Source: CNN

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Veteran Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pennsylvania, switched from the Republican to the Democratic Party on Tuesday, Sen. Harry Reid said.

The Specter party switch would give Democrats a filibuster-proof Senate majority of 60 seats if Al Franken holds his current lead in the disputed Minnesota Senate race.

Specter, a five-term Senate veteran, was expected to face a very tough primary challenge in 2010 from former Rep. Pat Toomey, who nearly defeated Specter in the Pennsylvania GOP Senate primary in 2004.



Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/04/28/specter.party.switch/

---

First actual link to an article....WOW...!!!!

o_o

...Specter will kick butt.

So long as he does what his new Leader and Whip tell him to when the going gets rough, he'll get some help. He is now "The Democratic Incumbent."

In fact he said as much yesterday. He said the way he votes will not change. This is about his re-election.

Without getting grief from the GOP.

What this does is get rid of the arm-twisting from the RIGHT, and replace it with arm-twisting from the left. No matter what he says!

Biden didn't reach across the aisle and drag him back for no reason.

April 28, 2009 3:38 PM

Asserting that he had made a principled move not a political one, Sen. Arlen Specter (PA) told reporters today that his decision to become a Democrat stemmed from the realization that his "prospects for winning a Republican primary are bleak."

"I'm not prepared to have my 29 year record in the United States Senate decided by the Pennsylvania Republican primary electorate," Specter said ...

"I will not be an automatic sixtieth vote," he said, mentioning his opposition to the Employee Free Choice Act as one example. He said he will not be swayed on the proposal, which makes it easier for unions to organize.

"I think it is a bad bill, and I'm opposed to it and would not vote to invoke cloture," Specter added ...

http://hotlineoncall.nationaljournal.com/archives/2009/04/specter_prospec.php

Throw in Democrats and Independents and it's a whole other ballgame (IMO)

He will just be another right wing DLC type, and in the long run will hurt more than help. We were better off to get a real Dem into the seat, now that will be more difficult. He will convince Dems not paying attention he is the real deal, but he will just be a wolf in blue clothing.

I want Democrats in PA to choose the candidate -- Not the US Senate

post about seating Franken. It included the picture below and welll..... gave me pause..... :rofl:



It is fun to watch them wine!!!

who paid prositutes to put diapers on him.

Senator "Diaper Dave" (pass the baby powder) Vitter, R-LA.

I just thought that it was a pretty funny picture, considering that he is now a Senator, I was not trying to make a Vitter Comparison. This picture was in a discussion of Franken getting the last seat and how they can not better justify arguing what is right and wrong and instead just try to be obstructionists. Fun fact: Only 28% of people think that Franken should not be seated. I think that one more good thing about this latest decision is that it will further highlight the stalling being done to prevent Franken from being seated.

:)

From Alternet.com:

Ohio GOP floats fake Al Franken quote and doctored photo

http://www.alternet.org/blogs/peek/43521/ohio_gop_floats_fake_al_franken_quote_and_doctored_photo/

Wow, that is said on so many levels. I just assumed that since he is a comedian, that the picture was actually real. Maybe something out of a skit he had done.

After reading your post, it turns out that the sadder aspect is:

a) There is actually a Republican who does "who knows what" in a diaper.
b) They apparently somehow attack Franken, accusing him of something that their own guys actually did.
c) They totally screw up attacking him in the process and get bitch slapped by the Franken camp.

I could go on, but what is the point. :)

These folks are just sad. If they were not so dangerous, I would pity them.

Something about the light.

that are the big-assed whiny sore losers. We better get used to this crap. We're going to see a lot of it over the next decade!

ALL FIRED UP...READY TO GO!!!

To quote the great Howell Cossell, Down goes Republican!..Down goes Republican!....Down goes Republican!

and thumb down the goppy comments


http://buzz.yahoo.com/article/1:y_news:03205523f5b1ddf3b9ec943f745d0dea/Specter-says-hes-switching-from-GOP-to-Dems-AP

I'm feeling way outnumbered - Marcus

Better to meet them whenever and wherever than lurk in the background.

He was likely to lose the GOP primary, but should have it easy in the general election against a conservative.

When he came out against EFCA he turned labor against him. And liberals are not going to support a moderate like Specter if they can vote for a real democrat in the primary in 2010. Liberals and labor are the 2 biggest, best funded, most activist branches of the democratic party (at least I think), and Specter has alienated both.

On one hand, it's a slap in the face for the Republicans. On the other hand, Sen. Specter will be a cranky Democrat just as Sen. Joe LIEberman was. He will tilt everything a bit to the right.

:(

Repigs are losing moderates, and I like what that says about our chances during the midterms.

So much for Karl Rove's permanent Republican majority. Enjoy your tea, KR.

He's dependent on Reid to get a chairmanship. I'm sure all cards are currently on the table.

...EFCA to get labor behind him.

Part of the deal is the D party will not fund or support any Democratic challenger to Specter in the 2010 Senate primary. A challenger may emerge but he/she will be on their own financially and won't get any support from the party.

So libs can either support Specter or can elect an R.

I didn't realize they even did that. Doesn't seem right. The person in the party with the best ideas should win, not with the most connections.

moderate Casey?

I think Spector will do as well as Lieberman did in his general election.

As Republicans go, Specter isn't too bad, but we don't need any more Republicans in this party. There are too damn many of them in our ranks already.

put him on the ticket.

I'm sure there are a few life-long Dems who would like to get the nomination.

By Mike Lillis 4/28/09 2:56 PM

In language that may or not have been cleverly chosen, Sen. Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania, the newest member of the Democratic party, told reporters moments ago that he remains opposed to Dawn Johnsen, the Obama administration’s pick to head the Office of Legal Counsel.

Can we take that to mean that he won’t vote for Johnsen? Maybe. But he didn’t come out to say specifically that that’s the case — as he did when he very clearly voiced his intent to vote against the Employee Free Choice Act moments before ... http://washingtonindependent.com/40891/specter-im-opposed-to-dawn-johnsen

But not this :wow:

Pennsylvania has a closed primary system and because all the moderates have abandoned the GOP Specter is guaranteed to lose the 2010 primary on the GOP ticket to Toomey. Toomey is already beating Specter by 14-20 points in polls of republicans so he will lose the 2010 GOP primary.

This is just an attempt by him to stay in the senate and win the 2010 election by running in the democratic primary in 2010.

I wasn't thinking.

I just meant that this is a political calculation on Specter's part to win the 2010 election, not a sign that he has had a moral epiphany and decided he suddenly cares about human rights, healthcare, labor or poverty.

I appreciated your pointing it out :hi:

However he has constantly taken heat for a few stands on key social issues from the paleo-conservatives and the religious reich. As interested as I am about this development I am dubious of how effective it is watering down the Democratic issues with another conserva-dem. On the other hand Spector has occasionally voted to the left of the blue dogs so it might not be a total wash.

This might be a game changer because with the ability to fillibuster reduced (albeit a little bit) the rest of the repukes might be forced to actually vote on the merit of individual bills.

...but I would rather have him than Toomey.

and this way he helps the Pukes keep the seat!

This is the only way the Pukes could win PA in 2010.

If he does not have anyone run against him in the primary it becomes a pub against a pub in the general. Very crafty I must admit.

:rofl:

By: Robb Hays, WAFB.COM

... "I hope he doesn't change," Jindal added. "I hope he's the same person he was yesterday. It shouldn't matter what he calls himself." http://www.wafb.com/Global/story.asp?S=10265634

By David Weigel 4/28/09 12:28 PM

Americans for Tax Reform President Grover Norquist tells me that Sen. Arlen Specter’s party switch is not a total disaster because “the most important issue before Congress is EFCA, and his restatement of his commitment to oppose it is very important ... http://washingtonindependent.com/40754/grover-norquist-sees-silver-lining-in-specter-switch

I had my money on one of the Maine Sens. being the first to switch over--but instead we get Arlen. I'm glad for the tough position this puts the GOP in, but his decades of general uselessness still leave a sour tast in my mouth.

Oh well, I am enjoying the non-plussed reponse of those Club for Growth a-holes!

This last breaking news already has like 35 threads on DU.

I haven't had the teevee on, so I don't know what they're reporting. I came here first - well, after walking the dog!

It is actually sad that the "Grand Old Party" has become a place for rabid individuals full of hate and vengeance that they cannot see beyond their narrow interests.

Welcome aboard.

this may persuade one or both of the Maine Senators to switch as well? Or would that be a long shot?

The GOP is becoming more right-crazy and the Northeastern voters won't support crazy as much as we Southerners do.

I think you'll see one or both Maine Senators switch.

they can just threaten to change parties...

either or both could leave the pukes.

If Maine law is favorable to Independent runs, I would expect them to go the "I" route.

Actually, I am delighted with Specter. He'll probably be to the left of Ben Nelson, after all.

I wonder, though, if we will turn into more of a 3 party system: left, moderate and right parties. If more states go the Nebraska route and assign electoral votes by Congressional district, you might see something. It's just that I feel some sort of realignment going on. The pukes seem to by dieing, just like the Whigs did 150 years ago, and the Federalists before them.

and suggests the GOP may follow their example of self-ordained irrelevance to the end.

but then, today's Republicans came back from the Goldwater debacle in '64 to take the Presidency in '68 and '72 with Tricky Dick, '80 with Ronnie Raygun, '88 with George I and '00 and '04 with George II.

Nonetheless, I urge you to stock up on smelling salts. It could be a very interesting few years.

after being elected (at least not until the next election is coming up). But I will take this one.

April 28, 2009

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.

http://politicspa.com/Specter%20Switches.htm

...making this a satisfying and ironic double-FAIL for Limbaugh.

:rofl:

... on social issues, at least.

I lost respect for him when he started pandering to the conservatives ... but he's made me a happy Pennsylvanian today. Guess I'll be handing out campaign literature for him next year!!! Wow ... that'll be interesting!

...switching in 1966? I think he brought Ed Rendell in to Philly politics way back when.

They have always supported each other. I think this was a good move on Specter's part.

By Nikki Schwab
Posted April 28, 2009

So Arlen Specter is a Democrat now. But this isn't the first time the Pennsylvania politician has had a "D" next to his name. He started out his long political career as a Democrat but then switched parties in 1965 to run for district attorney of Philadelphia ... http://www.usnews.com/articles/news/washington-whispers/2009/04/28/arlen-specter-started-out-his-career-as-a-democrat.html

He's kinda like Lieberman I fear.

osted: Tuesday, April 28, 2009 4:27 PM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: Congress, Republicans

From NBC's Domenico Montanaro
Sen. Arlen Specter, who was elected in 1980, would outrank the most senior Democrat on four of his six current committee assignments: Veterans Affairs (Akaka), Environment and Public Works (Boxer), Special on Aging (Kohl) and an Appropriations subcommittee (Harkin).

But, per NBC Senate producer Ken Strickland, this whole issue won't be addressed until the next Congress -- unless any current chairs want to voluntarily step aside for Specter.

And it's not clear which ones, if any, he'd take over in the next Congress. It would all have to be sorted out. But he's clearly going to want something -- notably the powerful Appropriations Committee, per Strickland, but there's a long line of senior Democrats there. And it's competitive.

Specter, a veritable spring chicken at 79 on this committee, would only be the fourth-ranking senator on it. Hawaii's Daniel Inouye, 85 and elected in 1962, knocked off 91-year-old Robert Byrd at the start of this Congress -- despite Byrd's seniority (elected in 1958). Also ahead of Specter is Pat Leahy, elected in 1974. Leahy's also ahead of Specter, by the way, where he shines -- on Judiciary ... http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2009/04/28/1913180.aspx

And the Republicans can SUCK IT (filibuster all you want, you neocon asses. you are TOAST TOAST TOAST!)

Source: Human Events

HUMAN EVENTS has learned from staff sources that Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Pa) is about to announce his switch to the Democratic Party. Developing….

Adding from BigWorld Washington Post quotes:

"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."




Read more: http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=31639

---

This is HUGE, if it makes 60 and he votes with us. If Coleman gives in.

love politics

Fuck off Arlen

achieve his goals for the American People.

:thumbsup:

they don't qualirfy as reliable.

But I've been wrong before.

For one, running as a Republican these days is automatically an uphill battle.

elect a progressive in PA in 2010

something like part of it is Alabama and another part LA?

Think I have it wrong, but good luck on moving out of the rightward rut --

like the rest of the country and the world.

Philadelphia in the East, Pittsburgh in the West and Alabama in the middle.

everything west of Pgh is Mississippi.

:D Of course, that's only one version; there are many others.

CNN radio says his office confirms.

crazy

BREAKING NEWS: Republican U.S. Senator Arlen Specter in talks to switch parties, sources tell AP

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/

...I really thought at first it was just a rumor.

homes and on Capitol Hill.

So they were right-this time.

Better he stays a puke, loses his primary to Toomey, and is replaced by a real Democrat. Though that is never a sure thing (e.g., Casey).

He only did this because he knows he won't win next year's Republican primary. He is trying to keep his Senate seat, nothing more.

Maybe he can caucus with Lieberman. :shrug:

:rofl:

the Repubs! Wow. I had no idea he might actually do it.

Jeffords and Lieberman went Independent.

Was it Shelby?

Switched to repuke.

in 1995. As a Coloradan I remember this very well. The prick saw the writing on the wall (Colorado was becoming ridiculously conservative as our anti-gay amendment 2 showed) and jumped parties. And boy did he jump. By the end, he was a down-the-line republican voter.

I am glad Specter is doing this but his motives are obvious. Had he gotten through his primary in 2010 he still would have been elected as a republican. But he wasn't going to get through his primary. Toomey is about 15 points ahead among Republicans. So this move is likely just to protect his seat, which means his motives are not overly trustworthy. I would still hope a good dem may rise up to challenge him in a primary...beating Toomey shouldn't be overly difficult with a competent candidate.

Shelby publicly feuded with Bill Clinton during the first half of his first term. At a meeting with Vice President Al Gore, he turned to 19 Alabama TV cameras and denounced the Clinton program as "high on taxes, low on spending cuts". However, as Clinton's approval ratings began to decline, Shelby's popularity ratings became some of the highest in the state... He voted with Senate Republicans against the administration on almost every partisan issue... On November 9, 1994, Shelby switched his party affiliation to Republican one day after the Republicans won control of both houses in the midterm elections...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Shelby

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/04/28/senatorial-party-switchers/

Richard Shelby of Alabama
Democrat, 1987-1994; Republican, 1994-present
* Shelby left the Democratic party to join the Republicans on November 9, 1994, just after 1994 midterm elections that gave Republicans control of both chambers of Congress.

Ben Nighthorse Campbell of Colorado
Democrat, 1993-1995; Republican, 1995-2005
* Campbell left the Democratic party on March 3, 1995, to join the Republicans.

Bob Smith of New Hampshire
Republican1990-July 13, 1999; Independent, July 13, 1999 to November 1, 1999; Republican, November 1999 - 2003
* Smith left the Republican party on July 13, 1999, to become an independent. On November 1, 1999, he switched back to the Republican Party, noting that he had never officially switched parties because his voter registration in New Hampshire remained unchanged.

Jim Jeffords of Vermont
Republican, 1989-2001; Independent, 2001-2007
* Jeffords announced on May 24, 2001, that he would leave the Republican Party on June 6, 2001, to become an independent who would caucus with Democrats. His switch gave Democrats control of the Senate, though Republicans would reclaim the chamber after the 2002 midterm elections.

Joe Lieberman of Connecticut
Democrat, 1989-2006; Independent, 2006-present
* Lieberman lost his state's Democratic primary in August 2006, but won re-election in November as an independent, though he had not officially changed his voter registration. In the Senate, he continues to caucus with the Democrats.

How are the Repukes going to react? It'll either be silence or the opposite extreme. Either way, it should be fun to watch. :)

Arlen Spector saying that the Rep. party no longer defines his views (paraphrasing).

Of course, the fact that he was toast as a republican didn't have anything to do with his decision!:sarcasm:

calling him senile and traitor.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2239591/posts

it'd be far more difficult for him to switch.

Pennsylvania Sen. Arlen Specter will switch from the Republican to the Democratic Party, multiple sources tell CNN.

http://www.cnn.com/

The day after KKKarl talked about "Colonels in sunglasses" on Fox "News", Arlen used the same phrases on the Senate floor.

I will still welcome him though.

If the criminals who drove this nation in the dirt need any Senator in their pocket, it's one who sat on the Intelligence, Judiciary, and Veterans' Affairs Committees during their evil reign. That's Arlen.

So... where's the other shoe?

Arlen is no dummy, and he's privy to a hell of a lot of classified info. He's bailing, just in time before the shit hits the fan.

I take this as a harbinger of something big.

Popcorn, anyone? :popcorn:

And said it was just announced moments ago on the Hill.

grrr.

eh, who needs facts anyway :shrug:

from being a "rubber stamp." The Corps are cheering.

n/t

:popcorn:

spewing Republican talking points re: Torture:

"If there is evidence of criminality, then the Attorney General has the full authority and should prosecute it. But going after the prior administration sounds like something they do in Latin America in banana republics."

He comes over; votes for employee free choice; He gets a committee next session.

Still against it--but hopefully he'll reconsider!

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

Those of us from Philly know that Specter USED TO BE a Democrat back in his younger political days and switched parties when he ran for D.A. here in the mid-'60s.

Simple math!!

:bounce:

The power has shifted and Specter wants to move with it --

Specter has conscience suddenly?? Not likely looking at "Magic Bullet"/JFK witnesses and

Prof. Anita Hill treatment.

that showed that anyone from BushCo should be prosecuted for torture. In other words, he doesn't believe any crimes were committed.

his role in the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.

His covering up of the coup de tat will not play well in the democratic primary in Pennsylvania.

You didn't intend for it to be, but that's the funniest thing I've read here today. A cousin of "tit for tat" perhaps?

Not!

If you want to play the woo-woo conspiracy theory game, or coddle people in the tinfoil hat club, you be my guest. That kind of crap is absurd, and the malaprop to announce a dire impossibility was hysterical to anyone who hasn't had an ironyectomy.

evidently, a lot of people don't know this history ---- and the movie woke up PA!

Specter was one of the helpmates who delivered this fascist right wing to America --

and part of helping the most murderous and vile of them.

I've also been astonished that evidently so little is known of Watergate

with the new Nixon/Frost movie evidently new propaganda that it was a big "nothing" -- !!!!

He's been looking quite frail. I had him figured for retirement.

broke the news that he's switched parties. WOW! Hurry up MN, figure out how to bury Coleman and get Franken seated. Too Bad so Sad for the Repubs.

I heard he's way behind and it's up in the air if he can regain the majority of conservatives support in PA.

Source: CNN

Pennsylvania Sen. Arlen Specter will switch from the Republican to the Democratic Party, multiple sources tell CNN.

No complete story yet, just a headline at CNN.

Read more: http://www.cnn.com/

---

:wtf:

Gawd it must suck to be them. In 2010 we'll probably have 70+ Senators. :)

Goodbye repukes!

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

Pennsylvania Sen. Arlen Specter will switch his party affiliation from Republican to Democrat and announced today that he will run in 2010 as a Democrat, according to a statement he released this morning.

Specter's decision would give Democrats a 60 seat filibuster proof majority in the Senate assuming Democrat Al Franken is eventually sworn in as the next Senator from Minnesota. (Former Sen. Norm Coleman is appealing Franken's victory in the state Supreme Court.)

"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."

Specter as a Democrat would also fundamentally alter the 2010 calculus in Pennsylvania as he was expected to face a difficult primary challenge next year from former Rep. Pat Toomey. The only announced Democrat in the race is former National Constitution Center head Joe Torsella although several other candidates are looking at the race.

Hope he caucuses and votes with the Dems. This could be a significant change in the equation.

MSNBC doesn't have a story yet either, but says that Specter is in talks to switch. I hope that it all pans out and Specter comes over to the light side, if for no other reason than to see the craniums of Bill-O, the Mannity, and Harold Hill - excuse me, I meant Glenn Beck - explode.

I mean hugh!

This comes right out of left field.

:P

laughing my ass off here - up yours you stupid party of obstructionists!

n/t

They had their boys in the White House for 8 years, and I'm not exactly seeing Growth....

Said the Club for Growth just cares about getting their rightwing extremists elected in the Primaries, with little or no regard for electability in the General. Specter cited specific cases in 2004 & 2006 where the Club for Growth succeeded in edging out centrist GOP Senate candidates in the Primaries, only to lose in the General to Democrats. He talked quite a bit about that in the presser.

If people didn't realize Republicans are a party of extremists after 8 years of Bush/Cheney with their Bush league lapdog GOP Congress in place most of that time, there should be no doubt after Specter's scathing retort on the subject today.

in the GOP primary. This is probably a very smart move, tactically.

Now, will he be challenged by a viable Dem in THAT primary? I don't know, and it remains to be seen. Wonder if that was part of any dealmaking to get him to switch?

So now it's up to Specter to prove to voters that he's worthy of his new party's nomination. If he votes in favor of cloture and comes through on the votes that matter most, he should be given the opportunity to serve another term.

that I originally thought.

Receiving all my breaking news emails.

A "Club for Growth" hard core wingnut is challenging him for the nomination, and his "moderate" (by Republican standards) stands are not popular with the likely primary voters.

The Republicans are insane (I know - a tautology) and would rather run someone with the "correct" right wing views that will lose instead of someone like Specter who will win.

If the PA Dems do go with Specter, they have an assured win on their hands. They really don't have anyone ready to run against him with the same degree of statewide name recognition, so they cut off their nose to spite their face if they don't accept him into the party, and choose to run a relative unknown against him. Running against Club for Growth Toomey would be a toss-up.

And it's also pretty cool he's joining the Dems, too!

He's acted against the best interests of our nation quite enough without having him screw up our party.

His defense, and voting for, Thomas for SC is the first thing I think of when I see him. I've never been able to forget. I think he was trying to get back into the good graces for what he did to Bork. Now he's trying to get back into the good graces of the Democratic party. Sorta a reverse Lieberman. I guess this is what Obama means by trying to reach across the aisle. But man, couldn't it have been Snowe or something?

Not ever, really.

Please, someone, tell me it's a bad dream.

fearfully,
Bright

and just in time for some serious shit to hit the fan

:silly:

hey I had a brain numbing night...

But I can definitely see Franken singing to Minnesota right now:

R-E-S-P-E-C-T
Find out what it means to me
R-E-S-P-E-C-T
Take care, TCB

Oh (sock it to me, sock it to me,sock it to me, sock it to me)
A little respect (sock it to me, sock it to me,sock it to me, sock it to me)
Whoa, babe (just a little bit)
A little respect (just a little bit)
I get tired (just a little bit)
Keep on tryin' (just a little bit)
You're runnin' out of foolin' (just a little bit)
And I ain't lyin' (just a little bit)
(re, re, re, re) 'spect
When you come home (re, re, re ,re)
Or you might walk in (respect, just a little bit)
And find out I'm gone (just a little bit)
I got to have (just a little bit)
A little respect (just a little bit)

Now that the 60-seat barrier has been crossed (assuming Coleman gets a fucking clue at some point), it makes things easier.

But oh boy, will the RNC go after Franken now!

Can't wait till Franken makes it to the Senate. It will be like a crowning - the Senator to officially give Dems the filibuster-proof majority!!! Love it! :)

and the CDC slashed out of Obama's stimulus bill?

Thanks, but no thanks. She's no Democrat.

But without the support of Specter, Collins, and Snowe, there would have been no stimulus. I'm not happy with the final version of the stimulus, but I'm happy that some version did get passed.

Many Democratic senators have questionable voting records/positions/legislation etc. Would be easy to say they are "no democrats" too.

When it comes to Congress, very, very few represent truly progressive ideals. So you have to end up making deals with the devil to at least point in the direction of progressive thought and reality. The alternative is disastrous.

According to KO

She wants it in the regular budget.

Someone should offer a supplemental to the budget if this N1H1-North America-Mexico-Swine Flu really gets going.

If she were to vote for something like that, I'd forgive her.

...that would be wonderful! :bounce:

the more I think of it, the more I don't think Collins and/or Snowe will switch. Since they don't have election issues to worry about - neither is up before 2012, and they are very popular senators in their states.

They might as well be courted by both sides, and be truly independent.

Sigh, I guess droopy dog is going to be hanging around for a while :(

Source: Washington Post

Specter To Switch Parties
Pennsylvania Sen. Arlen Specter will switch his party affiliation from Republican to Democrat and announced today that he will run in 2010 as a Democrat, according to a statement he released this morning.

Specter's decision would give Democrats a 60 seat filibuster proof majority in the Senate assuming Democrat Al Franken is eventually sworn in as the next Senator from Minnesota. (Former Sen. Norm Coleman is appealing Franken's victory in the state Supreme Court.)

"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."



Read more: http://voices.washingtonpost.com/thefix/senate/specter-to-switch-parties.html?hpid=topnews

Please, tell me that.

PLEASE...

pleasepleasePLEASE, I'm begging!

omigod...

The thought sends chills down my spine.

disbelievingly,
Bright

the dup was with NewEngland4Obama.

How many times has Specter acted against the best interests of our nation?