Sen. Specter switches parties

[Gaidin]

WSJ

Pennsylvania Republican Sen. Arlen Specter is switching parties, handing Senate Democrats and President Barack Obama a powerful 60 vote super-majority in the U.S. Senate if Minnesota Democrat Al Franken is eventually seated in his long-running battle with Republican Norm Coleman. Here is Specter’s full statement:

Statement by Senator Arlen Specter:

I have been a Republican since 1966. I have been working extremely hard for the Party, for its candidates and for the ideals of a Republican Party whose tent is big enough to welcome diverse points of view. While I have been comfortable being a Republican, my Party has not defined who I am. I have taken each issue one at a time and have exercised independent judgment to do what I thought was best for Pennsylvania and the nation.

Since my election in 1980, as part of the Reagan Big Tent, the Republican Party has moved far to the right. Last year, more than 200,000 Republicans in Pennsylvania changed their registration to become Democrats. I now find my political philosophy more in line with Democrats than Republicans.

When I supported the stimulus package, I knew that it would not be popular with the Republican Party. But, I saw the stimulus as necessary to lessen the risk of a far more serious recession than we are now experiencing.

Since then, 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. I have not represented the Republican Party. I have represented the people of Pennsylvania.

I have decided to run for re-election in 2010 in the Democratic primary.

I am ready, willing and anxious to take on all comers and have my candidacy for re-election determined in a general election.

I deeply regret that I will be disappointing many friends and supporters. I can understand their disappointment. I am also disappointed that so many in the Party I have worked for for more than four decades do not want me to be their candidate. It is very painful on both sides. I thank specially Senators McConnell and Cornyn for their forbearance.

I am not making this decision because there are no important and interesting opportunities outside the Senate. I take on this complicated run for re-election because I am deeply concerned about the future of our country and I believe I have a significant contribution to make on many of the key issues of the day, especially medical research. NIH funding has saved or lengthened thousands of lives, including mine, and much more needs to be done. And my seniority is very important to continue to bring important projects vital to Pennsylvania’s economy.

I am taking this action now because there are fewer than thirteen months to the 2010 Pennsylvania Primary and there is much to be done in preparation for that election. Upon request, I will return campaign contributions contributed during this cycle.

While each member of the Senate caucuses with his Party, what each of us hopes to accomplish is distinct from his party affiliation. The American people do not care which Party solves the problems confronting our nation. And no Senator, no matter how loyal he is to his Party, should or would put party loyalty above his duty to the state and nation.

My 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. Unlike Senator Jeffords’ switch which changed party control, I will not be an automatic 60th vote for cloture. For example, my position on Employees Free Choice (Card Check) will not change.

Whatever my party affiliation, I will continue to be guided by President Kennedy’s statement that sometimes Party asks too much. When it does, I will continue my independent voting and follow my conscience on what I think is best for Pennsylvania and America.

[Mythre]

Hmm... interesting... not great news for the Republicans. It sounds like he will be a type of Lieberman, at least according to the letter.

[Mikelus Trento]

"Yes Arlen....let go of the dark side...embrace the force!"

[Gaidin]

I myself am looking forward to the screeching and baying of conservative blogs.

[Каие]

He's the right. The Republican Party is a complete disgrace, however I think it is dishonourable of him to switch parties only to continue his career. He should have ran as an independent like Lieberman did, he's been a Senator for almost 30 years, and highly respected in his constituency. A bad decision.

[IrishHitman]

He's the right. The Republican Party is a complete disgrace, however I think it is dishonourable of him to switch parties only to continue his career. He should have ran as an independent like Lieberman did, he's been a Senator for almost 30 years, and highly respected in his constituency. A bad decision.

Forgot about this bloke then?

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

[Каие]

Forgot about this bloke then?

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

You mean the guy who left the Liberal Party after it abandoned Liberalism and adopted pseudo-Socialism to beat the Labour Party?There two kinds of defectors.

Churchillian or Gladstonian. Ideological differences, and on principle.
Disraelan and Blairite. To stay on the greasy pole and climb it further.

[IrishHitman]

You mean the guy who left the Liberal Party after it abandoned Liberalism and adopted pseudo-Socialism to beat the Labour Party?

Are you saying that it is completely impossible that Churchill was put in a similar position to Mr. Specter?

Sounds pretty similar to me.
Churchill, a right-wing Liberal, switching parties to maintain his career after his party moved in the political spectrum. The move by the Liberals was of massive consequence, and irreversible. Given that context, I think it is a fair statement that Churchill would have been isolated with few supporters within the Liberal party, a situation of grave danger to his political career.

In comparison, Mr. Specter finds himself in a very similar situation.
He is being cut loose due to his support for the left, as Churchill was for his support for the right.

[Каие]

Are you saying that it is completely impossible that Churchill was put in a similar position to Mr. Specter?

Sounds pretty similar to me.
Churchill, a right-wing Liberal, switching parties to maintain his career after his party moved in the political spectrum. The move by the Liberals was of massive consequence, and irreversible. Given that context, I think it is a fair statement that Churchill would have been isolated with few supporters within the Liberal party, a situation of grave danger to his political career.

In comparison, Mr. Specter finds himself in a very similar situation.
He is being cut loose due to his support for the left, as Churchill was for his support for the right.

It wasn't only Churchill who left the Liberal Party, it was torn in half remember? Half the party stayed Liberal, the other half turned Tory or Labour. Only the insignificant middle ground remained.

[Bella]

The folks over at Malkin's website are virtually moaning that Judas Iscariot is reborn.

I love it.

[Arjun]

he seems to have valid reasons to switch sides. Tis better to embrace something you believe in rather than stick with things that are obsolete.

[mrmouth]

he seems to have valid reasons to switch sides

Absolutely valid, and I did the same thing around the millennium. So I can identify perfectly with all of his reasons. Its a party gone way, way off the tracks. And honestly, the people who run it now, make me wanna puke.

Sooner or later Americans will become sick of the Democrats and the Republicans will recover their lost power. You Humans are fickle in that way.

They can get sick of the Democrats all they want, in the end though, people are not going to vote for a party that doesn't fall in line with what they believe. This world, and this country, continue to progress socially, both good and bad. And the GOP will only continue to alienate their base. Let alone independents and Democrats.

they literally have to rebuild, and I dont see how they do that, without looking like liberals.

[Lord Feloric's Ambassador]

They can get sick of the Democrats all they want, in the end though, people are not going to vote for a party that doesn't fall in line with what they believe. This world, and this country, continue to progress socially, both good and bad. And the GOP will only continue to alienate their base. Let alone independents and Democrats.

they literally have to rebuild, and I dont see how they do that, without looking like liberals.

Perhaps you're correct, more unusual things have happened. However, my Lord's main point was a new group will come to power eventually. Considering how close it is to 2012, maybe it will be my Lord who comes to power.

[Visna]

They can get sick of the Democrats all they want, in the end though, people are not going to vote for a party that doesn't fall in line with what they believe. This world, and this country, continue to progress socially, both good and bad. And the GOP will only continue to alienate their base. Let alone independents and Democrats.

they literally have to rebuild, and I dont see how they do that, without looking like liberals.

Good point.

Are there any crown princes or princesses left in the Republican party? Let alone a king? Living across the pond is not particularly helpful when trying to follow US internal politics, but it seems to me like a party that is trying to promote Sarah Palin as someone who could potentially run against Obama in 2012, has, well, lost grip with reality, really.

[Bovril]

I don't think there's anything wrong with switching parties, but it seems a little suspicious to do it so soon after an election. The splits he describes arose before the election. He should have switched then, or run as an independent, rather than piggybacking on the Republic campaign only to switch when he was re-elected. I'm not necessarily saying he was ill intentioned, just raising the possibility.

But whatever, I'm not going to shed a tear for the Republican party.

[Mikelus Trento]

But whatever, I'm not going to shed a tear for the Republican party.

I'm still guffawing at them too much....

Rush Limbaugh gets the head of their party to apologize to him?

Rick "like my hair?" Perry promotes Texas' secession?

McCain picking Palin?

The lily-whiteness of the "tea-parties"?

[Каие]

I'm still guffawing at them too much....

Rush Limbaugh gets the head of their party to apologize to him?

Rick "like my hair?" Perry promotes Texas' secession?

McCain picking Palin?

The lily-whiteness of the "tea-parties"?

indeed, a terrible end to befall the party of Lincoln.

[Mikelus Trento]

indeed, a terrible end to befall the party of Lincoln.

You actually see a resemblance of either political party today compared to 150 years ago? I surely don't.

[Каие]

You actually see a resemblance of either political party today compared to 150 years ago? I surely don't.

I'm merely contemplating how awful a party which once had Lincoln in it has become.

[Gaidin]

I don't think there's anything wrong with switching parties, but it seems a little suspicious to do it so soon after an election. The splits he describes arose before the election. He should have switched then, or run as an independent, rather than piggybacking on the Republic campaign only to switch when he was re-elected. I'm not necessarily saying he was ill intentioned, just raising the possibility.

But whatever, I'm not going to shed a tear for the Republican party.

There's nothing to suspicious about Arlen doing it now given he wasn't elected at the last election. He comes up for reelection in 2010.

To Bella: SARCASM.