(This will be the second party-switch for Specter, who became a Republican in 1965, when he was running for district attorney in Philadelphia. See the 2001 C-SPAN interview above.)
by Mark Silva, with Christi Parsons and James Oliphant, updated at 1:45 pm EDT
Republican Sen. Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania is switching parties and plans to seek reelection next year as a Democrat, in the meantime likely handing the Democrats a filibuster-proof majority in the Senate.
Specter's switch could hand the Democrats a 60-seat advantage in the Senate, provided that Al Franken of Minnesota prevails in his court-fight for a long-contested Senate election there. However, Specter said today that he will not become an "automatic'' 60th vote to close debates in the Senate.
A three-judge panel has concluded that Democrat Franken defeated Republican Sen. Norm Coleman in a razor-thin Nov. 4 election, and the state Supreme Court will hear the case in June.
For Specter, the party-switch also addresses an acute political problem at home, in a state whose political base is shifting and helped elect President Barack Obama in November.
Specter was elected to the Senate in 1980, he said today, as part of Ronald Reagan's "Big Tent.'' But the party, he complained, "has moved far to the right...
"I now find my political philosophy more in line with Democrats than Republicans,'' he said in a statement released by his office.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) welcomed Specter as a "moderate voice'' for the majority.
"Sen. Specter and I have had a long dialogue about his place in an evolving Republican Party,'' Reid said in a statement today. " We have not always agreed on every issue, but Sen. Specter has shown a willingness to work in a bipartisan manner, put people over party, and do what is right for Pennsylvanians and all Americans.''
Obama learned of Specter's decision this morning during his daily economic briefing at the White House when someone slipped the president a note: "Specter is announcing he is changing parties,'' the note read.
The president telephoned Specter a few minutes later, according to a senior administration official, who said Obama told Specter: "You have my full support... (We are) thrilled to have you."
Specter also telephoned Vice President Joe Biden, of Delaware, who had long served in the Senate with him -- Biden welcomed to the party a "friend'' with whom he has spoken weekly since becoming vice president.
Michael Steele, chairman of the Republican National Committee, wasn't as pleased with the senator's party switch: "Some in the Republican Party are happy about this. I am not,'' Steele said in a statement issued by the party.
"Let's be honest - Sen. Specter didn't leave the GOP based on principles of any kind. He left to further his personal political interests because he knew that he was going to lose a Republican primary due to his left-wing voting record.
"Republicans look forward to beating Sen. Specter in 2010,'' Steele said, "assuming the Democrats don't do it first."
(National Public Radio spoke with Specter just yesterday, on Talk of the Nation. And Specter has a noteworthy piece of his own in The New York Review of Books.)
(The party-switching Sen. Arlen Specter was surrounded by the media as he arrived for a vote at the Capitol today. Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images. A "thrilled" President Barack Obama calling Specter with a welcome:' White House photo by Pete Souza)
"I have been a Republican since 1966,'' Specter said in his statement. "I have been working extremely hard for the party, for its candidates and for the ideals of a Republican Party whose tent is big enough to welcome diverse points of view.
"While I have been comfortable being a Republican, my party has not defined who I am,'' the five-term senator said. "I have taken each issue one at a time and have exercised independent judgment to do what I thought was best for Pennsylvania and the nation.''
Last year, he noted, more than 200,000 Republicans in Pennsylvania switched their party registrations to Democrats.
Specter was one of three Republicans who helped the Democratic majority pass Obama's $787-billion economic stimulus in February, which not a single Republican in the House supported.
"When I supported the stimulus package, I knew that it would not be popular with the Republican Party,'' Specter said today. "But, I saw the stimulus as necessary to lessen the risk of a far more serious recession than we are now experiencing.''
Specter was facing a tough party primary challenge next year, with former Rep. Pat Toomey, a leader of the conservative Club for Growth mounting a campaign for the Republican nomination. The Democratic field appears wide open.
While allowing that he will be "disappointing many friends and supporters,'' Specter said, "I am also disappointed that so many in the party I have worked for for more than four decades do not want me to be their candidate.''
His party change "does not mean that I will be a party-line voter any more for the Democrats than I have been for the Republicans,'' he said. " I will not be an automatic 60th vote for cloture.''
Elected to the Senate in 1980, Specter had been a district attorney in Philadelphia and an outspoken leader on judicial matters in the Senate, including appointments to the Supreme Court. He also is a cancer survivor.
He boasts of having had "the courage to cross party lines'' in opposing the confirmation of court nominee Robert Bork, and, at a time when Republicans controlled the Senate he presided over the confirmation hearing for Chief Justice John Roberts Jr.
His five terms in office have made him the longest-serving U.S. senator in Pennsylvania history.
Here is the transcript of that 2001 C-SPAN interview of the history of Specter's first party-switch:
Transcript of the YouTube video:
BRIAN LAMB: What year did you change from being a Democrat to a Republican?
Sen. SPECTER: 1965. I had--I had been interested in being district
attorney of Philadelphia. And Philadelphia was a very corrupt city.
And the chairman of the Democratic Party said, `We don't want a young
Tom Dewey in the DA's office.' I had just finished investigating
magistrates, the corrupt minor judiciary of Philadelphia, where they
extracted bribes from people to get discharged, and they went after
gays. They had a theater called the Family Theater on the East Market
Street where gays assembled, and the vice squad would go and arrest
them and take them before magistrates, who would extort large sums of
money to--to discharge them or then, if they didn't pay off, to hold
them. And I had convicted quite a number of magistrates in this--in
this probe, and the head of the Democratic Party didn't like that
because these were a lot of very powerful political leaders.
And the Republican leader, Bill Meehan, came to me and asked me if I'd
consider running for district attorney on the Republican ticket. And
the nomination wasn't worth a whole lot because, the year before,
Lyndon Johnson had beaten Goldwater in Philadelphia by 640,000 to
200,000, or a 440,000 majority. But I thought it over and I
considered DA a--really a non-political office, and I--I agreed to run
on the condition that I would not change my registration, that I have
a free hand in selecting assistants. And I was elected DA on the
Republican ticket, sort of a fusion ticket.
And I tell the story in my book about Joe Clark. I go on to see
Senator Clark when I w...
LAMB: A Democrat.
Sen. SPECTER: ...a Democrat, when I wanted to run in the primary.
S--Senator Clark had written a letter--this goes back to before I took
the nomination on the Republican ticket, and he wrote a letter
suggesting of me and others for his DA. And, of course, that was the
kiss of death. So I went to Senator Clark and I said, `Senator Clark,
I'd be willing to take on a tough primary fight if you'll help me
raise some money.' He said, `Oh, I can't do that.' And I said, `Well,
maybe I'd do it if you'd come out for me and help me cam'--`Well, I
couldn't do that,' he said, `but I'll vote for you.' You know, big
deal. Here's a vote already.
So the Saturday before the election, he called me up, and I was
campaigning around town and I returned the call. And he said, `Arlen,
I think you're going to win this election.' He said, `Don't do
anything about registration until you talk to me.' So I went to see
him after the election, and he said--he said, `You ought to stay a
Democrat.' And I said, `Senator Clark, up until now, I hadn't
decided.' But Bill Meehan and the Republicans: no strings attached,
very comfortable, independent DA's office. And I decided to try to
bring back a second major party in Philadelphia, which I think is very
badly needed. So I changed my registration. I haven't succeeded,
Brian, but I'm still working on it.
Full transcript of the January 2001 "Booknotes" interview:
Comments
Finally some news to push the dogs and teleprompTers off the front page.
Arlen said yesterday or over the weekend he would have to "review" the testimony of the Torture Judge (Bybee) in his confirmation hearing.
Does this mean there may, finally, be some accountability and transparency for torture?
Maybe Judge Bybee can find a job at the AEI or similar haven for right wingers in exile, in case he has to resign.
Posted by: ornery | April 28, 2009 12:43 PM
Specter and Franken better watch their backs. The rabid right is going to be very angry, and their amoral demagogues will be whipping them up into a frenzy. I hope both Senators have a good security detail.
Posted by: R. Greer | April 28, 2009 12:44 PM
When will the other pugs wake up and realize there are too many rats on the sinking ship?
Posted by: Xcellentform | April 28, 2009 12:47 PM
I guess that Messiah crap, and teleprompter concerns aren't just cuttin it anymore. Don't you hate it when America actually wants answers?
Posted by: bill r. | April 28, 2009 12:49 PM
good ridance!
Posted by: jimsr | April 28, 2009 12:51 PM
Arlen has NEVER acted as a Republican. He is a tool of the unions, and always has been.
Posted by: BDD | April 28, 2009 12:52 PM
Who wouldn't want to walk away from the party of Hannity and Limbaugh? C'mon Grassley. Join the exodus.
Posted by: Kenneth Janowski | April 28, 2009 12:54 PM
Spector switching parties is a big loss for the Republicans. Unfortunately both the Democratic and Republican Parties are controlled by the Extreme Left with the Democrats and the Far Right with the GOP. Moderate Republicans and Conservative Democrats have been chased out of their parties by Left Wing Democrats and the Religious Right. This has caused extreme polarization in Washington and the country. Both Obama and Bush came to the presidency as leaders that could work in a bi-partisan manner. And both have failed. Tjhis is not good for the country in the long run.
Posted by: Depot Jim | April 28, 2009 12:55 PM
This is all about Arlen Specter keeping his Senate seat. A month ago, he said he would never leave the Republican party. He is switching solely for political survival. There is no principle involved whatsoever here. Good riddance, Specter. Hopefully Toomey will kick your geriatric butt in 2010!
Posted by: John D | April 28, 2009 12:56 PM
Let progress on healthcare legislation begin!
Posted by: Kenny Bunkport | April 28, 2009 12:56 PM
Switching parties? Who is Specter kidding? The man has been a closet Democrat for years, even voting in favor of this ridiculous spending bill that no real Republican would ever support.
Let's call it what it is, shall we? He is not "switching" parties, only making it official.
Posted by: djb | April 28, 2009 1:01 PM
Highlight of career? Opposing Robert Bork? I am really confident that Bork would not have allowed the taking of property. If you want to know the Bush legacy Specter is a prime example of why the RINOs lost control of the House, Senate and let spending go on. I just wish Hastert had done this a long time ago so we could have been rid of him to.
Posted by: RBT | April 28, 2009 1:05 PM
Why can't politicians ever be honest? He doesn't want to face Toomey in the primary so he's switching sides.
Just say so.
Posted by: Kathy | April 28, 2009 1:08 PM
HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA!HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA!
Posted by: joe | April 28, 2009 1:09 PM
Great! Now all the newly minted Obama Dems I know including myself will not have to re-register as a Rep to vote for Uncle Arlen!
Still, that Joe Torsella does sound interesting...
Posted by: Apricot | April 28, 2009 1:11 PM
so the republicans are moving to far to the right? But he's switching to a party that is moving too far to the left? Seems like he wants to be with the people in power, look for a switch back when republicans switch back into the majority down the road
Posted by: Nathan | April 28, 2009 1:16 PM
This is good news for the GOP!
Specter will never vote for cloture (60) with Dems (especially on Union issues), and it clears the way for Toomey (R-PA). Arlens trying to pull a Lieberman, but it won't work.
Posted by: Mal | April 28, 2009 1:16 PM
Spector has been a democrat in everything but name, look at his voting record.
Posted by: MikieH | April 28, 2009 1:17 PM
Specter probably could have had Dem nomination for VP or P somewhere along the line had he started as a Dem.
He is incredibly strong physically.
He has bounced back after some very serious surgeries as I recall.
Must be all that toughening that growing up in a town like Russell Kansas aforded.
Posted by: ornery | April 28, 2009 1:18 PM
Who cares. He was already in bed with the Dems, this is like finally admitting to the wife that you've been cheating on her and asking for a divorce. Well, Arlen, Baby, Sweetie, we already knew you were cheating and we don't care. With a sissy name like Arlen, we are well rid of you, girly-man.
Posted by: KatieMac | April 28, 2009 1:19 PM
If both parties had more members of Sen. Specter's political and intellectual integrity, this would be a better country.
Posted by: mark | April 28, 2009 1:20 PM
Congratulations, Senator Specter. I made the switch long ago, but that was before the Republican Party became an albatross around the neck of intelligent men everywhere.
The rest of the "Republicans" in Washington DC need to make the move also. There should be exactly 6 people left in the Republican Party as of now: George W. Bush, Dick Cheney, Don Rumsfeld, John Ashcroft, Condoleeza Rice, and Osama Bin Laden. Their mission was to destroy the Republican Party and I applaud them for their overwhelming success.
Give it another name, if you need to oppose the Democrats. This one is used up and will never resurrect.
Posted by: Dr Zhivago | April 28, 2009 1:26 PM
Good riddance Specter! You've been a dem for years anyway and this only has to do with the fact you're down 20 points in primary polling.
Now, if we can only get senators Snow, McCain, and Collins can join him!
Posted by: T.K. | April 28, 2009 1:27 PM
Why bother with the new label, this RINO has been a knee jerk dumbocrat since day one. I am hopeful he'll be defeated by Pat Toomey.
Posted by: Den C | April 28, 2009 1:28 PM
The Republican tent is getting smaller and smaller. Too much Glenn Beck/Rush Limbaugh and not enough sense.
Posted by: Flo | April 28, 2009 1:29 PM
Benedict Arnold comes to mind, your a real piece of work!. You've been around to long. Its time to put you out to pasture. Give America a break take your undeserved pension and your front row seats at the Phillies games and we will try very hard to forget you. You said you would not be a rubber stamp for the Dems, I wouldn't trust for love or money. As far as I'm concern your lower than a used car salesman. The GOP is better off without you,
Posted by: Paul | April 28, 2009 1:30 PM
Good for him. A proper stand on conscience. The Republican Party has become such an extreme-right party that we need to see another party rise to take it's place so that the two party system is preserved. I no longer believe the Republican Party, as it exists in the wake of the Bush Administration, is a viable second party and expect we may well be witness to it's demise.
Posted by: Steve Salmon | April 28, 2009 1:30 PM
The DemoClowns can have him... he's a loser. A perfect fit.
Posted by: Brandon P | April 28, 2009 1:40 PM
Here we go! Get ready for the media's Specter is a Hero parade!!!
Posted by: Sam | April 28, 2009 1:46 PM
This is all about Arlen Specter keeping his Senate seat.
Posted by: John D | April 28, 2009 12:56 PM
John and other like posters. What you miss is the real story. The republican party can win the primaries in these states, but can't win the general. They can't win the moderates anymore because they are seen as too far right.
Posted by: bill r. | April 28, 2009 1:47 PM
Another casualty of Liberal Guilt.
Posted by: Robin D | April 28, 2009 1:52 PM
Toomey strikes me as Rick Santorum Lite.
If RS could not keep his Senate seat, how can Rick Santorum Lite beat Arlen????
Posted by: ornery | April 28, 2009 1:55 PM
"Welcome aboard White Star Line, this is your Captain, Rush Limbaugh, speaking. Now, my First Mate, Sean Hannity, will provide an explanation as to why this ship is not sinkable. If you see any icebergs, have no fear."
Posted by: Evan | April 28, 2009 2:03 PM
This moron started off an address to a chamber last year with a string of Polish jokes. If this is the kind of good decision-making this dope offers, perhaps the Dems would be better of telling him to stay on his side of the aisle.
Posted by: Suburbanite | April 28, 2009 2:05 PM
Who will be the first Republic Swamp poster to wield and swing the RINO club at Sen. Specter? Bruce, John D, Jerry White, Jeff/Bill?
Posted by: sam | April 28, 2009 2:14 PM
WELCOME TO THE WINNING TEAM, ARLEN SPECTER !
Posted by: former Republican | April 28, 2009 2:16 PM
Political suicide. He will have even less support among Dums than he did in the GOP. Rick Santorum, you threw away your senate seat for nothing. I hope you're proud, traitor.
Posted by: That Guy | April 28, 2009 2:21 PM
The end of the GOP is at hand.
What a 100 days gift for Obama...
http://www.political-buzz.com/
Posted by: matt | April 28, 2009 2:24 PM
Specter is a self preservationist.....nothing more, but a lot less
Posted by: ed | April 28, 2009 2:27 PM
I'm glad that Specter is finally honest. Rep. Mark Kirk should run as a Democrat, since he's more liberal than many Democrats. His latest rating from Planned Parenthood is 100%, and his latest rating from Gun Owners of America is 0%. In May 2007, when 11 republican congressmen went to the White House and told President Bush that they opposed the opposed the Iraq surge, Kirk was the group's leader.
Posted by: Conservative Veteran | April 28, 2009 2:27 PM
Arlen Specter is a weasel and will do whatever is best for Arlen Specter. He's another LIEberman. Hopefully he will be dumped in the primary in favor of a real Democrat, and since Toomey doesn't stand a chance in a general election, we will have another senator working for the American people instead of the corporate elite.
And the Employee Free Choice Act is a law that will HELP working Americans. The fat cats already have all the help they need. EFCA will NOT take away secret ballots, that is a lie of the right-wing and we aren't going to take it any more.
Posted by: Patrick | April 28, 2009 2:28 PM
voting in favor of this ridiculous spending bill that no real Republican would ever support.
Let's call it what it is, shall we? He is not "switching" parties, only making it official.
Posted by: djb | April 28, 2009 1:01 PM
I am assuming you're not including the Republicans who voted for the first stimulus bill passed by Bush right? MORONS!
Posted by: Scot S. Blakeley | April 28, 2009 2:31 PM
Who cares. He was already in bed with the Dems, this is like finally admitting to the wife that you've been cheating on her and asking for a divorce. Well, Arlen, Baby, Sweetie, we already knew you were cheating and we don't care. With a sissy name like Arlen, we are well rid of you, girly-man.
Posted by: KatieMac | April 28, 2009 1:19 PM
Nice post KatieMac. What kind of name is that anyway? Sounds like a Happy Meal to me. MORON!
Posted by: Scot S. Blakeley | April 28, 2009 2:36 PM
Specter, this article and a majority of the comments are all disingenuous. Specter a moderate? By what standard? The republican party has moved to the right? Lets be serious.
There is a small group of extremists on both sides and other than them, the entire government (repub & dem) have all been moving left for years. The republicans today are what used to pass for democrats and todays democrats are socialists.
Why can't everyone be honest about who they are?
Posted by: Kathy | April 28, 2009 2:38 PM
RBT used the RINO sobriquet above.
Dems don't have a similar one.
Because their party truly is inclusive.
Replicans are exclusive, like their country clubs.
Posted by: ornery | April 28, 2009 2:40 PM
Too far to the right? Hmmm.
What will become of all of us who are conservatives? We haven't had a home for almost a decade.
It's hard to compete with the freebies being offered.
Posted by: Alien Rants | April 28, 2009 2:43 PM
* * * * *
I am not surprised at Arlen “Magic Bullet” Specter’s decision to jump to the Democratic Party. He was a Democrat until 1965, when it became politically expedient to change parties. His chameleon like character never left him. Although he was right to oppose some of the stuff the neo-cons wanted, the balance of his voting record has never been very conservative. Some Democrats are better fiscal conservatives than he ever was. So, I guess the real question here isn’t why Specter is jumping “back” to the Democratic Party. The real question is whether the Democratic Party will embrace him.
Posted by: John W. | April 28, 2009 2:48 PM
The DemoClowns can have him... he's a loser. A perfect fit.
Posted by: Brandon P .
Arlen Spector is alot more successful than someone like you will ever be. Now go overdose yourself on Rush Limpbaugh.
Posted by: Doug R. | April 28, 2009 3:04 PM
good riddance. What took him so long?? Let's beat him in the next election.
Posted by: david martenson | April 28, 2009 3:04 PM
good riddance. What took him so long?? Let's beat him in the next election.
Posted by: david martenson | April 28, 2009 3:05 PM
He wasn't doing the Republicans any good anyway.....
Posted by: Bonnie | April 28, 2009 3:09 PM
This is great news. The moderates of the GOP are starting to wake up. We Democrats will welcome them! Soon the Democrats will be the Center-Right party opening up another party (Green?) to take the center-left positon and send the GOP to the dust bin of history!
Posted by: Joe | April 28, 2009 3:20 PM
Mark Kirk switch to Dem?
Hmmm.
I'd contribute to him as a Dem.
Posted by: ornery | April 28, 2009 3:26 PM
One poster wrote, "The republicans today are what used to pass for democrats and todays democrats are socialists.
Why can't everyone be honest about who they are?"
No. Not at all. JFK, FDR, Truman, and LBJ had nothing in common with the current GOP.
Former Republican Presdient Eisenhower would be too left wing for today's GOP. Heck, even Nixon would be a radical lefty compared to the current Republicans.
Republicans support warrantless wiretapping, torture, removing the writ of habeas corpus, and starting wars against nations that didn't attack us.
Americans are sick of the GOP nonsense. People are voting Democratic because they're fed up with the uber-right wing overzealousness and faux-uber-piety.
Wake up, Republicans. You're losing elections because you have contempt for Americans and for democracy. Come to the light.
Posted by: dg | April 28, 2009 3:35 PM
So what's the difference? He's moderate either way. Dem's don't want a hard party line vote. Too much risk when something doesn't work out.
Newsworthy in 2010, not today.
Posted by: TA | April 28, 2009 3:38 PM
I thought prostitution was illegal?
Posted by: RDL | April 28, 2009 3:42 PM
You're kidding yourselves if you really think the right is more moderate than the left. The Dems may be moving more economically liberal, but given their pro-war in Afghanistan stance and acceptance of wiretapping, I'd say overall the left is far more moderate than the right.
The majority of the GOP has made no movement toward the left whatsoever in the past decade.
Posted by: Amurican | April 28, 2009 3:45 PM
I agree with Allen Rants. Too many republican politicians are too liberal. That includes George W. Bush and Sen. McCain.
Posted by: Phil Collins | April 28, 2009 3:46 PM
RBT used the RINO sobriquet above.
Dems don't have a similar one.
Because their party truly is inclusive.
Replicans are exclusive, like their country clubs.
Posted by: ornery | April 28, 2009 2:40 PM
.
Huh? Yeah, we do. "DINO" has been used frequently, e.g. in referring to Senator Joe Lieberman.
.
I'd still like to think of our party as more inclusive than the Republicans, but suspect they'd have some arguments in that regard.
.
Sorry.
Posted by: Op109 | April 28, 2009 3:46 PM
Is Chuck Hagel next to jump ship?
Posted by: Dave | April 28, 2009 3:48 PM
I've never seen so many pugs squeal with delight to watch their party fall apart. I hope 20 more senators make the switch. And for Arlen....what's so bad about cloture.....I think the pugs need a good dose of it right now.
Posted by: Xcellentform | April 28, 2009 3:53 PM
It's a shame that the Republican Party is becoming far too extreme. There was a time that the Republican moderates were the ones who ushered in civil rights (over conservative Democrats' objections) and environmental friendly legislation. While I am a Democrat, I appreciate the need for ideas from across the spectrum, and the stronger need for a solid ballast in the middle. This nation needs a strong, vital two party system to keep ideas flowing, discourse civil, and leaders honest. This news is discouraging.
Posted by: Bemused | April 28, 2009 3:55 PM
O, of course, I forgot to say:
The Lord moves in mysterious ways, His wonders to perform.
Posted by: ornery | April 28, 2009 4:04 PM
Specter is such a fool and proves once again how out of touch he is. The majority of republicans who switched to dumocrat did so they could vote for Billary in the PA Primary since Arlen's RINO colleague from AZ already clinched the Republican nomination...Fools!
Posted by: Chas | April 28, 2009 4:10 PM
One thing you Republicants will never be accused of is loyalty. George Bush buy a ticket to the McCain/Palin whitefest last August. So too, this clown Specter finds himself "under the bus."
====
This just in: They've reserved the auxiliary conference room at Slotnick's Wedding Hall on 26th Street in Berwyn for the 2012 National Republican Convention. Should be ample room (cash bar).
Posted by: A Blinkin | April 28, 2009 4:15 PM
Gee do ya think that might be a biased headline Mark?
A more accurate headline might have read "SELFISH POLITICIAN ABANDONS PRINCIPLES FOR PERSONAL GAIN"
Posted by: Matt | April 28, 2009 4:20 PM
Now if we can get him to admit the single-bullet theory was a fraud and that the Warren Commission suppressed evidence of the conspiracy to kill JFK.
Posted by: Lee Oswald | April 28, 2009 4:41 PM
Just love to see all this self-righteous indignation. Recall U.S. Senator Everet Dirksen of Illinois, when he gave character testimony in the Governor Stratton corruption trial. His observation on the universal motivation of a politician of any party is priceless. In a deep sartorial voice, he intoned to the effect, "The sole motivation of a politician once he is elected, is to be re-elected". Stratton was acquitted. They all do it, so just deal with it or become a politician yourself. This is funny, though. Picture an an elephant with steam coming out from underneath its ears. They may say good riddance, but they're hurtin' none the less, and it shows. Totally agree with "Bemused" above. Tough for some people to change. There is hope for a second party. The generation coming of age really doesn't care about the issues that have driven the Repugs so far off course. They may well be the voice that brings that alternative back to the center.
Posted by: louie louie | April 28, 2009 4:46 PM
Arlen, my friend, why don't you come in out of the darkness where everything is warm and safe. That's it, just follow the light to the promised land where life is good, people are friendly...there's never anything to fear. Everything is going to be alright...come now, follow the light...
Posted by: Quippy | April 28, 2009 5:08 PM
Dirksen and Stratton--two names that remind me why I never voted Replican.
Ev was fun to watch, however, when (way before cable TV) the stations used to fulfill their "public service" obligations in part by running a monthly Senator's report.
Paul Douglas and his wife would talk about issues of the day.
And then Ev--well, you could never really tell what he was saying, but it was mellifluous.
THE WIZARD OF OOZE.
Was what the press called him.
Posted by: ornery | April 28, 2009 5:19 PM
Wow! Just a month ago, he said he would never leave the Republican Party. He’s a very old guy – he probably just forgot what he said. If the first poll shows him losing to the likely Republican opponent Toomey - then maybe he will switch to the Green Party or the Libertarian Party.
He is a pretty old guy suffering from serious illness - a year and a half could be a very long time for Arlen….an eternity, literally.
Posted by: John | April 28, 2009 5:24 PM
Now if we can get him to admit the single-bullet theory was a fraud and that the Warren Commission suppressed evidence of the conspiracy to kill JFK.
Posted by: Lee Oswald | April 28, 2009 4:41 PM
I taught I offed youse, ya commie
Posted by: Jack Ruby | April 28, 2009 5:26 PM
"Specter and Franken better watch their backs. The rabid right is going to be very angry, and their amoral demagogues will be whipping them up into a frenzy. I hope both Senators have a good security detail."
I hope they don't and a few others as well!
Posted by: Edward | April 28, 2009 5:42 PM
Senate Majority Leader, Socialist Harry Reid (D-Nev.) welcomed Specter as a "moderate voice'' for the majority.
Posted by: TI | April 28, 2009 5:44 PM
O, of course, I forgot to say:
The Lord moves in mysterious ways, His wonders to perform.
Posted by: ornery | April 28, 2009 4:04 PM
The lord did speak on election day!
Posted by: Scot S. Blakeley | April 28, 2009 5:44 PM
From evil Republican to Evil Democrat. Better fit.
Posted by: Harold Reimann | April 28, 2009 6:18 PM
Any way you cut it, this has to be seen as a BIG black eye for the Republicans. This guy's a 30 year veteran, and now HE'S jumping ship? Definitely a disturbing development if you happen to be a rich old white guy.
Posted by: James Griffin | April 28, 2009 6:18 PM
Everything is so far to the left now that anything even slightly towards center looks like the far right to the leftist.
Good Bye Arlen sorry about your Alzheimers
Posted by: Big Al | April 28, 2009 7:02 PM
Hop aboard and join the winning team, after 8 years of embarassment and ignorance, the Repubs are in dire need of a makeover, almost as much as the CPD...
Posted by: J.Kerr | April 28, 2009 7:29 PM
How much did he get paid for jumping ship?? Turncoat Specter....Follow the money trail...right to the WH
Posted by: Hannah | April 28, 2009 7:34 PM
GOP too far right? I'd say they are too far left. And the Left? Off the scales left. Whom the gods want to destroy they first make mad.
Posted by: Harold Reimann | April 28, 2009 7:46 PM
Senate Majority Leader, Socialist Harry Reid (D-Nev.) welcomed Specter as a "moderate voice'' for the majority.
Posted by: TI | April 28, 2009 5:44 PM
This is very funny. Recent poll found more people approve of the socialist government of Venezuela than the Republican Party in the United States. Socialism - the antidote to conservative poison.
Posted by: louie louie | April 28, 2009 7:48 PM
He says the GOP is far to the right. What a laugher. That statement alone shows his mental capacities are diminishing. The problem is the GOP went way too far to the left and conservatives had no idea where the party was going. He couldn't be trusted and the best thing to happen is the turncoat left the party. Good riddance.
The GOP must unite and have common goals. That is where the strength will be. The big umbrella is a joke.
Posted by: John | April 28, 2009 8:11 PM
The party of Lincoln is now the party of Fred Phelps, The NRA and the KKK. RIP GOP!
Posted by: CNNGuy | April 28, 2009 8:17 PM
He was no Republican. His 'blame game' fits in well with those he is joining.
Posted by: Jim | April 28, 2009 8:24 PM
Specter just raised the IQ of both parties.
Posted by: OSD | April 28, 2009 8:30 PM
Arlen Specter is emblematic of the character content on the left. Good riddens.
Posted by: politicaldookie | April 28, 2009 10:46 PM
Most of those posting here have little information about Pennsylvania and its traditions. Spector is one of a long line of moderate Republicans who would not fit into today's Republican party, but who served their state and country well. Governor Scranton and the late Senator John Heinz are two who were often mentioned as possible Presidential candidates. Maybe back then, but not these days. The reality is, pragmatic approaches to problems rather than ideological approaches is worthwhile. But some people would rather stick to an ideology and not care about solving problems. That's why we are so badly divided today.
Posted by: Pennsylvania born | April 28, 2009 11:38 PM
I guess when they operated on Spector's brain they planted a Democrat (Jackass) chip in his brian. Spector is now being ayes man and controlled by the Democrats. Arlen Spector..never did like the scum bag anyway..
Posted by: NEWSINPRINT | April 29, 2009 6:23 AM
"GOP too far right? I'd say they are too far left. And the Left? Off the scales left. Whom the gods want to destroy they first make mad."
It sure sounds like they're out to get you, Harold.
Posted by: JMK | April 29, 2009 10:22 AM
Penna born, I remember Sen. Scott well--assume he is one of the moderates you recall.
Posted by: ornery | April 29, 2009 11:49 AM
The GOP must unite and have common goals. That is where the strength will be. The big umbrella is a joke.
Posted by: John | April 28, 2009 8:11 PM
Ya right, well good luck with that! LOL (Crickets)
Posted by: Scot S. Blakeley | April 29, 2009 7:58 PM