It's all up to Franken now!
 

http://www.azcentral.com/news/articl...28specter.html

Specter says he's switching from GOP to Dems

April. 28, 2009 09:09 AM
Associated Press
WASHINGTON - Veteran Republican Sen. Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania disclosed plans Tuesday to switch parties, a move intended to boost his chances of winning re-election next year that also will push Democrats within one seat of a 60-vote filibuster-resistant majority.

"I now find my political philosophy more in line with Democrats than Republicans," Specter said in a statement posted on a Web site devoted to Pennsylvania politics and confirmed by his office. Several Senate officials said a formal announcement was expected later in the day or Wednesday.

President Barack Obama called Specter almost immediately after he was informed of the decision to say the Democratic Party was "thrilled to have you," according to a White House official.
Specter, 79 and in his fifth term, is one of a handful of Republican moderates remaining in Congress in a party now dominated by conservatives. Several officials said secret talks that preceded his decision reached into the White House, involving both Obama and Vice President Joseph Biden, a longtime colleague in the Senate. Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell as well as Democratic leaders in Congress also were involved, added the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to disclose details.

With Specter, Democrats would have 59 Senate seats. Democrat Al Franken is ahead in a marathon recount in Minnesota, and if he ultimately wins his race against Republican Norm Coleman, he would become the party's 60th vote. That is the number needed to overcome a filibuster.

Specter faced an extraordinarily difficult re-election challenge in his home state in 2010, having first to confront a challenge from his right in the Republican primary before pivoting to a general election campaign against a Democrat in a state that has trended increasingly Democratic in recent elections.

He has publicly acknowledged in recent months that in order to win a sixth term, he would need the support of thousands of Pennsylvania Republicans who sided with Obama in last fall's presidential election.

"I am unwilling to have my twenty-nine year Senate record judged by the Pennsylvania Republican primary electorate," he said in the statement.

Asked by a reporter what he had to say to his constituents, Specter replied with a smile, "I don't have to say anything to them. They said it to me."

In Pennsylvania, the chairman of the state Republican Party, Rob Gleason, said that Specter should offer a refund to Republicans who have helped fatten his war chest, which totaled $5.8 million at the end of 2008. "He should give them the option," Gleason said.

Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele said in a statement: "Some in the Republican Party are happy about this. I am not. Let's be honest: Senator Specter didn't leave the GOP based on principles of any kind. He left to further his personal political interests because he knew that he was going to lose a Republican primary due to his left-wing voting record. Republicans look forward to beating Sen. Specter in 2010, assuming the Democrats don't do it first."

Specter has long been one of the most durable politicians of either party in Pennsylvania. In recent years, he has battled Hodgkin's disease, a cancer of the lymphatic system, but maintains a busy schedule that includes daily games of squash.

As one of the most senior Republicans in the Senate, Specter held powerful positions on the Judiciary and Appropriations committees. It was not clear how Democrats would calculate his seniority in assigning committee perches.

Specter has long been an independent Republican, and he proved it most recently when he became one of only three members of the GOP in Congress to vote for Obama's economic stimulus legislation.

As recently as late winter, he was asked by a reporter why he had not taken Democrats up on past offers to switch parties.

"Because I am a Republican," he said at the time.

"I welcome Sen. Specter and his moderate voice to our diverse caucus," Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said in a statement.

A senior White House official, speaking on the condition of anonymity because no announcement has yet been made, said at 10:25 a.m. EDT Tuesday President Barack Obama was handed a note while in the Oval Office during his daily economic briefing. The note said: "Specter is announcing he is changing parties." At 10:32, Obama reached Specter by phone and told him "you have my full support" and that the Democratic Party is "thrilled to have you."

Very interesting. I predict the Franken recount will be dragged out even longer by the national Republican party now.

It's about time! I'm a Democrat, and have voted for Spcter every election because his views are mostly in line with mine.

Very interesting indeed. Spector has been left leaning for a long time, but took shelter in the comfort of the GOP. Noe that the R's are in complete disarray he finally jumps ship. I wonder if he got some financial support from the D's and a few other "assurances."
He has $5+ million to work with - the vast majority of which was from Republican donors. He has also offered to give it back if they want it.
Interesting indeed.

I think this is great news for the country. It would have been nice if Specter could have helped lead his former party away from the disaster they've become, but he'll be a welcome moderate voice inside the Democratic Party to help us avoid a similar fate.

Welcome, Senator Specter.

I voted for Specter, and this is a self-fulfilling destiny for the Republican Party, who systematically drove him out by turning hard right. This state was going to elect any Democrat rather than Specter primary candidate Pat Toomey, and it will elect Specter as a Democrat over Toomey in 2010. The hard-liners are saying "don't let the door hit you on the way out!" and so they fail to learn any hard lessons from this.

Does anybody else find this statement scary?

At least he's now properly labelled.

The Republican Party tent is getting smaller and smaller and most within the party dont seem to mind, preferring to maintain a rigid ideological test over electability.

Most recently they blew a chanced to win back a House seat in a red district with the special election in upstate NY by running the most right wing candidate, who lost to a moderate Democrat.

Who is leading this sinking ship?

Rush Limbaugh. Newt Gingrich and Pat Buchanan have both taken stabs at trying to get control of the party. But the extremists are even too right wing for them.

When is the final court decision expect?

This is hardly surprising. The GOP has been throwing a constant tantrum since 2006 - worse after 2008 - and are now attacking their own, should anyone stray from the fold in the slightest.

Steele's comments about Specter are a precise example of this.

Go Arlen!

Unfortunately that says much about the voters. Too many now vote party lines rather than see the whats and whys that make a good politician. Moderates (such as this author who is independent) cannot vote for Specter (or anyone else) in primary elections. Therefore those who are Specter's greatest supporters cannot help him.

Arlen Specter is a conservative moderate. So close to being a centrist as to be hated by the Republican party's right wing power brokers.

Those outside America have no appreciation of how many times Arlen Specter stood up against efforts to pervert the American Constitution. He has done so by making stands against members of both parties. He did this at great political risk because he put America ahead of the Republican party. So the Republican party hates him. A good Republican is expected to put the party agenda first; American principles second. In the Senate, few have done more to promote America and protect Constitutional guarantees even when it risks his political career.

The man is a thinker first, party member second. He will probably be just as ornery as a Democrat. Good is to remind both parties who they are supposed to work for.

Specter??? That's spooky. He doesn't stand a ghost of a chance, but I admire his spirit.

yoinked to HOF.

Single Bullet Theory

Question: Does "the magic number" of 60 really mean anything? I never thought that filibusters were common occurrences anymore. Is there any other benefit of having 60 seats? It seems like the Dems are already controlling most of the legislation as it is...

The Republicans set a record number cloture votes last session of Congress ...more than doubling any previous Congress.
And this was with a Republican in the White House with veto power.

At one time, not too long ago, filibusters were used primarily to block controversial judicial appointments and/or sweeping legislative initiatives that seriously divided the country. For the Republicans now in the minority, it has become routine to force a vote to cut-off debate.

It is not illegal or unethical....just hypocritical on the part of Republicans, particularly when it thwarts the will of a more than narrow will of the American people.

Yes it matters.

It's important in that, if the democrats want to pass a bill in the senate, they can do it no matter if every republican is against it. And the repubs can't filibuster (which happens a lot) to block the vote.

Of course, all this is assuming that the Dems all vote together too.

I see, I see. Yeah I always knew that the magic number blocked filibusters, so obviously it would be significant. My real question was whether anybody uses filibusters anymore, which Redux pretty much answered for me.

I had no idea that there that many cloture votes!

Taking the same problem from another level. Republican party has a serious internal problem. It has no leader. It has too many members entrenched in political agendas. Infighting has become so heated as to drive many (especially moderate Republicans) out and to alienate the troops. As a result, the party is not able to compromise with Democrats. That is the worst situations for anyone who is more interested in America. The deadlock and infighting makes it impossible for moderate Democrats, Republicans, and those of independent stature to solve any problems. Any Republican who even looks like he has compromised with a Democrat is beaten and destroyed by what is now a raging mob.

Two ways around this. First Republicans find someone with leadership abilities. Or Democrats get sufficient votes to quash any filibuster. The latter situation would force Republicans to settle their differences, find a leader, and start working for America. Which means cooperating with Democrats again.

A politican must eventually decide whether he works for America or for party extremists. This exclusive OR condition applies to both parties.

wolf, what he meant by that statement is, the Republican Party has been backing hard right wing candidates in rebublican primaries against moderate incumbants. The moderate incumbant ends up losing to the hard right candidate, but then the republicans lose in the general election because the candidates are too extreme and people vote for the democrat. It makes no sense. They are giving up seats in order to "purify the party." They were backing another candidate against Specter in the upcoming primaries in 2010. Arlen Specter wasn't willing to just let his seat go. (Primaries never have the number of people voting as the general elections.) In the general election against an extreme candidate he will probably be able to hold on to his seat as a democrat.

The Democrats get to leave early on Fridays, and get an extra serving of ice cream at lunch.:D

Because it is about his desire to hang on to power and not losing his job. And for no other reason.

The Club for "Growth" ran an unelectable candidate against him in the primary.

The party pushed him out and said good riddance and did a little dance afterwards.

It's exactly what the Ds did to Lieberman. Nobody ever learns.

Maybe he learned that from Richard Shelby, the Senator from Alabama who switched from D to R in the 90s for fear of losing his reelection.

Maybe he just took a page from his own history instead:

It is all about him wanting to stay in the Senate and keep the power in his hands.

It would have been more interesting if he had just become an Independent. Then he could truely say no one owned him and he owed no one. But of course he would never be bank rolled in a re-elections like the Dems can do for him.

Okay.

And now you're down a senator. If Franken makes it, you can't even filibuster. Obama can appoint anyone he likes.

But you've established ideological purity. Congratulations.

WTF are you talking about. I'm not down shit. The Republickins are down one the Demoncrats are up one. :lol2:

Of course. Because you're "independent". :lol:

Even though you spend all your time defending Bush and his policies.

Who said I was "independent"?

You did. Or tried to.

Where? Link it.

Naw, I'm not going digging.

Instead, I'll just ask you...you say you aren't a republican, I seriously doubt you're a dem...and now you aren't an independent. What are you?

Your deepest secret fear. ;)

None of your fucking business, but it is fun watching you dig yourself a hole as you try to figure me out. Have fun!

It's okay if you're afraid to state your beliefs. Most of the sissies are.

TGRR,
Would rather just laugh at your weak ass.

What? An internet "conservative" that hasn't got the courage of his convictions?

Boo, scary, kids!

:3eye:

You never said anything about conservative. I am conservative on some issues. You said Republickin a few times, you said Independent this last time, and as usual you are talking out of your ass making assumptions about people. You have no idea WTF you are talking about. Again. :lol2:

And you're too afraid to say it, Nancy. :3eye:

I am absolutely crushed. :rotflol: :moon:

Who cares? I only give a damn about vertebrates.

You. It must piss you off when people don't do what you want them to do. :D

Why do you lie so much, Mercenary? Were you raised wrong?

Are you tw's twin?:p

Are you an idiot?

You win! I will put you on my special Christmas List. See ya. Ignored.

TGRR! I found your pillow!

http://homedecor.cafepress.com/al-franken-quote_pillows

Is that all it took? :biglaugha

TGRR,
Should have done this weeks ago.

So much for you ignoring me. :lol:

And speaking of rinos, might Senator McCain join in on this change action? One can only hope.

What an asshole. That is just plain wrong. He switched parties to stay in power - plain & simple.

So what? It's not like he's the first one to do it.

Ahhh, Karma ...

Ohhh I just found Spectors reply...

Uh, nope - apparently his colleagues choose not to give it to him.
Oh well. Guess thats the price he'll have to pay for the switch.

That is a frigging hoot.

Can you name ONE politician for which it isn't about that?

That is assuming all democrats will vote accordingly, and they have proven they won't. The bluedog democrats are siding with republicans.

Personally, I hope a couple of progressive (NOT moderate) democrats decide to challenge him, if he doesn't support at least the main things Obama wants passed, like health care and energy.

Was it because he has voted against things he probably shouldn't have? I remember hearing about this, but I don't remember why they voted him out. :scratching head: