I leave it to PA’s union membership to change his mind about EFCA.
I don’t trust him; I don’t think he’s a great legal mind, and he has the unfortunate habit of orating sensibly on one side of an issue and then voting on the other. And I will never forgive him for his conduct in the Clarence Thomas confirmation hearings. He lied and slandered Anita Hill, and then, against all better judgment, voted to confirm that cretin.
AnonY:
Yes, that was a compliment. I have struggles enough with a full-sized USB external keyboard attached to my laptop/notebook.
When my son was young he would get impatient with me on the computer and would say, Oh Dad! just let me that instead of waiting on you to do it wrong!