Specter to switch parties

[Wiz in Wis]

Obviously as a crazy liberal, I am not too pleased. This just destroyed the possibility of Senator Schwartz or Sestak. However, as a Democrat, I am quite happy. Nothing reinforces a story like 1/3 of the moderate Republican Senate Caucus bolting. Even if he doesn't vote with us one iota more than he did previously, its worth the embarassment of the Republicans.

Since Michael Steele became chair, they've lost a Senate seat and an opportunity at a House seat. Never leave Michael!

[Wiz in Wis]

Switching parties seems to have an affect:

ADA Scores
Shelby (D):
1992 - 30
1993 - 35
1994 - 30
Shelby (R)
1995 - 5
1996 - 5
1997 - 5

Jeffords (R)
1998 - 55
1999 - 45
2000 - 55
Jeffords (I) though switched mid term 2001
2001 - 40
2002 - 95
2003 - 85

[Wiz in Wis]

Looks like Nate at 538 confirmed my little experiment with ADA scores using DW-Nominate. Expect Specter to be more like Bob Casey than Ben Nelson. In fact, with Casey there, I would assume you see rather twin like voting from that duo

http://www.fivethirtyeight.com/2009/04/what-kind-of-democrat-will-arlen.html

[Wiz in Wis]

Chris Matthews and Michael Smerconish are talking up Tom Ridge as a challenger to Toomey and someone who could beat Specter.

I tend to think that would be too cute by half. Ridge is like Specter... and I don't think he could win in a primary by substituting for Specter when Specter was getting his ass kicked.