You are not logged in.
Can we all say FILIBUSTER-PROOF? <BR> <BR>Know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em. <BR><blockquote> <b>Statement by Senator Arlen Specter</b> <BR> <BR> 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. <BR> <BR> 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. <BR> <BR> 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. <BR> <BR> 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. <BR> <BR> I have decided to run for re-election in 2010 in the Democratic primary. <BR> <BR> I am ready, willing and anxious to take on all comers and have my candidacy for re-election determined in a general election. <BR> <BR> 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. <BR> <BR> 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. <BR> <BR> 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. <BR> <BR> 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. <BR> <BR> 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. <BR> <BR> 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.</blockquote>
Offline
Has this been run through the SNOPE scanner yet???<img src="http://www.atomorrow.net/discus/clipart/rofl.gif" border=0> Neal, where is your hyperlink source for us to verify this phenomenal event? <BR> <BR>(Message edited by Bob_2 on April 28, 2009) <BR> <BR>(Message edited by Bob_2 on April 28, 2009)
Offline
<a href="http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/04/28/republican-senator-to-switch-to-the-democratic-party/" target=_top>http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/04/28/re publican-senator-to-switch-to-the-democratic-party /</a> <BR> <BR><a href="http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hVAg7QyrTm2nYvTqU0oYvgxkpP6A" target=_top>http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM 5hVAg7QyrTm2nYvTqU0oYvgxkpP6A</a> <BR> <BR><a href="http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0409/21798.html" target=_top>http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0409/21798.ht ml</a>
Offline
The Texas nut, a week ago, on voting for Specter in 2010:<blockquote><hr size=0><!-quote-!><font size=1><b>quote:</b></font><p><b><font color="ff0000"><font size="+1">Cornyn On Specter: "Best Bet" To Keep PA Seat With GOP</font></font></b> <BR> <BR>--snip-- <BR> <BR>"... A vote for Arlen Specter is a vote for denying Harry Reid and the Democrats a filibuster-proof Senate."<!-/quote-!><hr size=0></blockquote> <BR> <BR>--snip--} <BR><a href="http://hotlineoncall.nationaljournal.com/archives/2009/04/cornyn_on_spect.php" target=_top>http://hotlineoncall.nationaljournal.com/archives/ 2009/04/cornyn_on_spect.php</a>
Offline
<font color="0000ff">Has this been run through the SNOPE scanner yet???</font> <BR> <BR>I don't post garbage like u do. <BR> <BR>Sorry.
Offline
<a href="http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x5551878" target=_top>http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboa rd.php?az=view_all&address=389x5551878</a> <BR> <BR>Though probably not scientific, probably the answer.
Offline
Good that you verified your sources, Neal. Specter did this to not get voted out of office by the overwhelming Democrats or leaning Democratic voters, that he polled, probably to find out which side of the fence he needed to be on in 2010 or whenever he is up for reelection. <BR> <BR>Denial: <BR> <BR><a href="http://briefingroom.thehill.com/2009/04/28/specter-had-disavowed-a-switch/" target=_top>http://briefingroom.thehill.com/2009/04/28/specter -had-disavowed-a-switch/</a> <BR> <BR>more likely answer: <BR> <BR><a href="http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x5551878" target=_top>http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboa rd.php?az=view_all&address=389x5551878</a>
Offline
For what it's worth, his voting record: <BR> <BR><a href="http://www.issues2000.org/Senate/Arlen_Specter.htm" target=_top>http://www.issues2000.org/Senate/Arlen_Specter.htm</a>
Offline
Biden spoke with Specter 14 times <BR> <BR><a href="http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0409/21824.html" target=_top>http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0409/21824.ht ml</a> <BR> <BR><blockquote><hr size=0><!-quote-!><font size=1><b>quote:</b></font><p>... <BR> <BR>Biden has met or spoken on the phone with Specter an average of once a week since the Inauguration. And after Specter became one of three Senate Republicans to support the administration’s stimulus package, those conversations were stepped up. <BR> <BR>In the past 10 weeks, Biden has spoken with Specter 14 times — six in person and eight on the phone, according to the senior official. <BR> <BR>... <BR> <BR>In a sign of the critical role Biden played in convincing Specter to cross the aisle, the Pennsylvania party-switcher placed his first call this morning not to the president, but to Biden. <BR> <BR>Biden received a call from Specter at 8:45 a.m., but because the vice president was traveling, the two former colleagues did not speak until 10:58 — after Specter spoke with Obama.<!-/quote-!><hr size=0></blockquote>
Offline
Appropo for John Alfke's motto here: <BR> <BR>Its not enuf to be right... <BR>one also has to be persuasive.
Offline
<font color="0000ff">Biden spoke with Specter 14 times</font> <BR> <BR> <BR><img src="http://www.atomorrow.net/discus/messages/14/1151.gif" alt=""> <BR> <BR>-
Offline
Time to go see some evolved KINDS known to the KIND of Great Apes (which KIND would include us per Bob) as birds. <BR> <BR>Cheerio.
Offline
Run, Bob. Run! <BR> <BR>Get me banned. Free up some more time for those that acknowledge reality.
Offline
TTTHTFAL
Offline