Specter switches parties, breakthrough to 60 for Dems in sight

[Neil D]

Facing a difficult primary fight, moderate Republican Sen. Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania is switching to the Democratic Party.

If Al Franken wins the Minnesota seat, that gives Democrats a 60 vote filibuster-proof Senate majority and President Obama an LBJ-style shot at history.

Obama told Specter he was "thrilled" with the decision.

Specter was among the last of the vanishing moderate northeastern Republicans. He was key to passing Obama's $800 billion stimulus, one of three Republicans, with Maine's two other Republican moderates, Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins, to provide the necessary votes for passage. Specter said that vote produced a "schism" in the party that led to his decision.

Specter also irked Democrats this year by quashing the push by liberals this year for the Employee Free Choice Act that would make it much easier for workers to join unions. But with Franken putting Democrats so tantalizingly close to a stunning filibuster-proof majority, Democrats put a full-court press on Specter, promising to support him in his re-election bid and essentially allowing him to keep his seat. Few love the Senate more than Specter.

Party-switching is the surest bellwether of political trends; just like Democrats saw their moderates abandon their party during the GOP rise in the 1990s -- in search of power and committeee chairmanships -- Specter's switch shows what a professional politician sees as the future. At 79 and in his fifth term (elected in 1980), Specter survived a cancer battle. He is one of the Senate's saaviest pols, part of whatever Gang that swings key votes.

Barring some unforeseeable political disaster for Democrats, Republicans are looking at a long, long time in the wilderness. Pennsylvania is a keystone state in the electoral college, the site of pitched battles during last year's primary and general election.

Specter was the faithful party loyalist whose legacy as former chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee was seating two conservative Supreme Court justices nominated by former President George W. Bush, Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Samuel Alito.

He also led, with Bush, the fight to enact immigration reform, ultimately killed by House Republicans. His switch fives a tailwind to an easing of immigration limits, which despite its controversy, Obama plans to pursue because of the powerful demographic shifts underway in the country that make Latinos key to holding the White House.

Comments?

[phkrause]

I don't know how to react. The only thing that I can say is, its to bad that people have to change parties to stand up for what they believe. To me if you think the democrats have something you agree with, than you vote with them. And vice-a-versa. I know for me back in 2000, if I had voted, I would have voted for Bush, because I thought that he was better for the country than Gore. In 08, I would've voted for either McCain, Clinton or Obama had I voted, because I felt that they had something that I would like to see given a chance. Just my thoughts.

pk

[bonnie]

I don't know how to react. The only thing that I can say is, its to bad that people have to change parties to stand up for what they believe. To me if you think the democrats have something you agree with, than you vote with them. And vice-a-versa. I know for me back in 2000, if I had voted, I would have voted for Bush, because I thought that he was better for the country than Gore. In 08, I would've voted for either McCain, Clinton or Obama had I voted, because I felt that they had something that I would like to see given a chance. Just my thoughts.

pk

The best thing all the way around that he left the republican party. He was a liberal under a conservative banner

[olger]

Let him go. There must needs be a purging of liberals in conservative clothing.

og

[bonnie]

Let him go. There must needs be a purging of liberals in conservative clothing.

og

We have a two party system for a reason.

If they would stick to their value system or what it used to mean they would have a much stronger party.

The republicans have the numbers to make a difference if applied.

Even in liberal MN,the liberals cannot get radio shows and keep them. Nationally liberals cannot compete on tv.

Two more liberals need to leave the republican party

[olger]

John? :)

[Woody]

Yes. Good bye Arlen ... we don't need you. What we need is people who will stand up for conservative causes.

[Neil D]

Arlan Specter says that the Republicans have MOVED MORE in philosophy TOWARD the Right....He also says that he is MORE in line with the Democrates which means that the Democrates philosophy has moved more toward the middle.....The results are that the Republicans are so far to the right, that they are now considered as extreemists.....

So, those of you who are suporting the republican cause, are in actuality, extreemists.....Just extending the logic here

[Woody]

That sounds rather 'extreme' to me. Where did you get such wild ideas?

[Neil D]

That sounds rather 'extreme' to me. Where did you get such wild ideas?

Um.....you wanna put your anti-obama posts in a poll and see if those here consider them 'extreme'?

I am more than willing to set it up for you....

[Woody]

I am not 'anti-Obama'. I wish him well. But I will be honest when he makes mistakes like when he spooks New Yorkers with a low flying jet over the NY skies. How stupid. New Yorker had to evacuate Sky risers out of fear of Obama. Sorry for the off topic statement. But you did challenge me.

[Bravus]

Clearly the party is going to move even further to the right, if the attitude of those here - purge anyone who is not far to the right - is any indication.

And yet, on his 100th day, Obama has a 68% approval rating. Clearly there is a small and vocal (and shrinking) right wing minority in the country, but the majority, while worried about the economy, recognise that the country is doing better under the Democrats.

If the Republicans keep moving to the right, I confidently predict them losing still further seats at the midterms, and a significant Democrat victory in 2012. The Republicans are moving one way and the American people are moving another.

[bonnie]

Clearly the party is going to move even further to the right, if the attitude of those here - purge anyone who is not far to the right - is any indication.

And yet, on his 100th day, Obama has a 68% approval rating. Clearly there is a small and vocal (and shrinking) right wing minority in the country, but the majority, while worried about the economy, recognise that the country is doing better under the Democrats.

If the Republicans keep moving to the right, I confidently predict them losing still further seats at the midterms, and a significant Democrat victory in 2012. The Republicans are moving one way and the American people are moving another.

The desire to purge comes from those that know is record.

Why be a republican and be a democrat at heart. Why be a democrat and republican at heart.

What Specter has done is a complete reversal on what he said a month ago. As in how important it was to remain a republican and "I am not switching parties".

If the republican party has done any moving it has been to the left.

It would surprise many to find out how much better the country is getting or that the economy is improving.

I do expect the approval rating to go or stay as high as it is. The people that want government to hold their pacifier will want more and more. When one handout doesn't have the results promised they will be anxious for the next promise.

We have for a first thanks to Obama,the GM is ready to hand over a private company to the unions and the government. Now the unions will negotiate with the unions and with whoever Obama has put in place to run GM.

Ougt to scare the daylights out of any american that wants america to remain as was founded.

Banks seem poised to be next. Banks cannot pay back the loans. Obama refuses to let them and has said they would take shares rather than cash.

On this......

And yet, on his 100th day, Obama has a 68% approval rating.

Gallup and some other polls have him at the next to lowest rating of presidents in after 100 days

Those that want socialism will increase in number. The closer we get to the end the more will be looking for someone to fix.

[Dr. Shane]

As a moderate, I think both parties have moved further to their extremes. The Republicans have moved further to the right. Yet the Democrats have moved further to the left. The reason Specter switched parties is because he knows that since the party has moved further to the right, he doesn't stand a chance at winning in the Republican primary. However, he certainly is guaranteed to win in the Democrat primary either. He better do some serious Obama brown-nosing if he expects to win the Democratic nomination.

Now with a filibuster-proof Senate Obama will be without excuse for not getting things done. This could go either way for him. If things go well it could set him up for a landslide re-election victory. If things go bad it could pave the way for a Republican win in the mid-term elections. Obama is in full control now. Let's hope he knows what he is doing. Not a lot of room for rookie mistakes now.

[bonnie]

A little piece of information has been left out by Specter.

He just found out from his pollsters he could not win the republican primary in 2010.

Self preservation,he will now run as a democrat hoping that will win the election for him

[Neil D]

Honest truth, Spector has said that he is going to be more independant and is aiming at getting his ideas up more than following the democratic platform...

[Woody]

Quote:

Gallup and some other polls have him at the next to lowest rating of presidents in after 100 days

Yes. This is interesting. I expect it to go even lower as people catch on to what he is doing. Most people do not follow politics a lot. But as people find out about him ... I expect that the Republicans will make great gains in the coming elections.

[Dr. Shane]

on his 100th day, Obama has a 68% approval rating...

The Republicans are moving one way and the American people are moving another.

Rassmusen is reporting his approval rating at 56% and disapproval at 43%.

I think the country elected the Democrats and Obama because the do-nothing Republicans were not getting anything done. The financial crisis happening when it did also played a big role. McCain's number tanked when the crisis happened and he never recovered. I think it is a mistake for liberals to believe the majority of Americans have moved ideologically from the center to the left. The Democrats won by default. They have been given a blank check - so to speak. If they do good they will remain in power for years to come. If they prove themselves no better than the do-nothing Republicans, everything will be up for grabs.

[Woody]

Quote:

his approval rating at 56% and disapproval at 43%.

Wow. That is one of the lowest ratings after 100 days that I have heard of. This is suppose to be his honeymoon.

The next elections should prove to be interesting. Yes, things are up for grab.

[bonnie]

Quote:

his approval rating at 56% and disapproval at 43%.

Wow. That is one of the lowest ratings after 100 days that I have heard of. This is suppose to be his honeymoon.

The next elections should prove to be interesting. Yes, things are up for grab.

The fact remains this man and his campaign said this would never happen a month ago

Not even being considered. Then the day comes he finds out he cannot win the primary in 2010 against the republican challenging him.

Now will be interesting to see if Al Franken gets in.

We have eleven counties that have more votes than voters. Good work if can be done.

During the election there was a bumper sticker.

Vote for Al Franken,he is a crook but he is my crook

[Neil D]

NBC poll shows a 61% approval rating....And with Specter moving over to the Dems by Obama's 100 day, the dems are having a good back clapping day...Even Obama says that they are "thrilled" to have him on thier side....

....also, polls are showing that last Oct/Nov 25% of the country felt that we were going in the right direction...Now, those same polls are showing a 43% as going the right direction.

[carolaa]

The Republicans are moving one way and the American people are moving another.

Are you saying that Republicans are neither Americans nor people?

[Bravus]

I don't think I said the country as a whole was moving to the left, although I did say it was moving in the opposite direction to the Republicans. What I meant was that the Republicans are rushing further to the right, but on most of the social conservative wedge issues that they have been using, such as abortion, gay marriage and so on, younger people are closer to the Democrat position than older people, so over time the country is moving that way. I'm not making a value judgement about that - I think one of those moves makes sense and the other is very bad indeed - but rather a political judgement: the Republican party is moving in a direction that will lead it to struggle to win office.

[bonnie]

I don't think I said the country as a whole was moving to the left, although I did say it was moving in the opposite direction to the Republicans. What I meant was that the Republicans are rushing further to the right, but on most of the social conservative wedge issues that they have been using, such as abortion, gay marriage and so on, younger people are closer to the Democrat position than older people, so over time the country is moving that way. I'm not making a value judgement about that - I think one of those moves makes sense and the other is very bad indeed - but rather a political judgement: the Republican party is moving in a direction that will lead it to struggle to win office.

Think back to Reagan,he was a real conservative. Since Reagan the republicans have been moving to the left. Bush was not a conservative. I am glad he was president when we got hit at 9/11

but as far as fiscal responsibility,he didn't have it.

[Gerr]

What difference will it make?

Not ONE iota!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!