You need more explanation after that headline?
A Republican since entering the U.S. Senate in 1980, Specter says, “I have not represented the Republican Party. I have represented the people of Pennsylvania.” And when it’s time to vote again? “I have decided to run for re-election in 2010 in the Democratic primary. … 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.”
The 79-year-old has served 30 years in the Senate, not known for always voting along party lines. It’s a smart move if he wants to be re-elected: Pennsylvania is majority Democratic, and perhaps you’ve heard which way the country is swinging these days? (He also avoids a difficult face-off with Rep. Pat Toomey in the primary.)
And did we mention? Swapping parties means the Democrats have a 60-seat filibuster-proof command of the Senate. But the Dems will of course still ask the other side of the aisle for advice, like whether they prefer milk and sugar.
How about we take this to the next level?
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rogue dandelion
no excuses any more! health care, civil rights, cap and trade- we are waiting.
another strumpet
I’m surprised that it took him this long.
fiscally conservative, sure, but that aspect of the GOP has been gone a LONG time.
Michael W.
We need Norm Coleman to concede and let Senator Al Franken be sworn in before we have the filibuster proof majority and that won’t happen until a couple months down the road (if we’re lucky and he doesn’t take it to the Supreme Court) We’re still at 59.
Paul
Which gay rights organization will be the first to step up and say: OK, you got the White House, you got a huge margin in the House, and now you have a filibuster-proof Senate. Here are our demands. We want them before the 2010 elections. Ready? Go!
Cam
So now that there is a filibuster proof majority in the Senate I wonder what excuse will be used to avoid getting rid of DOMA and Don’t Ask Don’t tell. And of course we can depend on HRC to give Congress cover WHENEVER they don’t want to vote on Gay rights. After all, if we get full rights there is no reason for HRC to exist.
Seriously now….a filibuster proof majority, 75% of the U.S. public think that don’t ask Don’t tell should be tossed out, a smaller majority favor getting rid of at least part of DOMA, if they aren’t willint to step up to the plate for gays at this point they never will.
atdleft
@Paul: Heh. I’m waiting for HRC to (finally) show some spine. Btw, here are my thoughts on Specter “becoming one of us”…
http://clintonistasforobama.blogspot.com/2009/04/arlen-specter-to-become-democrat.html
IF Specter switches to support important LGBT priorities like an all-inclusive ENDA, repealing DADT, and repealing DOMA along with other all-around progressive priorities like EFCA, a strong climate/clean energy solution, and a good budget, I can back him. Otherwise, let’s primary his @ss and back a real ally of our community.
Chitown Kev
@Cam:
And specter is good fo all of that, he’s in favor of overturning DOMA.
TANK
Hey…good, I guess. This guy’s such an asshole, though.
nadaboi
Even if he is doing this now to save his own political skin, anything that keeps Toomey out of the Senate is a good thing. I wonder how this will effect his committee assignments? His voice of moderation as Ranking Member on Judiciary was a much needed one. Senator Leahy will still be chair, but I’m not looking forward to Hatch move up.
Alexa
Yeah, there’s no filibuster proof majority until that asshole Coleman finally stops trying to postpone the inevitable. And there’s always people like Evan Bigh to contend with as well.
InExile
Now if we can just get our President on board???
myrios123
I’ve always liked Specter. When I lived in PA I voted for him… this is a big deal because I usually don’t vote ‘for’ anybody. I usually vote against. Anyway, I don’t always agree with him, but I think he’s true to his beliefs and represents the people of PA well.
I am surprised he switched parties… I think we need more republicans like him. I’ve always believed that organizations aren’t changed from the outside in, of course with the state of the current Republican party they are more or less rearranging deck furniture on the Titanic so every rat-politician for himself.
Bruno
He’s funny as hell. I don’t know if the 60 seats will be as big a deal as people say…I see Specter and anyone else voting however the hell they want to.
Bob R
Even with the eventual seating of Franken the Democrats will not have a filibuster proof majority. Specter has already said he wouldn’t cast the vote for cloture on several issue and appointments that Democrats want passed. He will not support EFCA. In addition to Specter, there are the so called Conservadems or Blue Dog Democrats who do not vote with the party leadership. Not to mention that Reid has no balls and often can not muster enough Democratic Senate votes to pass legislation. Unlike the GOP, very seldom will all Democrats vote the straight party line. Don’t look for any radical changes. Thanks to “conservadems” the bankruptcy reform bill was really watered down and the bankers are still calling the shots. I predict Specter will be a disappointment and will only help to drag the Democrats more to the right of center.
The Gay Numbers
Bob R hits the nail on its head. These conservadems will block any major progressive legislation, but my hope is that by next year we will have an effective progressive majority in the Senate to match the House. if we get that,t he damns will break and gay rights will come faster than we thought possible on the national level. Also, it would be useful regarding picking Judical nominees to have a strongly progressive Senate to undo the damage of the last 30 years.