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In a completely political move, Sen. Specter (PA) switched his party affiliation from Republican to Democrat so that he could run without opposition in 2010. You see, this past election he narrowly defeated Pat Toomey in the Republican primary, and who he would most certainly lose to in 2010. See, for Sen. Specter, it’s not about what’s best for the country, or his party, but what’s best for his career.
60 Votes
A lot of the media is making a big deal about this transition—much like they did when Jim Jeffords left the Republican party back in 2000—because it means that if Al Franken of Minnesota is able to steal that election there will be 60 democrats in the Senate.
The thing is, this Senator has been voting with the Democrats already, and I don’t expect him to vote that differently—even with a D behind his name. I believe that the only way for the Republicans to come back is if they truly become the party of liberty, and that’s definitely not the way Sen. Specter is headed.
Hey, don’t fret! You still have Palin!!
If Toomey had beaten Specter, he would have been trounced in the general election. It would have been much worse than the defeat that Santorum suffered to Bob Casey. (Toomey is supposed to be far more conservative than Santorum was.) Pennsylvanians like myself are fed up with out of touch politicians. The middle of the road, left leaning candidates will be the winners in the forseeable future.
Musicguys last blog post..Happy Darwin Day!
I was never quite sure what to do with Palin, but I’m pretty sure that what’s happening with her daughter will probably prevent her from running in 2010– though that is a long way away and anything’s possible.
You’re probably right about Toomey– but you missed what I was trying to say. I’m not saying I think that Toomey would win– I’m saying that Specter has always been a fence sitter, and I’d rather have have a choice in an election than have people running under one label and actually be in the other label. I don’t expect Specter to vote any differently (with a caveat, it will now be the Democrat leadership pressing him to vote with the caucus rather than the Republican) now that he has a different letter after his name.
also love the reference to Franken “stealing” the election. It’s amazing how he was able to pay off all those judges to vote in his favor. And the magic was amazing to make ballots appear out of thin air. stunning actually. There weren’t any complaints when the repub was ahead by a lousy 200 votes immediately after the election. If Bush didn’t steal the election in 2000, Franken didn’t now.
Musicguys last blog post..Happy Darwin Day!
Have you actually been following the election in Minnesota, or are you just spouting off whatever you’ve read on left-leaning sources? The fact is that the Minnesota election is worse than Florida. The panel that was supposed to be counting the votes have changed the standards multiple times, they have counted some absentee ballots twice, and they make Florida look like they were following Standard Operating Procedure. They really need a new election there, or at least a recount with the same rules throughout.
In 2000, the Federal Supreme Court overruled Florida’s request to change the rules in the middle of the recount– and that’s the difference.
Spector is a spineless yellow-bellied codfish and an opportunist. He’s been throwing a wrench into the works for years now. He’s been spoiling legislation for both parties in the name of moderation, and end of the day, like Lieberman – he’s head of a party of 1 – the Arlen Spector party.
“He’s been spoiling legislation for both parties in the name of moderation”
And that is exactly why I admire him! He’s one of the few politicians who votes his conscience, not what a party leader tells him to do. Neither party has the right answer 100% of the time. I applaud Specter for realizing this and voting the way he has.
More politicians need to work towards consensus and moderation to solve this country’s ills.
Musicguys last blog post..Happy Darwin Day!
“The panel that was supposed to be counting the votes have changed the standards multiple times, they have counted some absentee ballots twice”
Provide me with some information from somewhere other than a “right-leaning source.”
Musicguys last blog post..Happy Darwin Day!
The whole Specter deal sounds like business-as-usual in Washington. Don’t look out for the people, just look out for your own interests.
Rachels last blog post..Spittin’ Nails.