In a stunning (though not completely unexpected) move, Pennsylvania Senator Arlen Specter has switched parties. The 79-year old former Republican had been courted before. And had even flirted with the idea of becoming an Independent (sort of the Republicans’ Joe Lieberman). But as late as March Spector told reporters that he had intended to run in the 2010 Pennsylvania Senatorial primary as a Republican. The senator, who would be considered a moderate among Republicans has been at odds frequently with his party as it has been drawn further and further to the right.
A liberal on such issues as abortion and the environment, he had been under increasing fire from his own party and would likely be challenged in the Pennsylvania Senatorial primary next year. "I have decided to run for re-election in 2010 in the Democratic primary," he said in a statement early this afternoon. Saying that he felt his politics were more in line with the Democrats at this point, Specter assured voters and the public that he would likely remain as independent as a Democrat, as he had been as a Republican. "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," he said.
Spector has served in the Senate since 1980, and was selected as one of Time Magazine’s top senators in 2006. His party switch would give the Democrats a filibuster-proof majority in the Senate, should Minnesota Democrat Al Franken be seated.
Article comments
1 - Dave Nalle
I think this is basically a disaster for the GOP. As a Republican Specter was at least under some pressure from the party and his constituents to vote on the right side of some issues. As a Democrat he'll be under pressure to vote more to the left. When Franken gets seated this means the GOP has no voice in either house of Congress. That's not a good thing.
Dave
2 - Baronius
I'm recalling all the times that Specter claimed to be a good Republican. He hated the PA conservatives for questioning his loyalty to the party. Guess who was right? And Dave, remember this when you talk about how unreliable the religious right is.
3 - Jen
Hi Barbara, I was waiting for your House report and it appears the website has changed the format. But, I like current events especially in Politics so it all works out! I cannot believe the episode from last nite! I'll check back later for your take on our blue eyed hero!
4 - barbara barnett
Specter has been very outside the Repub norm for a very long time. He tried very hard to "toe the line" and ultimately his political fortunes would have turned south during the 2010 primary. He really had no choice.
Jen--article will be up probably very late tonight or early tomorrow morning. Glad you stopped by.
5 - Baronius
He has the choice of accepting the will of his party and stepping down after three decades of service. For that matter, he could follow the lead of Phil Gramm and resign his seat, switch parties, and run again. He could also follow Joe Lieberman, and run as an independent. Or he could creepily attempt to hang on to power by turning his back on his party.
6 - Dave Nalle
The republican norm may be changing. It's likely not changing in Specter's direction, but I don't think Toomey offers much better compatibility for the future.
Dave
7 - Cannonshop
I think it's not stunning-it's "Finally". As in "Finally, his Party Affiliation and his Politics Match!"
8 - Baronius
Dave, I don't know what you've got against Toomey. He's one of those Club For Growth brains, who favor tax reform and free trade and hate Huckabee. That's right up your alley. The only thing I can think of that you wouldn't like about Toomey is his pro-life record. If you want to be a single-issue pro-choicer, are you sure that you're in the right party?
9 - bliffle
Perhaps Spector was waterboarded by the Obama administration into changing his party.
Maybe Obama read the brilliant defenses of waterboarding right here on BC and decided "by Jove, that's a great idea! And legal, too!"
So, maybe, the socialist goons in the Obama political machine kidnapped Spector and took him to the Secret Room under the whitehouse (left behind by the previous administration) and dunked him until he confessed his sins and agreed to become a democrat.
Maybe.