Specter Turns Coat

arlen-specterThere’s a lot of hoopla being raised over the fact that Senator Arlen Specter (R-PA) has said that he will switch his party affiliation from Republican to Democrat and will run for reelection as a Democrat in the 2010 Senate election. Republicans are angered over Specter’s perceived betrayal and Democrats are crowing over it.

Both of these groups are focused on the fact that Specter’s turning coat could, if and when Al Franken is ever seated, give the Democrats the 60 votes they need to break any Republican filibuster.

Obviously the Democrats are crowing and braying over this. They’re eager to have total and unrestricted – they think – control over the Senate. Equally obviously the Republicans are moaning and gnashing their teeth over the thought of being effectively stripped of much of their voice. Both Parties and their supporters are acting like idiots!

Sen. Specter is not ideologically not aligned on many core issues with the Liberals who have taken control of the Democratic Party.  There is no proof, nor even enough evidence to support their hope, that he would add his vote to the 60 needed to break a filibuster on those issues irrespective of his new Party affiliation.

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.

— Sen. Arlen Specter
Market Watch – April 28, 2009

By the same token Sen. Specter is, and has been for some time, a RINO. There is no proof, nor even enough evidence to support their hope, that he would not add his vote to the 60 needed to break a filibuster on those issues irrespective of his current and soon to be ex- Party affiliation.

Finally, this whole thing is based on the idea that Arlen Specter can and will win the 2010 election and continue to be Senator Specter and therefor of some interest. This is hardly assured by any measure.

Once again there’s a lot of emotion and excitement over what amounts to very little…

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4 Responses to “Specter Turns Coat”

  1. in2thefray Says:

    I’m with you. Although I do believe he’ll need to do a couple of tight rope walks on some votes he’s still ultimately a tool. He speaks against card check which can’t help a D in PA even if there are a number of D’s walking away from that beast.
    I’d be curious if the Dems have promised no D competition in 2010.

  2. jonolan Says:

    From what I gather, there already isn’t much in the way of Democrat competition in PA for 2010 so far.

  3. snaggletoothie Says:

    Since Obama and the Democrats let it be known that they will use the reconciliation process when they fear a filibuster, Spector’s epiphany is less newsworthy.
    The search continues for any American tradition or value they respect.

  4. jonolan Says:

    Who’s still searching for such? I thought everyone had already realized that they despise every single American tradition and value.

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