Longtime GOP Sen. Arlen Specter becomes Democrat

A Proud Liberal · **Posted:** Tue Apr 28, 2009 4:31 pm

Quote:

"I know I'm disappointing many of my colleagues," he said at a news conference. "The disappointment runs in both directions.

"I'm putting principle at the top of the list," he added.

When asked how and when he made the decision, Specter said, "the decision has been reached as I have traveled the state [Pennsylvania] in the last several months. Specifically, I got my home poll results last Friday ... and consulted with my campaign managers and had a long discussion. ... I came to a decision over this past weekend." . . . .

So the author of the "magic bullet theory" and the saving vote for Bill Clinton makes it official. Wonder if Rick Santorum will challenge in 2010? Does this officially make the Senate a one party system?

Catherine · **Posted:** Tue Apr 28, 2009 5:38 pm

I AM SIMPLY AMAZED. :shock:

I wouldn't have believed this could be possible a year ago.

And of course, there are the somber predictions being made by Mitch McConnell....

Quote:

Not long after Specter met privately with Republican senators to explain his decision, the party's leader, Sen. Mitch McConnell, said the switch posed a "threat to the country." The issue, he said, "really relates to ... whether or not in the United States of America our people want the majority party to have whatever it wants, without restraint, without a check or balance."

Of course, Specter is really just switching back to what he was in 1965...a Democrat.

LINK

A Proud Liberal · **Posted:** Tue Apr 28, 2009 5:50 pm

Catherine wrote:

Quote:

Not long after Specter met privately with Republican senators to explain his decision, the party's leader, Sen. Mitch McConnell, said the switch posed a "threat to the country." The issue, he said, "really relates to ... whether or not in the United States of America our people want the majority party to have whatever it wants, without restraint, without a check or balance."

This didn't seem to be a problem when that majority was held by the Repugs, did it? Congress did nothing to restrain the War Chimp for six years and very little after the shift in 2006. Hypocritical asses one and all.

Catherine · **Posted:** Tue Apr 28, 2009 10:46 pm

Quote:

whether or not in the United States of America our people want the majority party to have whatever it wants, without restraint, without a check or balance."

McConnell sure has a short memory....

"If this were a dictatorship, it'd be a heck of a lot easier, just as long as I'm the dictator."
George W. Bush, December 18, 2000
(during his first trip to Washington
as President-Elect)

lefty · **Posted:** Wed Apr 29, 2009 8:52 am

Isn't it funny how this is a threat to our country, but when ole Lieberman switched parties the republicans didn't speak out against him...

Catherine · **Posted:** Wed Apr 29, 2009 9:58 am

I doubt that Specter will be a "loyal Democrat." He's loyal to himself, as most politicians are, although I have to give him credit for not wanting to be a Repub any longer.

Consider this report from Think Progress:

Specter Promises Obama To ‘Support Your Agenda,’ Hours Later Restates Opposition To OLC Pick

lefty · **Posted:** Wed Apr 29, 2009 11:45 am

I don't expect him to be anything either, I just find the hypocrisy very annoying, but very typical as well.

anniefey · **Joined:** Fri Apr 06, 2007 11:23 am **Posts:** 452

lefty wrote:

Isn't it funny how this is a threat to our country, but when ole Lieberman switched parties the republicans didn't speak out against him...

Lieberman left the party but he didn't switch to Republican.

I'm surprised the few moderates that remain in the GOP haven't learned anything from their party's beloved icon, Ronald Reagan, who said he had not left the Democratic Party, but that the Democratic Party had left him.

The minority moderates need to acknowledge that the Republican Party has left them. It's the Party Of Lincoln in name only.

Longtime GOP Sen. Arlen Specter becomes Democrat

Who is online