Feeds: 
symbol identifies content for paid subscribers only.
WHY DID ARLEN SPECTER BECOME A DEMOCRAT?
"I did not say I would be a loyal Democrat," insisted Arlen Specter on Meet the Press. "I did not say that." And it's true, he didn't say that. But people about to compete in a Democratic primary in a blue state tend not to spend a lot of time trumpeting what loyal Democrats they aren't. It's a pretty simple principle. Lots of guys are bad, inattentive, boyfriends. But they don't announce it on the first date.
Meanwhile, Congressman Joe Sestak -- a Blue Dog Democrat, to be sure, but still a recognizable Democrat -- has $3 million in the bank, booked a meeting with Andy Stern over the weekend, and made the rounds on Firedog Lake. He's been pretty clear about his intention to primary Specter.
Which makes Specter's continued declarations that he's a not-loyal Democrat who will not support Democratic priorities like a public insurance plan and card check and the president's budget all the odder. Specter is facing a primary filled with Democratic voters who have spent a good chunk of their adult lives nominating candidates to try and topple...Arlen Specter. And he mainly seems to be hoping that they're not paying attention. On Meet the Press this weekend, David Gregory asked him why he switched parties. You could have imagined a well-rehearsed speech on the rightward drift of the Republican Party and the increasing attraction of Democratic ideals. Not quite:
MR. GREGORY: All right, let me ask you about this switch from the Republican to the Democratic Party. Back in April of this year on MSNBC's "Morning Joe" you said this: "So I'm trying to bring back those voters to the Republican Party. We need balance and I'm trying to get people to register Republican. We need a second party. Look here, our country is built on checks and balances. The only check and balance in America today are the 41 Republican Senators who can talk and filibuster, otherwise, the White House, the House of Representatives will be a steamroller." Well, Senator, you've now decided to join that steamroller. What changed?
SEN. SPECTER: Well, well, since that time I undertook a very thorough survey of Republicans in Pennsylvania with polling and a lot of personal contacts, and it became apparent to me that my chances to be elected on the Republican ticket were, were bleak. And I'm simply not going to subject my 29-year record in the United States Senate to that Republican primary electorate. I'm not going to do that.
Now, with respect to the steamroller, I have shown repeatedly my independence, willing to cross party lines when I thought the interests of the American people in Pennsylvania were required it. Take one example: There's a bill on employees choice known as Card Check, which would take away the secret ballot and impose mandatory arbitration. I said when I made the switch I'm still against that bill. Democrats are all for it, Republicans are all against it and I'm the critical vote.
Give the guy points for honesty, I guess. But he's probably going to have to come up with a better explanation for the Democrats in Pennsylvania. It's hard to see the state's liberal base responding to a candidate touting his careerist opportunism and political unreliability.
COMMENTS (16)
oh my, Ridge vs Toomey, Specter vs Sestak.
Gaming these choices sure sees like fun.
Does the cadaverine odor on the GOP give Sestak a chance to beat Ridge?
Would Spector smell quite as bad if the choice is him or Toomey? (To the Dems).
Sestak v. Toomey sounds more interesting.
Arlen has in one week opened all sorts of possibilities with his own statements. Does he seriously think that the Repubs/Indies will save his ass (with money) in a contest with a colorably Dem. primary opponent? [The primaries are closed in PA].
I don't mind a Dem who from time to time can't support the Dem. position on an issue, but to wave the flag of independence (it's red) in front of my blue bull makes me want to paw the earth and snort with serious intent. So, Arlen and Ben Nelson need to be vigorous opposed - for the common good.
Posted by: JimPortlandOR | May 4, 2009 11:18 AM
I think (and a hope) that the Democratic brand means something specific, even in the Keystone State. As things now stand, what happens there will impact me 1000 miles away. I know, as a non resident of PA, I am putting aside money that I can donate to a PA Democratic Senatorial primary candidate who will “fight the good fight.”
I doubt I will be sending that money to Arlen.
Posted by: Keith G | May 4, 2009 11:19 AM
It is kind of mind-boggling that he jumped away from one hostile primary and into what he had to realize was another, Rendell and Reid's promises notwithstanding. It certainly looked, and continues to look, like his path of least resistance was as a Jeffords-style independent, who caucuses with the Dems but doesn't have to deal with a primary.
Posted by: Aaron S. Veenstra | May 4, 2009 11:27 AM
As long as he's a reliable vote for cloture--and Reid ought to make any committee appointments contingent on him being willing to so vote--who gives a crap about how he actually votes in the end.
Posted by: TW Andrews | May 4, 2009 11:37 AM
Has Harry Reid ever successfully imposed an enforceable condition on any member of his caucus? Come on, the Dem leadership is mostly good for writing checks and making sad faces when they get screwed.
Posted by: NS | May 4, 2009 12:08 PM
Well, I guess he really is a Republican. The inability to see reality is telling!
In all seriousness, I think some of this is overconfidence. I'm sure having the president and party leaders kissing your butt after all the abuse he's taken from Republicans feels pretty good. He might be feeling a little invincible.
However, Specter clearly knows how to read a poll. Once data comes out showing he better snap-to or else, I'm sure he will.
Posted by: Roq | May 4, 2009 12:44 PM
Specter's continued loud opposition to card-check seems especially suicidal. Does he want labor to help Sestak shiv him?
Posted by: NBarnes | May 4, 2009 1:11 PM
Why does a 78 year old man with no discernable political goals care so much about spending another six years in the Senate?
I don't trust him worth a damn and hope he gets a strong primary challenge.
Posted by: Virginia | May 4, 2009 2:46 PM
I would be shocked if Pennsylvania were given a chance to elect Arlen Specter and yet did not elect Arlen Specter. That's how they roll.
Posted by: Senescent | May 4, 2009 3:49 PM
My mother's lived in PA all her life and is PISSED at Specter. She does not want to have to vote for him. She wants to be able to vote for a Dem. She's counting on his health not holding up.
Posted by: KLP | May 4, 2009 6:20 PM
Actually Ezra, Joe Sestak is NOT a member of the Blue Dog Coalition. His lifetime score from Progressive Punch is 93%. On "crucial votes" they have him at 72%, but that is probably misleading since he is in a reddish-district. As a Senator he would probably move to the left, becoming a Bob Casey type.
Nate Silver did a hit job on Sestak a few days ago, but his numbers are really misleading. Sestak is semi-moderate but he is no Blue Dog.
Posted by: Existenz | May 5, 2009 2:19 AM
Why didn't he just go Indie? He really doesn't fit in any party and god knows we need a third one.
Besides I rather have Specter in the party than Lieberman. We got the better of that deal.
Posted by: UnemployedBush | May 6, 2009 11:32 AM
Well...Specter did loose his seniority.
Posted by: CatWillow | May 6, 2009 12:01 PM
Let's keep in mind that Specter is the author of the Warren Commission's "Magic Bullet Theory." He sold his soul a long, long time ago.
Posted by: NoOneYouKnow | May 6, 2009 12:37 PM
Come on, Ezra, he came right out and said it. He wants to hang on to his job, and he saw this as the surest way to make that happen. I'm a lifelong PA resident, and I know what these folks have been up to. He and Ed Rendell cooked this up to rig the primary, just like Ed and Chuck Schumer rigged the PA primary to make sure Casey won. The difference is that Casey is a real democrat, and actually has a conscience. But in both cases the machinists of the party got together behind closed doors to make sure PA Dems would have no real choice in the primary season. I'm so mad I could spit nails. But I'm voting for Joe Torsella instead.
Posted by: Riggsveda | May 6, 2009 2:14 PM
ed hardy ed hardy clothing
ed hardy clothing
Posted by: ED Hardy | December 3, 2009 10:11 PM