Speaking of interesting, here's some interesting tidbits from a story in the Washington Post. It's more information than I've seen so far. Specter's announcement, coming on the eve of Obama's 100th day in office, sent shockwaves through political circles. Obama was informed of the decision at 10:30 a.m. today during his daily economic briefing. Minutes later he spoke to Specter by phone, and Specter said he received the president's full blessing to run in the Democratic primary largely uncontested next April. "He said he would support me, come to Pennsylvania to campaign for me," Specter said. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said Specter told him last night that he was likely to make the shift, then called the Democratic leader this morning to confirm that his decision was final. Reid credited Vice President Biden for playing an important behind-the-scenes role in softening Specter's resistance. Biden and Specter are old friends and Senate colleagues, and Biden successfully courted Specter over a period of weeks to support the stimulus bill. Reid also said he and Specter "have had a long dialogue about his place in an evolving Republican Party" and praised his willingness to "work in a bipartisan manner, put people over party, and do what is right for Pennsylvanians and all Americans." Specter will receive his seniority among Democrats as if he had been elected as a Democrat in 1980, when he rode into office on the coattails of Ronald Reagan's conservative revolution. That effectively means Specter will become chairman of a key subcommittee on the Appropriations Committee, probably the one overseeing the departments of Labor and Health and Human Services. Specter also acknowledged that becoming full appropriations committee chairman -- something that could take another six to 10 years -- "is something I'd like to attain." http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/04/28/AR2009042801523.html?hpid=topnews
Repubs hold 2 Senate seats in the following states: AL, GA, ID, KS, KY, ME, MS, OK, TN, TX, UT, and WY. That's 116 EVs in 12 states. They have a Senator in 14 other states. That means there are 24 states where they do not have a Senator. Dems have at least one Senator in 38 states and the states where they have both total 236 EVs. http://www.dailykos.com/
This just shows that Pols are different. Why put yourself through that grind? I'd be kicking back after one term, give a few corporate talks, and enjoy life. It's like their ego keeps them going. (It wouldn't surprise me if Ted Stevens is dead within the year.)
That would be cool. It would certainly destroy the gridlock. How are Spector and Snowe on the silly outdated libertarian anti-government anti-tax spectrum that has held the country back for so long?
Specter- "Hmm, how do I switch to the party in power without losing seniority? I know, I'll switch when the Democrats reaallly want me, like when they are one vote away from a filibuster-proof majority. "
Well they both voted for the stimulus package. As for my thoughts Specter has always seemed like a tool. I like Snowe a lot more.
Sorry to break it to you, but Obama has no intention of rolling back the last 20 years. If he did, he wouldn't have hired a bunch of people friendly to Wall Street.
While I don't admire Specter at all, you have to give the guy credit for being a canny pol. He didn't win that many elections with his perfect hair and good looks. He saw the opportunity to probably win reelection and gain infuence. The GOP "powers that be," such as they are, don't want any so-called moderates in the party... Specter was facing a strong challenge in the primary. A smart party leadership would have given him strong support. He's an incumbent with a heck of a lot of seniority and the GOP is in deep trouble. Yet faced with becoming even more of a regional party, they decided to toss Specter. Looked at from that angle, it shouldn't have been a surprise that he jumped ship before he was shoved overboard. Pretty stupid, I'd say. I've been wondering what Biden was doing behind the scenes. Clearly, as you put it, Joe's doin' work for Obama and the party. I was glad to read that. Don't you love how things are playing out?
Definitely don't want to do that. It's amazing how the GOP is self-destructing, though. I keep thinking that they'll start to get their act together and, so far, it just isn't happening.
