Specter to switch parties
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  Specter to switch parties
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Author Topic: Specter to switch parties  (Read 41737 times)
The Duke
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« Reply #100 on: April 28, 2009, 01:28:07 PM »

Democrats are like an ugly girl who needs a prom date: They'll take anyone.

Well this ugly girl is about to walk all up and down the face of your party. Let me know which one you would prefer once we pass healthcare, cap-and-trade, EFCA, etc.

Don't worry, I'm sure you'll be able to rely on Specter as a reliable vote for all your important priorities.  After all, he is known for nothing if not loyalty and consistency!

When the economy doesn't recover and Obama's approval numbers slide, I guarantee Arlen Specter will f--- you.  Are you going to enjoy it when Snarlin Arlen goes on Morning Joe to brag about how mavericky he is for bucking his party on cap-and-trade?
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Brittain33
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« Reply #101 on: April 28, 2009, 01:31:11 PM »

Toomey is on MSNBC right now on the phone. Tongue

What's he saying? This is record time for him to engineer a party switch; usually it takes until the general election.
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Boris
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« Reply #102 on: April 28, 2009, 01:31:50 PM »

Specter needs to evade being primaried as a Dem by switching to Indy, then winning a three-cornered contest.

No other outcome to this mess could be satisfactory. Tongue

I'm officially rooting for this scenario, but we need some 2010 polls ASAP
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Miamiu1027
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« Reply #103 on: April 28, 2009, 01:31:58 PM »

is he going to land a chairmanship out of this...?
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RIP Robert H Bork
officepark
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« Reply #104 on: April 28, 2009, 01:32:30 PM »

The Facebook and Conservative website comments are amazing.  Our own activists want to give away Snowe, Collins, McCain, Alexander, Gov. Schwarzenegger, to the Dems.

This is insanity.

You mean Lamar Alexander?? Shocked
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Brittain33
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« Reply #105 on: April 28, 2009, 01:32:44 PM »

certainly wouldn't seem impossible that he loses a Democratic primary, especially since I believe he is still against EFCA and still old and sick and etc.

He has a ton of money and the Democratic machine will crush anyone who tries.
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« Reply #106 on: April 28, 2009, 01:33:34 PM »

certainly wouldn't seem impossible that he loses a Democratic primary, especially since I believe he is still against EFCA and still old and sick and etc.

He has a ton of money and the Democratic machine will crush anyone who tries.

yeah, PA is a 'machine state' and I guess he made sure that the establishment would have his back before he did this
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Marokai Backbeat
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« Reply #107 on: April 28, 2009, 01:35:08 PM »

Toomey is on MSNBC right now on the phone. Tongue

What's he saying? This is record time for him to engineer a party switch; usually it takes until the general election.

Basically called him an opportunistic old man that can't be trusted on anything.
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change08
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« Reply #108 on: April 28, 2009, 01:40:45 PM »

What if he loses the DEM Primary?

I'd find that pretty damn funny.

Well he has nothing to lose. He would've lost the Rep Primary to Toomey anyway.
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Mint
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« Reply #109 on: April 28, 2009, 01:44:39 PM »
« Edited: April 28, 2009, 01:46:21 PM by Mint »

Specter's own words: “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.”


Translation: I have slighted and flat out betrayed my loyal Republican constituents over 29 years one time too many and they won't put up with it any longer. I must therefore leave the party, retire from politics or end my career with a humiliating primary defeat. If the economy tanks more like I think it will this is going to be fun...
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Marokai Backbeat
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« Reply #110 on: April 28, 2009, 01:47:10 PM »

Specter's own words: “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.”


Translation: I have slighted and flat out betrayed my loyal Republican constituents over 29 years one time too many and they won't put up with it any longer. I must therefore leave the party, retire from politics or end my career with a humiliating primary defeat. If the economy tanks more like I think it will this is going to be fun...

Oh and the Republicans turning into a Southern Know-nothing Party and losing 200,000 votes in PA kinda hurts too.

But y'know whatever.
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Franzl
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« Reply #111 on: April 28, 2009, 01:48:32 PM »

Specter's own words: “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.”


Translation: I have slighted and flat out betrayed my loyal Republican constituents over 29 years one time too many and they won't put up with it any longer. I must therefore leave the party, retire from politics or end my career with a humiliating primary defeat. If the economy tanks more like I think it will this is going to be fun...

flat out betrayed? Seems more like the party betrayed him to me.
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CultureKing
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« Reply #112 on: April 28, 2009, 01:51:00 PM »

Well... It looks like we need to get Franken seated ASAP. We have the 60 votes needed, its time to show what democrats can do while in power!  Though honestly cleaning up from the past 8 years will take at least until 2010 or 2011. Any idea on if Specter will move to the left at all because of this (even if only slightly so?).
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Frozen Sky Ever Why
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« Reply #113 on: April 28, 2009, 01:52:39 PM »

I'm glad Specter took the time to rip the neo-con wing of the party. They really have destroyed its reputation here. My father was a Republican since Reagan and he's changed his party and now votes Dem because of the Bush-era politics.
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Franzl
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« Reply #114 on: April 28, 2009, 01:53:05 PM »

Specter is likely to move to the left on votes, I guess, at least until the primary next year.

I mean...let's get real, he is a politician....and despite my admiration for him as a senator....I don't think he'll hesitate to give Democrats some of the votes they want.
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Mint
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« Reply #115 on: April 28, 2009, 01:54:53 PM »

Specter's own words: “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.”


Translation: I have slighted and flat out betrayed my loyal Republican constituents over 29 years one time too many and they won't put up with it any longer. I must therefore leave the party, retire from politics or end my career with a humiliating primary defeat. If the economy tanks more like I think it will this is going to be fun...

flat out betrayed? Seems more like the party betrayed him to me.

He groveled for cash and they supplied it to him. Then he thumbed his nose at them and a large number of his constituents highly publicly, on issue after issue. Now when people are tired of him repeatedly ignoring their requests on everything from immigration to the stimulus, he's bowing out and pretending it's due to some profound realization. Give me a ing break.
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Franzl
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« Reply #116 on: April 28, 2009, 01:58:32 PM »

Specter's own words: “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.”


Translation: I have slighted and flat out betrayed my loyal Republican constituents over 29 years one time too many and they won't put up with it any longer. I must therefore leave the party, retire from politics or end my career with a humiliating primary defeat. If the economy tanks more like I think it will this is going to be fun...

flat out betrayed? Seems more like the party betrayed him to me.

He groveled for cash and they supplied it to him. Then he thumbed his nose at them and a large number of his constituents highly publicly, on issue after issue. Now when people are tired of him repeatedly ignoring their requests on everything from immigration to the stimulus, he's bowing out and pretending it's due to some profound realization. Give me a ing break.

Seems that during such a long time in the Senate, the party would have eventually stopped supporting him if they didn't feel he sufficiently represented their views...but no, they kept on sending him there....although 2004 was certainly the first indication of that changing.

I don't dispute that Specter's change today is entirely politically motivated....but given the circumstances, it's his best chance of surviving. And look, it's not like the GOP has really treated him all that well. Calling someone "Comrade of the Month" is not the best way of dealing with disagreements.
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Small Business Owner of Any Repute
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« Reply #117 on: April 28, 2009, 02:01:27 PM »

Oh well.  Couldn't get re-elected as a Republican, but are things really so much rosier as a Democrat?  This will be interesting to see.

Rush Limbaugh is now advocating that McCain switch next.  Do you agree with that Phil?

I wonder what Olympia Snowe is thinking.

Probably something along the lines of, "boy, am I glad that I can still be re-elected as a Republican."

On a scale of 1 to 10, how stupid should htmldon feel right now for backing Specter over Toomey in 2004?  I say... about a 47.  Kerry & Specter for working families!

Heh, heh.  I'm still glad I voted for Specter over Hoeffel; Specter over Toomey.

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Mint
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« Reply #118 on: April 28, 2009, 02:20:02 PM »

Seems that during such a long time in the Senate, the party would have eventually stopped supporting him if they didn't feel he sufficiently represented their views...but no, they kept on sending him there....although 2004 was certainly the first indication of that changing.

I'd say the change was obvious right after he got re-elected.

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I would agree except it seems like he's gone out of his way with every vote and media statement to piss people off. Doesn't matter if it's EFCA, the Stimulus, Immigration, whatever. I know some Republicans are insane but it doesn't really look like he even bothered trying to reach out or salvage things.

Of course he's doing what's in his best interest (at least seemingly), but the spin is insulting nonetheless.
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Marokai Backbeat
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« Reply #119 on: April 28, 2009, 02:21:04 PM »

Santorum apparently says he's "deeply disappointed."

You're in good company with your new fellow Republicans, Peter. Tongue
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Zarn
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« Reply #120 on: April 28, 2009, 02:25:56 PM »

One month from now:

Toomey leaves Republican Party... Becomes Democrat

Specter's response: Is he fricken serious? Looks like I'm going Socialist.

Come on Specter, man up and primary with Toomey.
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Franzl
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« Reply #121 on: April 28, 2009, 02:53:42 PM »

Specter is not switching to the Democrat Party, he is returning to it.  Remember, after he lost won his 1965 race for District Attorney as a Democrat, he switched to Republican.
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opebo
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« Reply #122 on: April 28, 2009, 02:56:34 PM »

I wonder why he is so desperate to stay in the Senate, that he is willing to endure this kind of self humiliation.  Is it really worth it Arlen?

What's humiliating about being an amoral power-seeker?  He should be proud of that.  

You know I'd never really watched Specter speak before watching this announcement (and I certainly don't 'agree' with him on most things), but I have to say I liked him.

But anyway, as much as I like to see egg on the face of the Southern Religious Party, Specter is hardly a very satisfactory Democrat.
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Purple State
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« Reply #123 on: April 28, 2009, 02:59:09 PM »

Democrats are like an ugly girl who needs a prom date: They'll take anyone.

Well this ugly girl is about to walk all up and down the face of your party. Let me know which one you would prefer once we pass healthcare, cap-and-trade, EFCA, etc.

Don't worry, I'm sure you'll be able to rely on Specter as a reliable vote for all your important priorities.  After all, he is known for nothing if not loyalty and consistency!

When the economy doesn't recover and Obama's approval numbers slide, I guarantee Arlen Specter will f--- you.  Are you going to enjoy it when Snarlin Arlen goes on Morning Joe to brag about how mavericky he is for bucking his party on cap-and-trade?

Specter has shown himself to be a shrewd politician, not some maverick. His moderate stance is solely used to keep him in elections, which is also why he switched parties (twice). As it stands he will face a primary challenge from the Dems if he bucks us too many times. Not to mention he will need labor to win this. It looks like we will have a pretty solid Dem vote out of him at least until 2010, and that's really all it will take.
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Filuwaúrdjan
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« Reply #124 on: April 28, 2009, 03:02:33 PM »

I wonder why he is so desperate to stay in the Senate, that he is willing to endure this kind of self humiliation.  Is it really worth it Arlen?

What's humiliating about being an amoral power-seeker?  He should be proud of that.

And, of course, that's what he is. A power politician, full stop.
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