Sen. Arlen Specter switches to Democratic Party
April 28, 2009 at 11:34 am by Joe Bardi
In what could be huge news out of Washington, Senator Arlen Specter (R) has announced that he’s switching parties, and will run for re-election to the Senate in 2010 as a Democrat instead of as a Republican. From Sen. Spector’s statement:
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.
When I supported the stimulus package, I knew that it would not be popular with the Republican Party. But, I saw the stimulus as necessary to lessen the risk of a far more serious recession than we are now experiencing.
Since then, I have traveled the State, talked to Republican leaders and office-holders and my supporters and I have carefully examined public opinion. It has become clear to me that the stimulus vote caused a schism which makes our differences irreconcilable. On this state of the record, I am unwilling to have my twenty-nine year Senate record judged by the Pennsylvania Republican primary electorate. I have not represented the Republican Party. I have represented the people of Pennsylvania.
I have decided to run for re-election in 2010 in the Democratic primary.
This announcement, plus the addition of Sen. Al Franken will give the Democrats a fillibuster-proof 60-seat majority in the Senate. Of course, Specter addresses this point as well:
My 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. Unlike Senator Jeffords’ switch which changed party control, I will not be an automatic 60th vote for cloture. For example, my position on Employees Free Choice (Card Check) will not change.
Which makes you wonder, what’s the point Arlen? You’re leaving the Republican party because you have no hope of re-election there, only to join the Democrats with the announcement that you won’t be much help or get in line on major Dem initiatives like the Employee Fair Choice Act? Why not just go Independent like Lieberman did? In any event, expect major fallout throughout the day on conservative talk radio and Fox News.
