More Blues for the GOP: Sen. Arlen Specter leaves party, becomes a Democrat

[Beckwin]

Ben Smith's Blog: Specter switching parties - POLITICO.com

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.

I don't think it'll change too awful much in how things will actually pan out in the Senate in the near future, but it's rather striking as a symbol. The Dems now have a supermajority, and the reasons for Specter's switch affirm sentiments that the GOP has simply gone too far right (authoritarian right, if you really must, to pre-empt lolbertarians and "real" conservatives/republicans) and too far out of touch with what Americans want.

Another nail in the coffin of the GOP? I can only hope.

[Penthesilea]

I am generally a "democrat" but I've always voted for Specter because of what he does. "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." is what always got my vote for him.

[Dimmauk]

Ho boy, Rush is on fire today. LOL the QQing is delicious.

[Palin]

He didn't really have a choice, he had to do something. There was no way in hell he was going to be reelected in the Republican primary, but he's the GOP's best shot in the general. Whoever the GOP put against him would be highly conservative, but lose the general because of it. He was in quite a pickle.

[Olo401]

HO

LEE

SHIT

.

[ZarakiKujata]

Democrats have 60 seats now once the Franken/Coleman shit is settled.

inc Supreme Court case about it.... holy shit

[Deftscythe]

Fareed Zakaria on his GPS program this sunday described our two party system as currently being a one-and-a-half party system. This is more evidence of his point, but as far astray as the GOP has gone, is this good for America?

Personally, I think there are a lot of Americans who are poorly represented by either party at the moment. Fiscal conservatism is always popular in this country, and I don't see anyone standing up for that anymore.

[Mizango]

Ho boy, Rush is on fire today. LOL the QQing is delicious.

I bet lol. I don't dare give that bloated waste of air my ratings, he will just stay around longer.


lolrepubs. Beckwin you just made my day <3

[Tristam]

I liked Specter alot before this, he's always been a big supporter of the NIH. This makes me very happy.

[Maxxthepenguin]

Beautiful, just beautiful


I'm sure you republicans out there are so glad to be rid of this RINO

[zoobernut]

Fareed Zakaria on his GPS program this sunday described our two party system as currently being a one-and-a-half party system. This is more evidence of his point, but as far astray as the GOP has gone, is this good for America?

Personally, I think there are a lot of Americans who are poorly represented by either party at the moment. Fiscal conservatism is always popular in this country, and I don't see anyone standing up for that anymore.

I just had to say that this I feel is becoming more and more true. I know personally I am socially liberal or at least socially "leave me the fuck alone and stop making laws". However fiscally and spending wise I am conservative. I believe that our government has a tendency to be way over bloated and spend too much money too easily. It is near impossible to find representation in government that follows these philosophies.

[thestalkmore]

Being a staunch independent, the absolute destruction and dissolution of the Republican party does not thrill me. I'll never reconcile my fiscal conservatism with my socially liberal leanings.

[BarthelloSylph]

I second the above post. I'm liberal for almost every social issue but fiscally conservative, and there's no party that comes close to offering that.

And it's true that Specter only did this to have a chance at getting reelected. I don't really think it changes anything because he always did what he wanted. Nothing will get filibustered now that wouldn't have been otherwise, and vice versa.

EDIT: by above post i meant two above, but now having read thestalkmore's, i also support his post.

[Correction]

Being a staunch independent, the absolute destruction and dissolution of the Republican party does not thrill me. I'll never reconcile my fiscal conservatism with my socially liberal leanings.

Unfortunately the pull towards Bible Belt style social conservatism is finding zero resistance from within the Republican Party. Perhaps it is time for the GOP to die if it can't return to its proper roots rather than hanging out with that cheap floozy Baptist Christianity.

[Deftscythe]

I think there are a lot of people who feel the same as the three above me. I'm really hoping the GOP comes out of this crisis of direction and leadership with a sincere return to fiscal conservatism(not just tightening purse strings on democratic projects while spending billions on their own) and embraces more libertarian views on social and cultural issues. Aren't those the traditional Republican stances in the first place?

[Bingbong]

Unfortunately the pull towards Bible Belt style social conservatism is finding zero resistance from within the Republican Party. Perhaps it is time for the GOP to die if it can't return to its proper roots rather than hanging out with that cheap floozy Baptist Christianity.

This is crap, the movement on the right side is one away from the bible junk, and moving towards a more libertarian view point. Fiscal conservation, less government etc etc. It's the loudmouths blabbing on about the abortion issue and gay marriage that need to take a leap.

As far as Specter, it's basically him bawwwing because the GOP didn't continue to kiss his ass after he played in the middle, and were probably going to endorse the other Republican, Pat Toomey, running against him during the midterm elections. He's just pulling a Leiberman a little earlier than ole Joe did.

A recent USA today poll had Toomey up by about 20% (51-30) among likely Republican voters, with Specter pulling an awesome 55% DISapproval rating. So since his own party was basically telling him to screw, he switched sides.

To sum up... take him, the right doesn't want him anyways.

[Correction]

This is crap, the movement on the right side is one away from the bible junk, and moving towards a more libertarian view point. Fiscal conservation, less government etc etc. It's the loudmouths blabbing on about the abortion issue and gay marriage that need to take a leap.

The same 'loudmouths' represented half of the last presidential ticket. It also pulls in seductive amounts of money and honestly I wonder where you find these Republicans speaking out against the forces within the party? And in great enough numbers to actually reverse the flow?

[Olo401]

^ Actually McCain is just as anti-gay and anti-choice as Palin.. He just doesn't show it so boldly.

[archibaldcrane]

I'm socially Libertarian and fiscally liberal in general, and I don't feel represented particularly well either. Democrats are all for personal freedom except for when it comes to drugs and guns, which is annoying, and it seems like everyone and their mother is all about funding the war machine, which is exceptionally annoying.

Summary: QQ

[Dimmauk]

I bet lol. I don't dare give that bloated waste of air my ratings, he will just stay around longer.


lolrepubs. Beckwin you just made my day <3

Rush is mostly talking about the New York airplane drama.