Senator Arlen Specter (R-PA)

[cubby1223]

Statement by Senator Arlen Specter

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.

This is why he's switching, the moderate Republicans in the state switched over to vote in the Democratic primary, leaving a much more conservative Republican base left. With Specter voting for the stimulus bill, he is pretty much guaranteed to lose the primary election in 2010.


I'm not sure why people here are praising this as the Democrats now having a filibuster proof majority. There already is a filibuster proof majority. They got their stimulus plan voted through no problem. They got their budget voted through no problem.

 

[Lemon law]

As I said, the Coleman Franken dispute will heat up, I doubt the GOP can stall it out much longer, but the Supreme Court may now act sooner to finally shoot down the last of Coleman's chances. Then yielding that 60 40 filibuster proof majority as the GOP will have all their eggs invested in a full court stall.

 

[Craig234]

Originally posted by: Pens1566
Pretty long, multi-volume book-length statement ... lays out whats wrong with the republican party today.

Fixed, if what you say is right.

 

[miketheidiot]

it was a rhetorical question buddy

 

[RyanPaulShaffer]

Originally posted by: cubby1223

Statement by Senator Arlen Specter

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.

This is why he's switching, the moderate Republicans in the state switched over to vote in the Democratic primary, leaving a much more conservative Republican base left. With Specter voting for the stimulus bill, he is pretty much guaranteed to lose the primary election in 2010.


I'm not sure why people here are praising this as the Democrats now having a filibuster proof majority. There already is a filibuster proof majority. They got their stimulus plan voted through no problem. They got their budget voted through no problem.

Excellent post. The liberals in the thread are all too gleeful to shout "THE GOP IS DONE!", while of course, not understanding the basic facts.

Fact #1: The Dems already had the 60 votes they needed. Spector and the RINOs from Maine already gave them enough votes that they needed.

Fact #2: Spector jumped shipped because he realized he was going to get absolutely shellacked in the Republican primary. His approval rating is in the 30s. Great job representing "your people" there Spector. :thumbsup:

 

[NaughtyGeek]

Originally posted by: miketheidiot
he was pretty much the only moderate left in the republican party.

This.

I hope this doesn't change his voting patterns as he's the only representative I haven't regretted voting for to this point.

 

[Craig234]

Originally posted by: Carmen813

Originally posted by: Craig234

Originally posted by: loki8481
this means the D's have a filibuster proof majority.

They will in 2011 when Coleman loses.

Didn't Coleman lose in 2008?

Yes, but I mean when his legal actions end that are keeping Franken out of the seat. My post was tongue in cheek about how long it's taking to get Franken seated.

Which even more reveals Coleman as the worm he is when contrasted to his earlier statement when he thought he was ahead that Franken should not draw out the process, because he wouldn't if the roles were reversed. It's not about his winning any more, just the GOP party funding his legal efforts because it keeps Democrats with only 58 votes.

 

[MikeyLSU]

From the beginning I really haven't minded the dems having complete control. This way, everything is on them. When something doesn't work or get better, it is 100% their fault since repubs have no control to do anything.

I hope things do get better, but with that lot in control I seriously doubt it.

 

[ProfJohn]

Let's back up a few years to the mid-90s when multiple Democrats switched parties.

That was obviously a sign that the Democrat Party was on its way to permanent minority status.

Right now the country is swinging to the left (after 20+ years of going to the right) If anything him switching parties may accelerate the end of the leftward swing and hasten a return to swinging back to the right.

And here is why:
Republicans controlled the White House for 12 years in the 80s, but Democrats controlled congress and kept the White House in check.

Then in the 90s Clinton controlled the White House, with a Republican congress. This again kept both parties in check so to speak.

Then Bush comes along and with a Republican congress self destructs and 6 years later the Democrats take over congress.

Now we have Obama with a Democrat congress. It is just a matter of time before they lurch too far to the left for most Americans and we see 'balance' restored.

Look at our history for the past 50 years. Any time one party controls both the White House and Congress it is only a matter of time before they screw up and lose that hold.

 

[Pens1566]

If I were a republican, I'd be less concerned with what democrats think of this and more worried about the 200k voters in PA that have jumped ship in the last year or so. Something tells me thats a bigger problem than you want to admit.

 

[Harvey]

It had to happen. :thumbsup:

I know real, thinking, fiscally conservative human beings who are horrified by ass clowns like Limbaugh and Michelle Bachman and the Faux Noise machine speaking for the Republican brand name. Others are equally horrified by the ethically and morally challenged "brand name" Republicans who attempt to defend indefensible, inhuman acts of torture committed by their thankfully EX-Traitor In Chief and his criminal gang.

Their only alternative is to walk away from it as fast and as far as possible if for no other reason than to maintain their own credibility and to be able to live with themselves.

My only question is, what took them so long?

 

[RyanPaulShaffer]

Originally posted by: MikeyLSU
From the beginning I really haven't minded the dems having complete control. This way, everything is on them. When something doesn't work or get better, it is 100% their fault since repubs have no control to do anything.

I hope things do get better, but with that lot in control I seriously doubt it.

Exactly. The Dems can only blame Bush for so long. This is their show now, and really has been since they had the majority in the House and Senate since 2006. When things are worse in 2011, what are they going to do? Keep blaming Bush? Sorry, you can only play that card for so long.

 

[MovingTarget]

Republican Party, meet Cliff.
Run Republican Party, Run!

 

[MikeyLSU]

Originally posted by: Harvey
It had to happen. :thumbsup:

I know real, thinking, fiscally conservative human beings who are horrified by ass clowns like Limbaugh and Michelle Bachman and the Faux Noise machine speaking for the Republican brand name. Others are equally horrified by the ethically and morally challenged "brand name" Republicans who attempt to defend indefensible, inhuman acts of torture committed by their thankfully EX-Traitor In Chief and his criminal gang.

Their only alternative is to walk away from it as fast and as far as possible if for no other reason than to maintain their own credibility and to be able to live with themselves.

My only question is, what took them so long?

you don't really believe he switched parties because of personal beliefs do you? He switched because he had very little shot of winning the primary in 2010, this is is last hope at keeping power.

Politicians will do anything to keep power, that our countries biggest flaw, no term limits so we have career politicians that will do anything to keep that power.

 

[Craig234]

Originally posted by: cubby1223

Statement by Senator Arlen Specter

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.

This is why he's switching, the moderate Republicans in the state switched over to vote in the Democratic primary, leaving a much more conservative Republican base left. With Specter voting for the stimulus bill, he is pretty much guaranteed to lose the primary election in 2010.


I'm not sure why people here are praising this as the Democrats now having a filibuster proof majority. There already is a filibuster proof majority. They got their stimulus plan voted through no problem. They got their budget voted through no problem.

The real reason is to keep his seat, because he faced near-certain defeat in thr primary.

The reference to the Pennsylvanians who changed parties is 'spin', 'cover'.

While I think this is a strong theory without more evidence, there is evidence, because he first tried in recent months to move to the right and see if he could get his Republican numbers better and win the primary, but it didn't work. He wouldn't have done that if he were simply 'following the people to the Democrats'.

 

[quest55720]

I am happy he is switched. The minute he voted for Porkulus is the minute he was no longer a republican. It is time to rid the party of all those who are not fiscally conservative. Anyone who votes for trillions in spending for pet projects is no fiscal conservative. I hope others who voted for porkulus follow his lead and leave the party.

 

[Pens1566]

Originally posted by: RyanPaulShaffer

Originally posted by: MikeyLSU
From the beginning I really haven't minded the dems having complete control. This way, everything is on them. When something doesn't work or get better, it is 100% their fault since repubs have no control to do anything.

I hope things do get better, but with that lot in control I seriously doubt it.

Exactly. The Dems can only blame Bush for so long. This is their show now, and really has been since they had the majority in the House and Senate since 2006. When things are worse in 2011, what are they going to do? Keep blaming Bush? Sorry, you can only play that card for so long.

Not until Iraq/Afghanistan/Economy are no longer issues. Those are all part of the Albatross left from the last administration.

 

[SP33Demon]

Repub party is a dying breed, and Specter is smart enough to realize that. RIP Republicans.

 

[RyanPaulShaffer]

Originally posted by: Harvey
It had to happen. :thumbsup:

I know real, thinking, fiscally conservative human beings who are horrified by ass clowns like Limbaugh and Michelle Bachman and the Faux Noise machine speaking for the Republican brand name. Others are equally horrified by the ethically and morally challenged "brand name" Republicans who attempt to defend indefensible, inhuman acts of torture committed by their thankfully EX-Traitor In Chief and his criminal gang.

Their only alternative is to walk away from it as fast and as far as possible if for no other reason than to maintain their own credibility and to be able to live with themselves.

My only question is, what took them so long?

My only question is, who will you blame in a few years when things get worse? Bush is gone and has been for 100 days. The Dems have controlled the House and Senate since 2006.

Things are going to get much worse the next few years, but unfortunately, people need to learn the truth the hard way.

 

[Pens1566]

Originally posted by: quest55720
I am happy he is switched. The minute he voted for Porkulus is the minute he was no longer a republican. It is time to rid the party of all those who are not fiscally conservative. Anyone who votes for trillions in spending for pet projects is no fiscal conservative. I hope others who voted for porkulus follow his lead and leave the party.

Are you willing to apply that same litmus test to votes other than the recent stimulus pkg? Perhaps some of the more questionable ones put forth by the bush admin. perhaps?

 

[nageov3t]

Originally posted by: SP33Demon
Repub party is a dying breed, and Specter is smart enough to realize that. RIP Republicans.

am I the only one in this thread who was alive in the 90's and early 00's when calling someone a liberal or democrat was like throwing out the N-word?

 

[RyanPaulShaffer]

Originally posted by: Pens1566

Originally posted by: RyanPaulShaffer

Originally posted by: MikeyLSU
From the beginning I really haven't minded the dems having complete control. This way, everything is on them. When something doesn't work or get better, it is 100% their fault since repubs have no control to do anything.

I hope things do get better, but with that lot in control I seriously doubt it.

Exactly. The Dems can only blame Bush for so long. This is their show now, and really has been since they had the majority in the House and Senate since 2006. When things are worse in 2011, what are they going to do? Keep blaming Bush? Sorry, you can only play that card for so long.

Not until Iraq/Afghanistan/Economy are no longer issues. Those are all part of the Albatross left from the last administration.

Ah...so you can blame Bush for the rest of infinity with that circular logic. If the economy still sucks in 2020, I can see the headlines on CNN and MSNBC (if they still exist then since they have like five viewers amongst them currently):

"IT IS BUSH'S FAULT NEVERMIND THAT HE HASN'T BEEN IN OFFICE FOR TWELVE YEARS AND THE DEMS HAVE CONTROLLED CONGRESS SINCE 2006!"

:roll:

 

[ProfJohn]

Originally posted by: loki8481

Originally posted by: SP33Demon
Repub party is a dying breed, and Specter is smart enough to realize that. RIP Republicans.

am I the only one in this thread who was alive in the 90's and early 00's when calling someone a liberal or democrat was like throwing out the N-word?

You, me and a few others.

Again, the more power you give one party the quicker they will use that power to self-destruct.

 

[Pens1566]

Originally posted by: RyanPaulShaffer

Originally posted by: Pens1566

Originally posted by: RyanPaulShaffer

Originally posted by: MikeyLSU
From the beginning I really haven't minded the dems having complete control. This way, everything is on them. When something doesn't work or get better, it is 100% their fault since repubs have no control to do anything.

I hope things do get better, but with that lot in control I seriously doubt it.

Exactly. The Dems can only blame Bush for so long. This is their show now, and really has been since they had the majority in the House and Senate since 2006. When things are worse in 2011, what are they going to do? Keep blaming Bush? Sorry, you can only play that card for so long.

Not until Iraq/Afghanistan/Economy are no longer issues. Those are all part of the Albatross left from the last administration.

Ah...so you can blame Bush for the rest of infinity with that circular logic. If the economy still sucks in 2020, I can see the headlines on CNN and MSNBC (if they still exist then since they have like five viewers amongst them currently):

"IT IS BUSH'S FAULT NEVERMIND THAT HE HASN'T BEEN IN OFFICE FOR TWELVE YEARS AND THE DEMS HAVE CONTROLLED CONGRESS SINCE 2006!"

:roll:

Three giant problems all with causes based on choices made by the previous administration. Of course its BHO's fault that he can't fix them all in 100 days.

 

[RyanPaulShaffer]

Originally posted by: Pens1566

Originally posted by: RyanPaulShaffer

Originally posted by: Pens1566

Originally posted by: RyanPaulShaffer

Originally posted by: MikeyLSU
From the beginning I really haven't minded the dems having complete control. This way, everything is on them. When something doesn't work or get better, it is 100% their fault since repubs have no control to do anything.

I hope things do get better, but with that lot in control I seriously doubt it.

Exactly. The Dems can only blame Bush for so long. This is their show now, and really has been since they had the majority in the House and Senate since 2006. When things are worse in 2011, what are they going to do? Keep blaming Bush? Sorry, you can only play that card for so long.

Not until Iraq/Afghanistan/Economy are no longer issues. Those are all part of the Albatross left from the last administration.

Ah...so you can blame Bush for the rest of infinity with that circular logic. If the economy still sucks in 2020, I can see the headlines on CNN and MSNBC (if they still exist then since they have like five viewers amongst them currently):

"IT IS BUSH'S FAULT NEVERMIND THAT HE HASN'T BEEN IN OFFICE FOR TWELVE YEARS AND THE DEMS HAVE CONTROLLED CONGRESS SINCE 2006!"

:roll:

Three giant problems all with causes based on choices made by the previous administration. Of course its BHO's fault that he can't fix them all in 7 years.

Just edited your post to reflect the excuses that will still be uttered in 2015 when things keep getting worse and worse.