Arlen Specter Defects To The Democrats
By Wyatt Earp | April 29, 2009
And this is shocking news why?
WASHINGTON — Veteran Pennsylvania Sen. Arlen Specter switched from the Republican to the Democratic Party on Tuesday, saying he has found himself increasingly “at odds with the Republican philosophy.”
Of course he was at odds with them. Specter had been a RINO (Republican In Name Only) for over 20 years!
“This is a painful decision. I know I’m disappointing many of my colleagues,” he said at a news conference announcing the move. “The disappointment runs in both directions.
“I’m putting principle at the top of the list,” he added.
Come on, Senator, you know that is completely untrue. This decision shows that you are putting personal interests at the top of the list. I would have a lot more respect for you if you were just honest about your motives.
The switch puts Senate Democrats one vote shy of a filibuster-proof majority of 60 seats. They can reach the 60-seat mark if Al Franken holds his current lead in the disputed Minnesota Senate race.
Franken will snatch that seat. Count on it. And when the Democrats reach their magic number, they will have no one to blame but themselves if things get royally frakked. Not Bush, not Cheney, not the eeevvviiilll Republicans!
“As the Republican Party has moved farther and farther to the right, I have found myself increasingly at odds with the Republican philosophy and more in line with the philosophy of the Democratic Party,” Specter said.
He voted with Democrats on many major issues, and has usually put his own interests ahead of those of his electorate and the Party. Think that’s sour grapes? Read the next paragraph.
“In the course of the last several months … I have traveled the state and surveyed the sentiments of the Republican Party in Pennsylvania and public opinion polls, observed other public opinion polls and have found that the prospects for winning a Republican primary are bleak.” (H/T – CNN)
And there it is.
A lot of Republicans are mad about this, and I don’t begrudge them that. But as a lifelong resident of Pennsylvania, I have to admit that his decision doesn’t bother me at all. His stated reasons for the switch are pure crap, but other than that, Specter is just being a typical politician: More concerned with holding on to his seat than serving the people who voted him there.
Topics: Politics | 9 Comments »
April 29th, 2009 at 4:26 pm
I’d thought his reason was bogus. I just knew that he was making the switch because he realize he could not win any more as a Republicans. I know what i’m doing in ’10, and it certainly doesn’t include voting for this jerk.
April 29th, 2009 at 5:47 pm
I am glad to get rid of the loser. He is right where he needs to be.
April 29th, 2009 at 8:14 pm
Specter was a Republican? Well, I’ll be damned. Who knew?
April 29th, 2009 at 8:21 pm
This story serves all the more as motivation for you guys in the state of Pennsylvania to support Pat Toomey in his bid for Sen. Specter’s seat next year.
Of course I live in the state of Indiana, so you guys can also completely disregard my recommendation.
April 29th, 2009 at 8:54 pm
Coming from your other post wyatt on the best bikini babes to here and looking at ole Arlans picture, after I projectile vomited, I wondered did someone already punch that guy in the nose? I mean look at that schnoze!! Its so big it must have its own weather system. It also goes quite well with those beady little eyes. He and Murtha will make great butt buddies.
April 29th, 2009 at 8:59 pm
A little off subject here and I apologize…When obambi was asked about torture in his news conference he blahed blahed abit and then ended with …by not torturing we will be a beacon to the world…the commentators i was listening to over him doing a MSFT 3000 analysis said…’Yup we’ll be a beacon alright, we’ll be on fire”
April 30th, 2009 at 5:12 am
Specter is a walking argument for term limits. The guy is 79 years old and can barely walk by himself. What a slimy scum bucket.
Every one should vote for the challenger.
April 30th, 2009 at 5:37 am
My take on the switch? SwINO (Switch In Name Only). Bonus at the link – Desi singing Babalu video.
May 2nd, 2009 at 2:51 pm
Leoni2 – I won’t vote for him, either. Although it would be great if he lost the Dem primary.
Admiral – No, where he needs to be is home, enjoying retirement.
RAPH – I know! Coulda knocked me over with a feather.
Morgan – I like Toomey. I voted for him last time.
Jon – Well, the guy is almost 80. I just want to be around that long, never mind what I look like.
Jack – I don’t understand why there are no term limits for Congress and the Senate. It is simply infuriating.
Jim – That. Is. Awesome!