Specter to switch parties

[Ronnie]

Holy shit.

When Franken is seated, the Dems will have a filibuster proof majority.

[Ronnie]

I didn't really want to say this but:

Keystone, you were right.  Specter is a spineless, opportunistic, scumbag.  I apologize for doubting you.

[Ronnie]

Or it was maybe because the Republicans have turned into the Party of Palin (alternatively Bloc Dixie) and have shifted far to the right, and the in PA Republicans have lost 200,000+ registered Republicans to the Democratic Party thus shifting the Party Primary electorate even more and maybe it has something to do with the Republicans not tolerating moderates.

That all was obvious before he made firm claims he'd never switch parties and started to reverse his positions on labor

I'm not ignoring the obvious opportunism, I'm just saying that acting like this switch was due to Specter being evill is ridiculous, there are reasons.

Yeah, he switched so he still could be senator.  If the Rasmussen poll showed Specter ahead of Toomey, he would have stayed as a Republican.

[Ronnie]

Holy shit.

When Franken is seated, the Dems will have a filibuster proof majority.

It should be noted that this fillibuster proof majority relies on Ben Nelson, Evan Bayh, Joe Lieberman, and Arlen Specter. Not exactly the most liberal bunch.

Lieberman pretty much toes the liberal line when it comes to the economy (the real issue), but you are correct about the others.  Bayh and Nelson, specifically, are very erratic when it comes to the economy and I really don't know what their philosophy is other than "vote with the GOP ~35% of the time".

[Ronnie]

Here's an interesting analysis from Santorum:

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2009/04/28/santorum_on_specters_party_switch.html

Nothing we haven't heard though, I guess.

[Ronnie]

Isn't Specter to the left of Ben Nelson?  Or are they in the same ball park?

In any case, count on Specter moving left.