Senator Specter just announced his switch to the Democratic Party. He was facing a tough primary challenge from a conservative and had been hewing to the right to stave it off (as he does everytime his primary comes around). But that was looking pretty hopeless, so now he's decided to leave the Republican party. He insists he will not be Obama's "60th" vote in the Senate. But hopefully he'll at least remember his moderate roots.
Check out TPM's analysis on why he made the switch:
H/T to Lydia for scooping Drudge on this one.
7 comments:
Finally, a Pennyslvanian we can all agree on!
my blogger 'word verification' password is "exted." as in: Arlen Specter has exted from the party of Rush Limbaugh.
I found this in the comments at TPM:
"A random sampling of comments by Republicans by and large are condemning Specter as a RINO, bitterly wishing him 'good riddance'.
Keep purifying your party, Republicans. Pretty soon it will be small enough to drown in a bathtub."
Loves it.
I just read, though, that Specter explicitly said that he still opposes confirming Dawn Johnsen as Office of Legal Counsel Chief. He'll be firmly in the Lieberman-Bayh-Nelson camp of people who caucus with the Dems but still block Obama's agenda.
I'm happy to see the GOP reeling, and agree with Bridget that they are just marginalizing themselves, but I'm bummed that this really won't get us any closer to cloture.
Dave I think you need an outlet for your frustration. I suggest you write a song. It can be an homage to the Indigo Girls titled, "Closer to Cloture."
Actually, if I were smarter (or, smart, for that matter), it might be funny--in a really geeky way--to reimagine the lyrics to Closer to Fine as Closer to Cloture.
Okay, John. First verse:
I'm trying to get this bill a "no" or "yes" / Maybe even get a head of HHS / But the GOP just hits me with delays / And we can't vote 'til we get to 60 "yeas" / Oh when will Franken get the call?
Awesome.
if you emote enough when you sing it, you can easily make Ilsa weep.
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