Veteran Republican Sen. Arlen Specter announced Tuesday that he is switching parties, a move would give Democrats a filibuster-proof 60 seats if Al Franken is seated in the Minnesota race.
“I have decided to run for re-election in 2010 in the Democratic primary,” the Pennsylvania senator said in a statement.
“I now find my political philosophy more in line with Democrats than Republicans,” Specter said, adding that the “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.”
60. 60.
Couple thoughts: This is the second time in 10 years a senator has switched parties, both times from Republican to Democrat. What will labor do? Specter is against EFCA but Pat Toomey – formerly of Club for Growth – is probably even more anti-labor than Specter. Maybe they’ll sit it out.
Wooot! I nominate Arlen Specter as King of the Yoostabees*, to succeed Holy Joe Lieberman.
Or Zell Miller, for that matter.
*In a nice way, I mean. Check out Tom the Dancing Bug for the other way.
I’m interested in knowing what perks he negotiated in exchange for the party switch.
Politically, it’s the smartest thing he could have done. Instead of losing a 2010 primary to Pat Toomey (which would have meant another Democratic senator for PA anyway), Arlen becomes a lock for 2010 provided he doesn’t lose a primary to a more pro-labor Democrat. (Which would be tough, as Arlen Specter’s capacity for fundraising is damn good)
Really, I don’t see much of a sea-change as a result of this split. Specter will be another Evan Bayh, part of the blue dog coalition. Something to hope for would be Arlen’s eventual attempts to ingratiate himself with his new party.
He says he’s not going to change his position on EFCA, but considering he’s already flipped on this issue, the chance that he might flip back next year (when he needs to prove something to Labor, and perhaps after the bill gets watered down a smidge). Something to hope for, I suppose.
Oh, and one more thing. So this is what Joe Biden’s been up to, huh? Someone earned his paycheck today.
I’m interested in knowing what perks he negotiated in exchange for the party switch.
He’ll be re-elected. Not really sure what else he needs.
Eh. Wake me when this means he’ll change his vote on EFCA. Until then it’s just Arlen saving his own ass and an overall loss for the Democratic agenda. I would have rather had an actual Democrat win the seat next year, which was guaranteed to happen anyway.
The traditional price is a chairmanship and other perqs. And Specter has been with the Democrats a hell of a lot more than the Republicans in the last few years. It’s just formalizing what’s been known for some time.
Presuming it happens, of course.
J.
So he gives Democratics nearly unprecedented power to move Legislation and he gets … nothing in return? Wow, he’s a bigger tactical idiot than I first thought!
And his re-election is no lock. He wasn’t exactly PA’s favorite son to begin with. And now he’s got to cultivate a whole new set of allies and backers without the head start an incumbent normally gets.
I welcome the extra vote for the Democratic caucus through 2010, but I am angered by the latest news from Atrios:
Who the hell does the state party leadership think it is to tell millions of PA Democrats that their party’s Senate candidate in 2010 will be someone who has been on the opposite side of the aisle for 30 years and who has, for the time being, stated opposition to one of the most important labor relations acts in years (a big deal for the blue collar residents of this former Rust Belt state)? It’s like Holy Joe’s primary all over again – “who do these little people think they are, imagining they should have some say in who their party’s nominee is?”
Of course, if some netroots-powered (since the state party certainly wouldn’t give a challenger a dime) progressive Dem challenger steps up and mounts a vigorous primary challenge against Specter, I wonder what the FOX News bloviators (who were positively nonplussed that anyone could have the gall to attempt to primary out the saintly Lieberman) would think? On the one hand they’d be inclined to support the challenge because it would be a stab in the back to their hated RINO Specter, but on the other hand that would validate the idea that a people powered progressive can stand against the Beltway Insiders – unacceptable! I think FOX would just have to black out any news about a PA Senate primary altogether.
Here’s how it looks from where I sit. Specter and other Northeastern Republicans, including Olympia Snowe, Susan Collins, Lincoln Chafee, and Jim Jeffords, represent a Northeastern Republicanism that was more liberal than Republicans generally on social issues, but had quite a bit common with others on other issues.
While the so-called “country-club Republicans” held sway in the party, the occasional apsotasy of a Jeffords or a Specter could be tolerated. Or even encouraged, to show that the Republican Party was a big tent. The big tent got a heckuva lot smaller in the 1990s, and skewed further to the right as the century turned.
The far right took the reins in the GOP at about the same time that party loyalty really began to harden. Apostasy — even occasional apostasy — became far less tolerated. And forget voting diverging from your party for the good of the country. That’s a no-no, too.
Aside from this, the Republican Party messed up big time with its treatment of Specter. Up to now, they had a Republican who occasionally crossed party lines to vote with the Democrats. Thanks to their ideological hard line, the Republicans must now deal with a Democrat who MIGHT be persuaded to vote Republican occasionally.
Getting him to do so will be a tough act.
As one positive aside, I do hope that in a few days some of the major news shows will discuss the mountains of death threats that I have not the slightest doubt Specter is receiving right about now, and which will increase when Rush, Hannity, and La Malkin get on the horn. Such reports should end with the anchor looking into the camera and saying “What was that about ‘right wing extremists’ again?”
So he gives Democratics nearly unprecedented power to move Legislation and he gets … nothing in return? Wow, he’s a bigger tactical idiot than I first thought!
He could be doing it for the good of the country. Y’know, Country First an’ ‘at.
How cynical, Farris.
He could be doing it for the good of the country.
Sure. And Oliver is going to announce he’s a Cowboys fan and that he’s supporting Newt Gingrich for President in 2012.
This was a self-preservation move. Farris wants to know what perks Specter was able to get and Rheinhard answered in part: no primary challenger.
Duros,
He’s not getting nothing, but he is definitely improving his position.
From his statement: “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.”
In other words, my first priority is to keep this cushy job, and there’s not a snowball’s chance in Hell of that happening if I remain in the Republican Party.
Self-interest first. Everything else is tied for a very, very distant second.
It’s actually the fourth time in ten years; Bob Smith (NH) switched from Republican to independent and back again in 1999, a few months short of 10 years ago.
any challenger would also be up against the Specter fundraising machine…he may be Dem now (or soon), but his employees/staff are still his, by and large, and will continue to work for him in raising funds for his election.
I’m betting he’ll retain his committee seats…there’s already a motion in DKos to remind Dems to avoid any Banana Republican motion to reorganize the committees to regain Specter’s seats…
So, with a 60 senators, is there a chance that maybe, just maybe, it will stop being the Republicans’ fault that things aren’t done in Congress? I might not agree with the Democrats on most of their agenda, but I’d really like them to start implementing it instead of collecting a paycheck for wasting time.
Another 174k earner against unions. Same shit, different day
He could be doing it for the good of the country. Y’know, Country First an’ ‘at.
Snerk! Went right over Jay’s head, duros!
I’m pushing for a contested Democratic Senate primary in 2010 over at my place, even if the party is promising Specter a free ride. Click my name.
Of course it is for self-preservation. He is looking out for No. 1 first and foremost, just like every other member of the House and Senate does.
That said, this is just yet more proof that the Republican Party has been hijacked by the far right and moderates are not welcome. One possible outcome is that the Republicans may now be forced to actually come up with ideas, rather than relying on the ability to filibuster.
So, with a 60 senators, is there a chance that maybe, just maybe, it will stop being the Republicans’ fault that things aren’t done in Congress?
Of course not.
That said, this is just yet more proof that the Republican Party has been hijacked by the far right and moderates are not welcome.
Uh huh. Considering most liberals think that anybody to the right of Ted Kennedy is “far right”, such a statement doesn’t hold much water.
Before Specter left the Republican Party it could be said that out of over 200 Republican Congressional Representatives and Senators there were at least three Moderate Republicans.
Taking Specter out of that equation means that, at best, Moderate Republicans represent less than 01% of the Republican party.
Right wing extremists now control over 99% of the Republican Party.
Still, the Democratic leadership is 30% to 60% controlled by moderate Republicans, so it’s not like moderate Republican positions are unrepresentated.
Considering most liberals think that anybody to the right of Ted Kennedy is “far right”, such a statement doesn’t hold much water.
Say, Jay you might be interested in the news story at the top of this thread. According to some recent reports, a long-serving Republican senator was just welcomed into the Democratic party because his old party has moved too far right.
Headline: Arlen Specter Switches to Democratic Party
Jay Tea: Presuming it happens, of course.
Reality: I’m tired of getting ignored by this guy.
Jay: Considering most liberals think that anybody to the right of Ted Kennedy is “far right”, such a statement doesn’t hold much water.
Considering most
liberals“conservatives” think that anybody to therightleft ofTed KennedyLeader Limbaugh is “farrightleft”, such a statement doesn’t hold much water.Fixed. (Let’s “fair and balanced”!)
The Democratic Party has been welcoming Moderate Republicans to the Dem Party for 40 years.
Several of the “Conservatives” I know voted Democratic the last several elections.
The vast majority of Republican members are better served by Democratic policies. Smart, honest Republicans understand that.
The GOP death spiral continues.
J.G.Thayer: “The traditional price is a chairmanship and other perqs. And Specter has been with the Democrats a hell of a lot more than the Republicans in the last few years. It’s just formalizing what’s been known for some time.”
Is it your goal to be wrong as often as possible?
“Presuming it happens, of course.”
Clearly it is.
According to some recent reports, a long-serving Republican senator was just welcomed into the Democratic party because his old party has moved too far right.
And according to some recent reports, there’s this strange looking creature around that is half human and half bat.
SFC B: “So, with a 60 senators, is there a chance that maybe, just maybe, it will stop being the Republicans’ fault that things aren’t done in Congress?”
Not until Franken is seated.
“I might not agree with the Democrats on most of their agenda, but I’d really like them to start implementing it instead of collecting a paycheck for wasting time.”
So you are complaining that Republicans are being blamed for THEIR OBSTRUCTION, but the next sentence you complain that it’s the Democrats’ fault that the Republicans are being obstructionists.
The hypocrisy is amazing.
Good riddance.
Good welcome, Specter.
But Rheinhard’s right, it shouldn’t eliminate a Dem primary challenge.
“According to some recent reports, a long-serving Republican senator was just welcomed into the Democratic party because his old party has moved too far right.”
Jay Caruso: “And according to some recent reports, there’s this strange looking creature around that is half human and half bat.”
I think there’s substantially more evidence for the GOP’s move to the right.
yo mama: “Good riddance.”
Yep. If there’s anything the GOP has too much of, it’s moderate elected officials.
“Good riddance.”
Thats the spirit! We’ll marginalize ourselves without your help, so there!
SFC B: “I might not agree with the Democrats on most of their agenda”
The Dem’s agenda is better for the country and better for nearly everyone you have ever known, SFC B (that goes for “Jay” and “SaveFarris” and “yo mama” as well).
The vast, vast majority of Republican voters are hurt by the Republican ‘agenda’.
The Republican ‘agenda’ is ‘good’ for less than 10% of the country. That includes those amongst the top 10% * of income earners who expect tax cuts during times of war and the tiny, tiny minority of theocratic mammon worshipers that support them.
The Republican ‘agenda’ is a farce and a con that has done tremendous damage to America and Americans.
* lots of ‘wealthy’ people vote Democratic (lots of Christians vote Democratic as well).
Well, yes. Duh. The Democratic Party has a majority, a rather sizable majority I though, and yet they allow the Republicans to hold their agenda hostage because they fear a fillibuster? Rather than allow the Republicans to get away with a procedural filibuster why doesn’t Harry Reid man-up and require an actual filibuster? How long do you think it would take of continous talking before the handful of Republicans necessary to end the filibuster would switch in that circumstance? But of course he won’t do that because being able to blame the Republicans for obstructionism is far more valuable politically. The Democrats have had the ability to prevent the Republicans from obstructing their agenda for years now, and refuse to do it.
I dunno, their agenda of increasing the deficit to a previously-thought-ridiclious level is going to do me some harm. Their agenda of propping up failed businesses to the tune of several tens of billions of dollars will do me some harm as well.
Hence why they’re the minority party and likely to not survive in the long-term. Maybe, just maybe, an actual small-government, liberty-respecting party will fill the vacuum.
I can hope.
When I wrote my comment, the reports were all still speculative about Specter. It could have still gone south. Now, it’s done.
And that is a pretty good payoff for Specter — no Democratic challenger. Considering that the Republican challenger was doing pretty well, and the national party was not happy with him, that’s a pretty damned good present. Toss in some national support, and Specter can count himself lucky.
J.
How long do you think it would take of continous talking before the handful of Republicans necessary to end the filibuster would switch in that circumstance?
Right there’s the problem, SFC. A filibuster doesn’t actually require anyone to stand up and talk nonstop. All it takes is for one guy to hang around and demand a quorum call every time the majority tries to get anything done.
Their agenda is not better for me. I own thousands of ounces of silver, and quite a bit of gold too. A capital gains increase costs me money. I’ve seen the stock I own nosedive since cap and trade has been brought up too. And any piddly tax cut we all get will be urinated away in utility expenses, especially in areas where most energy comes from coal-fired plants. And I already have a good, affordable health care plan, so I don’t need his handouts. It’s even gotten to the point that I will not claim any income on my LLC just so I don’t have to pay taxes on it. It’s all cash now baby. Cash for me, but not for Uncle Sam. Add on the fact that he’s tripled our debt, and eventually, we’re pretty much all screwed.
Obama’s agenda is *not* good for me. I would know. It’s my money I’ll be losing. And have lost some of already.
According to some recent reports, a long-serving and widely known Republican in Name Only senator was just welcomed into the Democratic party because
his old party has moved too far rightthey recognized the obvious tactical and political advantages to doing so.Specter is just making it official.
especially in areas where most energy comes from coal-fired plants.
speaking as someone who lives in an area that (a) gets its energy from coal-fired plants, and (b) is being devastated by the removal of said coal, I’d just as soon the rest of y’all start paying the true cost of the damned stuff!
Jay Tea: When I wrote my comment, the reports were all still speculative about Specter.
Oh, I call bullshit. It’s right there at the top of the page. “Veteran Republican Sen. Arlen Specter announced Tuesday that he is switching parties“. You going to bend reality again and tell us your comment in response actually came before OW’s posting which started this whole thread?
especially in areas where most energy comes from coal-fired plants.
speaking as someone who lives in an area that (a) gets its energy from coal-fired plants, and (b) is being devastated by the removal of said coal, I’d just as soon the rest of y’all start paying the true cost of the damned stuff!
Dave in SoCal: “According to some recent reports, a long-serving and widely known Republican in Name Only senator…”
He was more conservative than Ben Nelson was liberal. Voted with the Republicans more than the Democrats. Do you think that will stay the same?
QiaB: A filibuster doesn’t actually require anyone to stand up and talk nonstop. All it takes is for one guy to hang around and demand a quorum call every time the majority tries to get anything done.
Yeah, but I do agree with SFC B on this part. The Dems should stop giving in to threats, grow a back bone, act like they’re actually in charge and make the Repubs actually do it
The Dems should stop giving in to threats, grow a back bone, act like they’re actually in charge and make the Repubs actually do it
I suppose they could. But it would have to be at a time when they were willing to allow the GOP to bring all Senate business to a complete halt. Until there are quite a few more confirmations for key positions, that time isn’t here yet.
To Jay, Jay Tea, Dennis, and all the other wing-nut loons on O-dub.com:
/Nelson Muntz voice
HA-HA!!!
And it’s Reid’s decision to allow the Republicans to get away without doing that. This isn’t 1988. There are a half dozen cable news networks who would probably devote the time to cover a Senator sitting on the Senate floor calling for a quorum call. Keith Olberman would jack-off off camera at the thought of being able to comment on such obvious Republican obstructionism. Running totals of the money being squandered by the Senate’s inaction due to Senator R’s obstructing of President Obama and the Senate Democrat’s Noble Mission. The Republicans would actually risk that shitstorm over confirming some putz for some cabinet position? I doubt it.
SFC B: There are a half dozen cable news networks who would probably devote the time to cover a Senator sitting on the Senate floor calling for a quorum call. … The Republicans would actually risk that shitstorm over confirming some putz for some cabinet position? I doubt it.
Exactly.
yo mama writes “Obama’s agenda is *not* good for me. I would know. It’s my money I’ll be losing. And have lost some of already.”
Was Bush’s agenda of ruining the economy and cutting the Dow’s value in half good for you? Or anyone else for that matter? Didn’t think so.
Not good news for liberal Democrats, at all. Specter will extract higher prices for his votes to placate a purple base.
Somebody remember to ask Harry Reid whether Arlen’s ass tastes like Lieberman’s.
IMO, it’s more of a “horrible news for the GOP” thing than it is good news for Dems.
What’ll matter is how he goes on cloture. With Franken seated, I’m thinking it’ll still be good in a short-term, tactical way for Obama’s agenda.
What’d really be nice? Finding a strong progressive who could beat him Specter in the primary and then trounce loony-tune wing-nut Toomey.
So overall it’s good for Dems and America. And what the hell, when is it ever not fun to see the further disintegration of the wing-nut party? The GOP is comedy gold, as usual.
Jaim: “What’d really be nice? Finding a strong progressive who could beat him Specter in the primary and then trounce loony-tune wing-nut Toomey.”
Hell yeah.
QiaB: “A filibuster doesn’t actually require anyone to stand up and talk nonstop. All it takes is for one guy to hang around and demand a quorum call every time the majority tries to get anything done.”
Sean: “Yeah, but I do agree with SFC B on this part. The Dems should stop giving in to threats, grow a back bone, act like they’re actually in charge and make the Repubs actually do it”
I think it’s a choice between pageantry and trying to get something done. The former would only work if the Republicans could be shamed into doing the right thing. I don’t think they can.
This link’s goin’ out my my main wing-nut Jay:
Speculation That Biden Engineered the Specter Defection:
http://theplumline.whorunsgov.com/republican-national-committee/happy-hour-thread-biden-had-fourteen-conversations-with-specter-this-year/
CSS: I think it’s a choice between pageantry and trying to get something done. The former would only work if the Republicans could be shamed into doing the right thing. I don’t think they can.
They’re pretty shameless, true. But giving in whenever a filibuster is just threatened isn’t much of a way to accomplish anything either. AT least by making them follow thru their obstructionism would be on greater display (driving more from the Repub party?) and it would weaken their claim that it’s the Dems that do nothing.
That the Democrats got nothing from this proves something I’ve thought for a long time: They are actively, deliberately standing in the way of progress. they aren’t trying and failing to delivery. They are actively trying not to deliver. They want EFCA to fail. They want the right wing power grabs of this decade to stay in effect. They want people tortured. They want a small group of elites to have near total control over this country.
Why else do this? A more progressive democrat would have won this election, and we’d have gotten those things. Arlen Specter got PERKS for joining, he didn’t even have to make concessions. He needed us a lot more than we needed him. The democrats are actively cock-blocking everyone to their left right now. Why should we both supporting them?