Arlen Spector switches parties

[Derwin0]

http://www.politico.com/blogs/glennthrush/0409/Specters_statement.html

This sets up a Spector/Toomey rematch in the general election instead of primary next year.

[msmith198025]

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/thefix/senate/specter-to-switch-parties.html



Specter's decision would give Democrats a 60 seat filibuster proof majority in the Senate assuming Democrat Al Franken is eventually sworn in as the next senator from Minnesota.

[fallout2600]

True one party rule on the way.

[Madtown HD Junkie]

What a POS. Spineless worm.

[vurbano]

any republican whose views are to print up money and spend it on social programs doesnt belong in the party.

[fallout2600]

any republican whose views are to print up money and spend it on social programs doesnt belong in the party.

:thumbup:

[msmith198025]

Statement by Specter on March 16, 2009


[Democrats] are trying very hard for the 60th vote. Got to give them credit for trying. But the answer is no.

I'm not going to discuss private talks I had with other people who may or may not be considered influential. But since those three people are in the public domain, I think it is appropriative to respond to those questions.

I am staying a Republican because I think I have an important role, a more important role, to play there. The United States very desperately needs a two-party system. That's the basis of politics in America. I'm afraid we are becoming a one-party system, with Republicans becoming just a regional party with so little representation of the northeast or in the middle atlantic. I think as a governmental matter, it is very important to have a check and balance. That's a very important principle in the operation of our government. In the constitution on Separation of powers.

[iceturkee]

any republican whose views are to print up money and spend it on social programs doesnt belong in the party.

yeah, i can understand.....why would he want to be in a party now dominated by rush and w wannabes. maybe, some day, the real republican party will return. not the one filled with ultra conservatists!

[Skyhi]

True one party rule on the way.

I don't think so. I just wonder what the second party will be...I have my doubts on whether it will be the GOP. That party has been hi-jacked by a bunch of mental-midgets and kooks. Hopefully reasonable people who disagree with the Dems will form a new party so we have a balance. I sure wouldn't want to be associated with the loud clowns who are marginalizing the GOP.

[Derwin0]

The only reason he switched, is it was beginning to look like Pat Toomey was going to beat him in the primary (he barely beat Toomey last time).

Be ironic if a strong democrat beat him in that primary though. If I was Joe Hoeffel looking for a rematch, I'd blast him for being an opportunist and lifelong Republican during the primary.

[fallout2600]

I don't think so. I just wonder what the second party will be...I have my doubts on whether it will be the GOP. That party has been hi-jacked by a bunch of mental-midgets and kooks. Hopefully reasonable people who disagree with the Dems will form a new party so we have a balance. I sure wouldn't want to be associated with the loud clowns who are marginalizing the GOP.

I was referring to the fact that all bills are now filibuster proof.

You raise a good point though, the GOP has been marginalized for now. I think the real debate that is going to re-establish an opposition will be the amnesty debate.

[Bob Haller]

I live nin PA his previous big issue was cheating in thew NFL.

he really should retire gracefully. I agreed with his pro obama budget but its time he retire

[vurbano]

Buy your guns and ammo quick.

[HD MM]

Specter has always been a middle of the road "Republican". As the R's move further and further right, this only makes sense....


Since my election in 1980, as part of the Reagan Big Tent, the Republican Party has moved far to the right. I now find my political philosophy more in line with Democrats than Republicans.

Chalk this down as the first time I agreed with a Yinzer.

[HDRoberts]

Specter has always been a middle of the road "Republican". As the R's move further and further right, this only makes sense...

Agreed.

[iceturkee]

Agreed.

totally agree.

[vurbano]

Specter has always been a middle of the road "Republican". As the R's move further and further right, this only makes sense....


Chalk this down as the first time I agreed with a Yinzer.The party hasnt moved to the right. That's the problem. A ctrue onservative party would never have spent as much money as it dod under Bush.

[vurbano]

totally agree.
totally wrong as usual. The party has not moved to the right but it needs to. Spectors move is to save his reelection in PA.

[HD MM]

totally wrong as usual. The party has not moved to the right but it needs to. Spectors move is to save his reelection in PA.

You mean a politician is willing to adapt and support the ideas of what the majority of middle America agree with instead of staying an old coot who's stuck in his stubborn, out-of-touch ways of the Right? Bravo Mr. Spector, bravo!

[cybok0]

I always voted for Spector, I didn't care what party he was with. I'm just surprised he's still going with politics, he had cancer twice, must take a lot out of him.

[cybok0]

Chalk this down as the first time I agreed with a Yinzer.

Pssst...he's out of Philly.

[iceturkee]

totally wrong as usual. The party has not moved to the right but it needs to. Spectors move is to save his reelection in PA.


i don't know where you are getting your info but the republican party can't get any further right than it already is. we all know limbaugh is the self acclaimed head of the party and that man is so right....well!

its obvious our viewpoints are different. that's fine.

[vurbano]

It really doesnt matter. Spector was going to be defeated/trounced in the republican primary anyway.

[vurbano]

i don't know where you are getting your info but the republican party can't get any further right than it already is. we all know limbaugh is the self acclaimed head of the party and that man is so right....well!

its obvious our viewpoints are different. that's fine.
where you get your information is what the real question is. CNN and MSNBC no doubt. Rush is hardly the leader of the party.:augentreher:

[Bob Haller]

republicans have no leader and now they know they have a big problem.

assume al franken wins and obama does well...........

the republican party might as well turn belly up, they will be dead for a generation.

bush took them down the tubes, and party leadership fail;ed miserably

[Derwin0]

It really doesnt matter. Spector was going to be defeated/trounced in the republican primary anyway.

Exactly, anyone in PA will tell you that was going to happen. Spector barely beat Toomey last time. This time Toomey was leading in the polls, so Spector jumped to the Democrat primary to save his ass.

[Derwin0]

republicans have no leader and now they know they have a big problem.

assume al franken wins and obama does well...........

the republican party might as well turn belly up, they will be dead for a generation.

Same thing was said in '92 when the Democrats took over both branches, and again in 2000 when the Republicans did the same thing.
Politics are cyclic, the party in power today isn't likely the party in power tomorrow.

Usually because the party in power will get the blame for anything bad that happens, even if it isn't it's fault.

[iceturkee]

where you get your information is what the real question is. CNN and MSNBC no doubt. Rush is hardly the leader of the party.:augentreher:


actually neither source, its called the associated press. as a retired reporter, i know it well. i don't watch cnn or msnbc. and i wouldn't be caught dead watching fox.

so if you actually read ap (i know it requires a skill), you would have noticed that many believe limbaugh to be the titular head of the party.

[Bear Paws]

i don't know where you are getting your info but the republican party can't get any further right than it already is. we all know limbaugh is the self acclaimed head of the party and that man is so right....well!

its obvious our viewpoints are different. that's fine. This is the problem. Specter went so far left he out distanced the Republicans to the left.

Communists....Progressives...Liberals.....Democrat ...Rockefeller Republicans...neoConservatives.......Cent/rist.....Conservatives.......................Liber tarians............................... Founding Fathers

[Bob Haller]

wonder why limbaugh doesnt run for something like president?

probably has a closet over filled with skeltons, so many would fall out he would trip and be back on pills

[froggigger]

wonder why limbaugh doesnt run for something like president?

probably has a closet over filled with skeltons, so many would fall out he would trip and be back on pills

Rush answered that question. He doesn't want to take a pay cut.

[iceturkee]

This is the problem. Specter went so far left he out distanced the Republicans to the left.

Communists....Progressives...Liberals.....Democrat ...Rockefeller Republicans...neoConservatives.......Cent/rist.....Conservatives.......................Liber tarians............................... Founding Fathers



a bear sighting? :Shh:

[Bear Paws]

a bear sighting? :Shh:
He even left you a massage :)
http://www.sonicbabble.com/forums/showpost.php?p=9104&postcount=14