BREAKING: Specter Defects to Democrats
Senator Arlen Specter arrives at the US Capitol today (Alex Wong/Getty)
In a release from Sen. Arlen Specter’s (R-PA) office this morning, first posted on PolitcsPA:
I have been a Republican since 1966. 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. 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.
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.
You can read the entire statement after the jump, but a few thoughts: First, this obviously speaks to the break down in the GOP in a huge way. The fact that Specter, one of the longest sitting Republicans in the Senate has felt disconnected from his party means that something is going horribly, horribly wrong.
Second, that it was the economic crisis that did this is also significant. As Specter states, it was the stimulus package that really forced the rift between himself and his GOP colleagues — not issues on the Justice Department, not torture, not gay marriage. And that means great things for the Democrats and their new image as the fiscally responsible party.
Lastly, sources on the Hill are telling me that Vice President Joe Biden was involved in Specter’s defection to the Democrats. I’m looking into this so stay tuned.
Update: Ben Smith is hearing the same things I am on Biden’s involvement, but emails and calls to the Vice President’s press people have yet to be returned. I did get in touch with the spokesperson for Specter at the Senate Judiciary Committee where Specter is the ranking minority member. He declined comment but did say he didn’t know what would be happening to him or his position in the coming weeks.
This brings up an interesting point: now that he’s a Democrat, can we finally get rid of the specter of Specter that’s been looming over these Justice appointments, like say Dawn Johnsen’s?
Specter’s statement, continued from above:
I am ready, willing and anxious to take on all comers and have my candidacy for re-election determined in a general election.
I deeply regret that I will be disappointing many friends and supporters. I can understand their disappointment. 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. It is very painful on both sides. I thank specially Senators McConnell and Cornyn for their forbearance.
I am not making this decision because there are no important and interesting opportunities outside the Senate. I take on this complicated run for re-election because I am deeply concerned about the future of our country and I believe I have a significant contribution to make on many of the key issues of the day, especially medical research. NIH funding has saved or lengthened thousands of lives, including mine, and much more needs to be done. And my seniority is very important to continue to bring important projects vital to Pennsylvania’s economy.
I am taking this action now because there are fewer than thirteen months to the 2010 Pennsylvania Primary and there is much to be done in preparation for that election. Upon request, I will return campaign contributions contributed during this cycle.
While each member of the Senate caucuses with his Party, what each of us hopes to accomplish is distinct from his party affiliation. The American people do not care which Party solves the problems confronting our nation. And no Senator, no matter how loyal he is to his Party, should or would put party loyalty above his duty to the state and nation.
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.
Whatever my party affiliation, I will continue to be guided by President Kennedy’s statement that sometimes Party asks too much. When it does, I will continue my independent voting and follow my conscience on what I think is best for Pennsylvania and America.
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He has been a Republican in name only (RINO) for years. Good riddance.
To Arlen Specter: good riddance
Specter has always been a great debate topic. He’s political hermaphrodite with a colorless personality. With this as a foundation, he’s existed virtually unchallenged for over 20 years. The people of Pennsylvania who’ve elected him are perennially lazy. Give em two choices of toilet paper or politicians and they’ll always go with the one that soothes their sore asses. Arlen may not bend over to kiss their rear ends, but he will satisfy with political theater to brighten up those gray cloudy skies for the corpulent and rather lazy Pennsylvania voter. As for the GOP, they’ll implode or find their bottom with or without Specter’s help.
How is this news?
He’s been a Democrat in all but name for years.
Lieberman’s switch in three, two….
All:
I’m hearing a lot from people who seem to think that this isn’t a significant development — he’s voted with Dems a lot in the last few years, etc. etc. But there’s a big difference from occasionally caucusing to selling out your party of 25+ years.
The fact that Specter put the nail in 60th nail in the GOP’s coffin, is another huge factor. If not significant practically, it’s significant symbolically. It demonstrates the impotence (nay, repellence) of Michael Steele’s leadership and the shambles that the GOP is in.
But more importantly it shows how bad Specter is hurting in the polls against Toomey. Don’t think that this move was anything more than a move to save his own skin, but don’t think that’s surprising.
I’d agree that this is an important move, esp. symbolically, but I’m afraid we’ve inherited another whiny-ass, grandstanding, Lieberman type whose vote is far from certain when we really need it.
Count this among the developments we never could have envisioned during the Clarence Thomas confirmation hearings.
Specter’s long pissed-off Republicans. I’d look for more drift leftward as he gains a new peer-group (it may sound silly, he’s not a teenager, but it’s how we function as humans).
This is also one more huge nail in the GOP’s self-built coffin as a regional party of the South.
This is shattering news for the repugs, just look at the reaction coming from the right if you don’t think this matters. Olympia Snow has already been asked if she’s next. A lot of us among the chattering class might think Specter is a bit of a jerk but to the average guy Specter seems reasonable, and this further enforces that there is no room in the GOP for any but the ideologically pure.
Also look at what the senator has said since this news has come out, not only has he stuck the sword in, he’s now twisting it.
I say this as a Dem who has voted for Specter in every election but one (post Anita Hill): this is a cheap political move. Specter knew he’d lose to Toomey. The problem is, he could also lose to Sestak or Schwartz. And probably will.
As D.A. in Phila., Specter was a butt boy and enabler for the former Phila mayor and police commissioner the thug Frank Rizzo. Just for the record.
Nora,
In his presser today, he was pretty candid about the fact that this was to win an election — his numbers against Toomey had him in the tank. This increasingly seems political rather than ideological.
Joseph,
Would have to agree with you, especially after hearing his press conference.
Ryan,
Maybe, but I think Specter doesn’t care much about his peer group and is in it just for himself. It might happen, but I wouldn’t expect it before November 2010
The national Dem party has–once again–sold us out in Pennsylvania. First they ask us to vote for Bob Casey, who makes Rush Limbaugh look liberal. Then they let Arlen take the seat over, knowing he will lose in November, just so they can gain a filibuster majority for the next few months. The problem is, they’ve given up a shot at seating a viable long term Dem senator in exchange for a short term filibuster.
Harry Reid should retire along with Specter.
Nora are you PUMA?
break down in the GOP in a huge way
I don’t see how. It shows that Specter knows how to read a poll. Little else.
the opportunity to be kingmaker is irresistible for some. In Canada, getting someone the floor has long been a way for shaky minority governments to avoid the possibility of losing a confidence vote. In the case of the Senate, it simply means that Specter’s gift of a filibuster and opposition free session will no doubt be received and reciprocated warmly.