Master Index of Archived Threads
Specter flips!
Benjamin Grimm Apr 28 2009 11:55 AM |
Pennsylvania Senator Arlen Specter is switching parties. He'll become the 59th Democrat in the Senate.
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metsguyinmichigan Apr 28 2009 12:07 PM |
My problem with guys doing this mid-term is that they accepted money from the party when they sought re-election. If there were people who donated to him because they thought they were keeping a Republican in the Sentate, they have a right to feel betrayed.
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sharpie Apr 28 2009 12:17 PM |
Still don't think he'll be on the November ballot. I would guess that PA Democrats will end up nominating a regular Democrat rather than Specter. I think it's sad that he got hammered so hard for his vote on the stimulus package and that the GOP is being so doctrinaire. In a two-party system parties are only healthy if they have a reasonable spectrum and don't insist on ideological litmus tests. Specter is from a blue state and it's tough for a Republican to win (Pat Toomey will be crushed). Ben Nelson and Blanche Lincoln often don't vote with the Democrats but the party isn't funding opponents to unseat them with a more "pure" candidate.
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Nymr83 Apr 28 2009 12:20 PM |
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I don't care about the money, I care about the people who cast a vote for him expecting him, if nothing else, to caucus with the Republicans.
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sharpie Apr 28 2009 12:29 PM |
Difference with Lieberman is that he was a Democratic Senator in a blue state. Plus the party establishment lined up behind him until he lost the primary and then welcomed him back after he worked hard for the opposition.
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RealityChuck Apr 28 2009 01:28 PM |
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sharpie Apr 28 2009 01:34 PM |
The caucusing part isn't that important anyway unless, in the case of Jeffords a few years ago, it flips control of the Senate.
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Vic Sage Apr 28 2009 01:56 PM |
Specter was more liberal than most of his party, and had originally been a Democrat when he started in politics.
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Farmer Ted Apr 28 2009 02:37 PM |
There are two potential contenders in the GOP in PA vying for Specter's spot. Specter would have come in third in the primaries. This was his only hope for survival.
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Frayed Knot Apr 28 2009 05:01 PM |
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Which is what party flipping is usually about.
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RealityChuck Apr 29 2009 07:27 AM |
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