BREAKING NEWS on MSNBC updated 5 minutes ago WASHINGTON - Veteran Republican Sen. Arlen Specter is in talks to switch parties, sources told The Associated Press on Tuesday. Separately, the Washington Post reported that Specter will switch parties. The move would give Democrats a filibuster-proof 60 seats if Al Franken is seated in the Minnesota. link: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30456741/?from=ET
Statement by Senator Arlen Specter (Editor's Note: This statement was released by the office of Senator Arlen Specter on April 28, 2009.) 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. http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/news/2009/04/statement_by_senator_arlen_specter.php
Note to Mr. Specter: Pennsylvania is tired of you, because you are a corrupt, self-promoting windbag, and not because you are a Republican. You would have been crushed in the primary as a Republican. If you're not crushed in the Primary as a Democrat, you will be crushed in the general. Idiot.
it is a WOW but I don't trust it They trying to infiltrate and destroy like they did Perot's Reform party Rocket River
i have never been a huge fan of his. notably because he talks a great game and wusses out at the end. every single damn time. but there is no way a republican beats him in the general unless something drastic happens. republicans cannot articulate an articulate criticism of obama if their lives depend on it. and their political lives do depend on it. every single legit critique of obama is coming from the left. republicans are dead. for a while. obama's administration may not do everything people want/expect, but they damn sure won't be incompetent. and given our current crises, people will be willing to give them the benefit. 2010 election is a referendum on obama, even in pennsylvania.
Wrong. He polls great in the general. It's the GOP nutbase that he has trouble with. Of course, he doesn't need them if he doesn't need to run in the GOP primary. This was the only move he could make.
The real reason for changing parties. He is trying to improve his chances of being re-elected. I for one am glad to see you go.
All you need to know about why he is changing parties is right here: [rquoter]Arlen Spector: "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. "[/rquoter] He is pulling a Norm Coleman in that he realizes the bigger threat is within the party he is currently in and jumping ship to the other party. What I am wondering about is who were the Democrats lining up to run against him, that guy has to be feeling pretty bitter at this moment. Also given Specter's seniority what big Democrat does he displace to get a chairmanship?
Could someone lay out the basic mechanics of this for someone only somewhat familiar with the US electoral system? Is Spector now obliged to vote with the Democrats, either formally or informally? If so then this could be a great thing indeed. Obama has been extremely successful with pretty well all his initiatives so far, and with the public support he’s built up from that, and now this move that seemingly gives him the magic 60 in the senate, he could have the power to really get some things done.
Is there any informal obligation, though? If he expects to get the endorsement and support of the Democrats, then surely he needs to promise them certain things, doesn’t he? How does this work on that level? I would think that certain agreements would have to be made, but I don’t know how that works in US politics.
