Who Will Specter's Switch Help in the Long Run?

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Arlen Specter is No Rubber Stamp... "I will continue my independent voting and follow my conscience." Even though I often disagree with the Senator, his decisions are based on the facts, common sense and The Constitution, not party line emotion. Hopefully, he will continue to be an independent voice of reason for ALL Americans.

jpinsatx of TX 10:54AM April 30, 2009

We don't need another imposter, we already have one in our president!

Evelyne of FL 8:29PM April 29, 2009

Another vote for the Democrats in the Senate helps them.
Clinton stole the Republicans' thunder with welfare reform, declaring the era of big government over, and budget surpluses; while Bush grabbed Democrat ideas like ruining education with federal interference, massive borrow-and-spend, elevating incompetent affirmative action minorities like Dr. Rice and Alberto Gonzales to high office, and giving the country away to Mexican illegal aliens.
I don't think either party has much philosophy other than getting re-elected and running around like chickens without heads trying to figure out what to do about the economy and war using their little peanut sized brains.

Luther of IL 5:06PM April 29, 2009

Larry of CA...
I agree with your "simple mission," but these are not ideals our party (I'm assuming you're a Republican) has lived by in recent years. While in control of congress and the white house, its hallmarks were massive spending, rampant federal intrusiveness, corruption, and some really strange sexual proclivities. Many of them were carried out by members on the far right, not the left. Blaming others--whatever their affiliation--for these problems is ridiculous, and tossing out politicians like Specter will not make much difference either. It's time we took responsibility for our party's mismanagement.

Todd of PA 1:28PM April 29, 2009

Bye Bye Spector!
Now we can have a REAL Republican!

Cheryl of MD 1:28PM April 29, 2009

I would add one more point to Larry of CA's list:
BORDER SECURITY and opposition to amnesty schemes (such as Obama's "comprehensive immigration reform" scheme).
As the Heritage Foundation reported, the long term costs of amnesty would be at least $2.6 TRILLION.

Dave of MO 11:56AM April 29, 2009

as long as the rest of the Republicans that are Republicans in name only follow his lead.
The GOP needs to move as far as possible away from the radical leftwing Democrats that have taken over a once great party.
Simple mission:
Limited government in all areas
Lower taxes, personal and corporate
Personal responsibility
Increase paths of opportunity
Reduced spending
Strong National Defense

Larry of CA 10:03AM April 29, 2009

I realy don't think his changing sides will hurt the republicans in the long run. Specter doesn't give a hoot about the people, he is only looking for personal gain. You know, I am very old and I like to think pretty wise. I said before the election that if Obama were to be elected, that before his first year was up people would be asking why did I ever vote for him. Guess what! It did not even take one hundred days!! Obama doesn't care about this country, all he wants to do is spend money and have the government control every company.I think every one with a little common sense knows what that is called. But fear not, I predict that when 2010 rolls around the democrats, (I was one until the last election), can start packing their bags, and get ready to move out of Washington as they will lose big time. I have no faith in any of them and I don't believe any thing they say. I just hope I live long enough to wave goodby to them. They have really got this country in a mess. Obama, park the plane and throw away the credit card, it is not yours.

woodenfrog of NJ 10:03AM April 29, 2009

I am no big Specter fan - especialy after he helped a criminal escape overseas to avoid prosecution here....
But he is a centrist - voting left on some issues, right on others. The electorate in Pennsylvania is like that too, so he represents their diverse views. This change of party is an example of the choice made by many who cannot remain Republicans based on their rabid social conservatism, hypocrisy on fiscal conservatism, and blanket support for all military adventures and spending on war and weapons at the expense of our spending at home.
I was also a Republican years ago. But the party left me - to quote a famous Repubican who was once a Democrat. They have Gone Outrageously Partisan (GOP) to the point of no longer representing this country - just a small slice of it.
Specter will not guarantee the 60 votes - he is too independent. Obama said as much in the announcement. But he may slide more towards Democratic positions that before if no longer pressed by the hard-line disciplinarians in the GOP.
The middle now belongs to the Democrats. Wow - what a difference 5 years makes.

Dorfy of SC 9:54AM April 29, 2009