BREAKING NEWS: Arlen Specter switching parties to give Democrats 60 votes in Senate

[DavidS]

The Fix - Specter To Switch Parties

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."


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."

 

[DiamondDave]

He's been far from a conservative in his positions, votes, etc anyway...

This will just make it sweeter when he gets voted out by even more disgruntled constituents

 

[Iriemon]

Wow, that is big news.

Now all the Republicans have to do is persuade the Senators from Maine and the other state they excortiated for voting in favor of the stimulus bill, and the Republicans will make themselves trully impotent to do anything more that whine and criticize Obama's every breath.

 

[Bfgrn]

Arlen Specter is switching BACK to being a Democrat...

Guess that shoots the "Single Party Theory"

 

[Truthmatters]

How many others will follow?

 

[Indiana Oracle]

Fits. Would imagine the Reps will be glad to see him go. Still not sure he will keep his seat.

 

[CrimsonWhite]

How many others will follow?

None. He has been a RINO for awhile now. This is merely him changing parties on paper.

 

[WillowTree]

wasn't he the one who was wined and dined and wooed at the superbowl wh tea party?

 

[WillowTree]

Wow, that is big news.

Now all the Republicans have to do is persuade the Senators from Maine and the other state they excortiated for voting in favor of the stimulus bill, and the Republicans will make themselves trully impotent to do anything more that whine and criticize Obama's every breath.

like we're really really impressed with your hypocricy,, like you did it for eight fucking years when President Bush was in office.. now it's our turn. DUmmie

 

[WorldAHope]

Vel-l-l-l-y Interesting.
He'd defeat Toomey, his very far right assumed to win the Republican primary opponent
in a general election. Handily. Specter has a lot of respect and support in PA.
Be curious to see (if thsi happens) if Obama Reid can convince all PA Dmes to not run in a primary against Specter.
Or - IF he does switch, this year to being a (D) what his role would be in the US Senate.
He has a ton od seniority, and could finangkle a deal.

The GOP has cast off, chased away with a stick wayyyyyyy too many electable moderates from their party, and they have reduced the GOP 's strength in the process.
It is pretty much now just a small hard rightwing minority in Congress.
And getting smaller.

 

[WillowTree]

I'm not at all adverse to the democwats having a 60 seat majority, as I've said,, then they will have to get off the "blame Republican pill"

 

[Kevin_Kennedy]

Why bother? There's no significant differences between the two parties.

 

[KMAN]

I guess he realizes that he will never get elected as a Republican again... This probably is not very shocking to anyone though.

Arlen Specter Switching Parties Today - HUMAN EVENTS

 

[Iriemon]

Wow, that is big news.

Now all the Republicans have to do is persuade the Senators from Maine and the other state they excortiated for voting in favor of the stimulus bill, and the Republicans will make themselves trully impotent to do anything more that whine and criticize Obama's every breath.

.... DUmmie ...

Ignored

 

[Iriemon]

Why bother? There's no significant differences between the two parties.

Maybe not from your perspective.

 

[Iriemon]

Thread on this topic already underway here:

http://www.usmessageboard.com/curre...ies-to-give-democrats-60-votes-in-senate.html

 

[WillowTree]

Why bother? There's no significant differences between the two parties.

there is a very big significant difference and it's getting bigger every single passing day..

 

[DavidS]

Wow, that is big news.

Now all the Republicans have to do is persuade the Senators from Maine and the other state they excortiated for voting in favor of the stimulus bill, and the Republicans will make themselves trully impotent to do anything more that whine and criticize Obama's every breath.

.... DUmmie ...

Ignored

Willow's not half as bad as some of the other people. She's just kind of.... adjitating.

 

[WorldAHope]

The Fix - Specter To Switch Parties

Specter's Full Statement:

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.

 

[Avatar4321]

Interesting news. I guess he is making official what he has been doing for years. Voting for the wrong team.

He is running scared. He doesnt think he can win.