Specter Intends to Switch Political Parties »
Posted By RedRiverJ 6 months, 3 weeks ago in NewsSenator Arlen Spector intends to switch political parties.
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RedRiverJ6 months, 3 weeks ago
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RedRiverJ6 months, 3 weeks ago
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FTA-Specter was under heavy fire from conservatives for his support of President Obama's $787 stimulus bill earlier this year. Specter helped negotiate a compromise that was approved by Congress with the support of only three Senate Republicans.
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NO kidding Arlen, what did you expect? -
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Beau78906 months, 3 weeks ago
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Agreed, RedRiverJ. Sens. Collins and Snowe should also leave the Republican party, which has clearly become more interested in gaining power than in trying to help the country.
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Their bullying tactics against anyone who dares to think for himself are not helping their cause, but they don't seem to care that their out-of-the-mainstream ideas are losing them support, and quickly. Apparently, they're not familiar with the phrase, "cutting off your nose to spite your face."
Here's Specter's full statement on his decision to leave the Republican party:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/28/us/politics/28ca...
From that statement:
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. -
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GLee6 months, 3 weeks ago
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Hate to lose a 'number'. Don't hate to lose Spector. He needs to be with his own kind of 'people'.
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In the United States, conservatives are generally characterized by adherence to limited government, public morality and free enterprise. Specifically, conservatives tend to support these policies with very small veriations if any at all:
Return of prayer in school
Prohibition of abortion
Opposition to same-sex marriage licenses and homosexuals
Support of laws against pornography
Support of the Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms
Economic allocative efficiency (as opposed to popular equity)
Stronger law enforcement and anti-crime laws, including the death penalty
Parental control of education
Private medical care and retirement plans
Weakening or canceling failed social support programs
Generally opposed to the United Nations
Support enforcement of current laws regarding immigration
Support tightening of border security
Respect for our military... past and present
Literal interpretation of the Bible
Low taxes, especially for families
Opening foreign markets to U.S. products
Less power for the federal government and more for local and state governments
A strong national defense !!
Every so often a conservative has been elected president of the United States. All presidents combine some liberal and some conservative elements, as well as some policies that do not fit into categories.
Thank GOD for conservatives. The glue that holds this country together right down to the core values. -
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slate6 months, 3 weeks ago
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crespi6 months, 3 weeks ago
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mesodude6 months, 3 weeks ago
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"Another RINO turncoat that has mostly been more Dem than Rep in his views on policy. Adioski"
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--Awww...Now, slate...what's wrong with turncoats? Cons just supported one as your Presidential candidate (after rejecting him for Bush in 2000 and plotting to string him up in '07 over immigration reform) and are you gonna tell us that if Joe Lieberman stopped pretending he's a Democrat and joined the GOP, cons wouldn't give him the Sarah Palin reception?
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nostalgia6 months, 3 weeks ago
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All you have to do is follow what is going on with Specter's re-election campaign to understand why he switched parties
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April 24th, 2009
Toomey Crushing Specter by 21 in New Poll
Fifty-one percent (51%) of Republican voters statewide say they’d vote for Toomey while just 30% would support Specter.
Specter is viewed favorably by 42% of Pennsylvania Republicans and unfavorably by 55%.
http://newledger.com/2009/04/toomey-crushing-spect...
He knew he would lose in the Republican primary-
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nostalgia6 months, 3 weeks ago
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The hand writing has been on the wall for months
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February 28, 2009:
Specter could be 'toast' in 2010 election, pollster says
A new statewide poll shows 53 percent of Pennsylvanians -- and 66 percent of Republicans -- want someone to replace Sen. Arlen Specter.
Asked whether they think Specter, a Philadelphia Republican, has done his job well enough to win re-election or whether they'd prefer a "new person" in that job, registered voters by a 53-38 percent margin said it's time to give someone else a chance, according to the poll by Susquehanna Polling and Research. Eight percent were undecided.
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/new... -
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chevydog6 months, 3 weeks ago
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Yeah, he knew he would lose the primary. It was too close for comfort last time. The thing is though, that Toomey doesn't stand the proverbial snowball's chance in the general, whether against Specter or any long-term Dem that might beat him in the primary. So it does offer a look into how the Party values homogeniety as opposed to , say, thinking.
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One has to wonder about the role that age played -- or maybe should have played- in this. Arlen's not in the best of health, and he'll be 80 when the election rolls around. I suppose he could have retired gracefully; I'd hazard a guess that that still may happen. Either way, it won't translate into a Repub seat in PA. The state is pretty conservative; but not under the rules that current Repubs seem to like. I know there are probably a number of Repubs out there who sill say good riddance. That's true only if one enjoys cutting one's own throat. He was the most reliable conservative vote (small c) that one is likely to get from there.
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buckncindykill6 months, 3 weeks ago
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The fewer "liberal republicans" in the party, the better off it will be.
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Watch how the MSM, and moronic libs here on propeller will spin this story. That only the Republicans have themsleves to blame. That "Moderates" are fleeing the party in droves.
The only problem here is, that Specter is a yellow bellied liberal. Always has been and of course, always will be. Not to mention his uphill primary fight next year. If he stayed (R), he would get his butt kicked.
Now of course, he'll get his butt kicked; only now with a (D) next to his name.-
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libsRfunnyComment removed: Hard Banned
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Wolfie20076 months, 3 weeks ago
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Finally, what took him so long? Didn't he say just a few weeks ago that he wouldn't leave the republican party. The one and only reason he's switching is to try to be re-elected as a democrat since he's sure to be beaten by his republican primary opponent. I hope he uses all his campaign dollars in the primary and gets beaten in that one, too.
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hefaa1Comment removed: Hard Banned
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UnusualSuspect6 months, 3 weeks ago
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Gee, DaneL...
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I think you're going to be saying "good riddance" to other Republicans in the coming years if the party doesn't understand that the majority of people aren't all that conservative anymore and want more accountability in their leaders.
More than 200,000 Republicans changed to Democrats in PA, in 2008...and that's just PA...
Think of the other states where that's happening, as well...
The talk of the Republicans becoming a regional party is becoming an actuality...
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AndyJ2156 months, 3 weeks ago
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I must have been difficult for Senator Specter to remain in THE TORTURE-APPROVING PARTY, as it should be for anyone with a conscience!!!
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THE GOP IS THE PARTY THAT CLAIMS TO HAVE CHRISTIAN "FAMILY VALUES," but promoted the TORTURE OF PRISONERS, in violation of international law, according to THE INTERNATIONAL RED CROSS.
There are many sources for that fact. Here’s one:
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/03/16/terror/m...
And still, they try to deny that it happened or otherwise “cover” for it.
(The GOP is also the party of the ORIGINAL BANKING BAILOUT signed by Bush, and the party of sex offenders Larry Craig and Mark Foley, graft expert Ted Stevens, convicted dirty trickster and burglar G. Gordon Liddy, lobbyist and GOP bribery expert Jack Abramoff, etc., etc.)
REPUBLICANS: THE PARTY OF FAMILY VALUES, BANKER BAILOUTS, CONVICTED FELONS, COVER-UPS AND TORTURE!
*** All or any part of this comment
*** may be copied, re-posted, etc.
*** No copyright is claimed on it. -
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beavith16 months, 3 weeks ago
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wow. i'm shocked. not.
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it really rather shows him as a coward. when you look at what his party did to him, Lieberman had the courage to run as an independent and crushed his party sponsored opponent and the republican.
good leaders transcend politics. Spectre is no leader.
maybe we can trade a Lieberman for a Spectre. it'd be an upgrade for the republicans. or better yet, leave Lieberman as the republican representative in the democratic caucus. frankly, he has nothing to lose and everything to gain if he uses his new leverage to drive the democrats to the right.
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Beau78906 months, 3 weeks ago
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good leaders transcend politics.
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That's correct. I've posted a link to Specter's full statement in a comment near the top of the story. He agrees that good leaders transcend politics, and that's why he's leaving the Republican party. -
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Ratskii6 months, 3 weeks ago
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Did you take a look at the election stats, beavith1. The only reason Lieberman won was because the republicans abandoned their nominated candidate and voted for Lieberman in droves. Yet he is still in opposition to the republicans on many issues.
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bushiesRbonkers6 months, 3 weeks ago
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Probably not a great thing for progressive Democrats. Specter would have lost to Toomey who would have lost to the Democratic candidate. Specter will be more of a Blue Dog Democrat than we might otherwise have seen from Pennsylvania.
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BB646 months, 3 weeks ago
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You're assuming he actually will win the election. He's done. The GOP doesn't have a lot of areas at risk. The advantage of not being in control of anything. We will poor in whatever it takes for his opponent to win. However that does not include the release of sealed court records, permitting the dead to vote or other DNC dirty tricks.
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FairNBalanced6 months, 3 weeks ago
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http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2009/04/28/...
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Make up your mind, please.. -
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reallypsst6 months, 3 weeks ago
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The weasel is looking for a new hen house to raid,it would be nice to have all these lying thieves lined up together, so we can drag their azzes threw the streets while they are beat with bamboo canes,politicians the scum of the earth!
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most_reasonable6 months, 3 weeks ago
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"it would be nice to have all these lying thieves lined up together, so we can drag their azzes threw the streets while they are beat with bamboo canes,politicians the scum of the earth!"
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I guess you missed the results of the last election tally.
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pc256 months, 3 weeks ago
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http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/04/15/pa-s...
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Pa. Senate Primary Rematch Set for G.O.P.
By Kate Phillips
While Minnesota continues to deal with last year’s Senate election, Pennsylvania is already gearing up for next year’s.
As expected, Pat Toomey, the former head of Club for Growth, an anti-tax group, announced this morning on his new campaign Web site that he would again challenge incumbent Arlen Specter for the Republican nomination. Mr. Specter fought off a fierce challenge from Mr. Toomey, a former congressman, in 2004.
Earlier this week, Mr. Specter received the public support of the chairman of the National Republican Sentatorial Committee, John Cornyn of Texas. In a letter released yesterday, Senator Cornyn urged fellow Republicans to back Mr. Specter, citing the tough climate Republicans face as they head in to the midterm election cycle.
his polling numbers were in sharp decline after voting for the stimulus......... -
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most_reasonable6 months, 3 weeks ago
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Ronald Reagan a dead Alzheimers suffer. The new intelligentsia of the GOP.
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For those who recall, Reagan was the first resident of the Whitehouse who coined the term "NUK-U-LAR". I remember the buzz about if you can't spell it you don't have the right to wave it round. -
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Ratskii6 months, 3 weeks ago
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Well, I've been taking potshots at some of our conservative opponents. I suppose it is only fair to give them a show at taking a few back.
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While there are a few good points in GLee's list near the top, but I suspect that if the republican party offers his vision of as their platform over the next few years, they will guarantee themselves the position of minority party. Politicians make switches in both directions.
I respect Lieberman for going independent rather than republican. While I had strong disagreements with him over some of his stands, I notice that a lot of his votes went directly against GLee's list. I suspect that republicans, in their support for him, weren't really that familiar with his voting record.
Both parties need to beware of attacking their own. -
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