Olympia Snowe Op-Ed: We Didn’t Have to Lose Arlen Specter (NYT)

[jefferson_dem]

We Didn’t Have to Lose Arlen Specter
By OLYMPIA SNOWE
Washington

IT is disheartening and disconcerting, at the very least, that here we are today — almost exactly eight years after Senator Jim Jeffords left the Republican Party — witnessing the departure of my good friend and fellow moderate Republican, Senator Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania, for the Democratic Party. And the announcement of his switch was all the more painful because I believe it didn’t have to be this way.

<SNIP>

It is true that being a Republican moderate sometimes feels like being a cast member of “Survivor” — you are presented with multiple challenges, and you often get the distinct feeling that you’re no longer welcome in the tribe. But it is truly a dangerous signal that a Republican senator of nearly three decades no longer felt able to remain in the party.

Senator Specter indicated that his decision was based on the political situation in Pennsylvania, where he faced a tough primary battle. In my view, the political environment that has made it inhospitable for a moderate Republican in Pennsylvania is a microcosm of a deeper, more pervasive problem that places our party in jeopardy nationwide.

I have said that, without question, we cannot prevail as a party without conservatives. But it is equally certain we cannot prevail in the future without moderates.

In that same vein, I am reminded of a briefing by a prominent Republican pollster after the 2004 election. He was asked what voter groups Republicans might be able to win over. He responded: women in general, married women with children, Hispanics, the middle class in general, and independents.

How well have we done as a party with these groups? Unfortunately, the answer is obvious from the results of the last two elections. We should be reaching out to these segments of our population — not de facto ceding them to the opposing party.

There is no plausible scenario under which Republicans can grow into a majority while shrinking our ideological confines and continuing to retract into a regional party. Ideological purity is not the ticket back to the promised land of governing majorities — indeed, it was when we began to emphasize social issues to the detriment of some of our basic tenets as a party that we encountered an electoral backlash.

<SNIP>

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/29/opinion/29snowe.html?_r=2&partner=rss&emc=rss&pagewanted=print

[madaboutharry]

1. Dear Olympia,

The door is always open.

[Nickster]

2. Now seating Senator Snowe.......always a seat available at our table.

[TheCowsCameHome]

3. "Attention please: Table for two now ready for the Snowe & Collins"

[ecstatic]

9. and Meghan McCain! LOL nt

[RoadRage]

16. Megan's not leaving...

her response to Rush yesterday when he said that Specter should take John & Megan McCain with him was: http://twitter.com/McCainBlogette/statuses/1643014881

"Red 'til I'm dead baby"..

Ehh.. maybe after 5 more years of bashing her head against the Religious Right wall, she'll change her mind?!

[Bluenorthwest]

28. Or maybe she sees what I see

The religous right is also in the Democratic Party. We have Faith Based legalized discrinmination as Obama policy. So this whole thing of painting the other party as the only one where religious dogma is used to oppress Americans to gain a political end is simply hypocrisy to the max. We have DuBois, we have a Party Chair that opposes even civil unions for gay people. But they are the religious ones? Maybe in the 80's or 90's, but now, the religious bull is equal on both sides. Obama thinks I should have less rights than other because of his religion, that is the reason he gives.
So yeah. It is just 'them'. Geez. What do we have on our side? Same thing. Homophobia, people waving Bibles and shouting about one man and one woman. And of course the younger woman you marry second. And the third. And the mistress...
Sorry, but one can not have the cake and eat it too.

[RoadRage]

30. Quick Question...

And let me preface this by saying - I think that Gay People should fully be able to marry their partner in all states.

But, as for the dogma being equal on both sides of the aisle.. i disagree with that. If that were the case, then that would mean neither party would be pushing for it.. yet just this month it's legal in Iowa... where the churchs are only outnumbered by the farms.

I'm not saying that there aren't some blue dogs who are opposed to gay marriage - we saw that in CA. But, I would say that between the 2 parties - Democrats as a WHOLE are far more progressive then Republicans as a WHOLE.

Especially now, considering that many of the "small government" fiscal conservatives who really don't care if gays get married are now leaving the republican party in droves.. to either go libertarian, or to go independant. Which leaves the portion in the "R" party even more "against" gay marriage.

We still have a big fight.. but the democrats are getting there much quicker then Republicans are.. they'll only go kicking and screaming.

[Jennicut]

18. Meghan is young. She would probably switch when Daddy retires.

[Occam Bandage]

32. She's not switching, nor do I think she should.

The Republican party needs a sensible young generation of conservatives. The Dems won't hold power forever, and when the big wheel turns and the Dems need to take their turn in the back seat, I would rather we be the opposition to a Republican party that has seen where the religious-right leads them, and that has decided to follow a younger, less insane leadership.

[Captain Hilts]

12. Get them two handsome dates at that table....nt

[LynneSin]

4. It is true that being a Republican moderate sometimes feels like being a cast member of “Survivor”

It is true that being a Republican moderate sometimes feels like being a cast member of “Survivor” — you are presented with multiple challenges, and you often get the distinct feeling that you’re no longer welcome in the tribe. But it is truly a dangerous signal that a Republican senator of nearly three decades no longer felt able to remain in the party.

--Olympia Snowe

_____________________________________________________________

This is why I don't get bent out of shape about things like Blue Dog Dems or the DLC. I do NOT want Ideological purity. I would rather have a diversified party that welcomes all types of democrats instead of a party that expects ideological purity - there is a reason there are 60 of us and only 40 of them.

[msallied]

17. That is a good point. Our tent is bigger.

Thought it may still present challenges for our President in passing legislation that either the farther left or the moderates want, it's a heck of a lot better than trying to bargain with religious zealots, many of whom believe that gays are evil and dinosaurs came equipped with saddles.

[Vinca]

5. Note to Olympia: the Grand No Party doesn't want moderates.

[Cha]

23. Excellent description..

The "grand no party" gnp.

[olkaz]

26. From what I've read over the past year, it doesn't appear many folks here want moderates either.

[jberryhill]

6. Is She Going To Have To Apologize To Rush Limbaugh Now?

[tanyev]

7. There's a reason you're getting the feeling you're no longer welcome, Olympia.

You think they won't target you? Good luck with that.

[Dinger]

8. I Think Olympia Is Next

Seriously

[NWHarkness]

10. If Olympia is so concerned

about the GOP going so far to the rightt, why does she come back to Maine every two years and support the extremists like Chandler Woodcock and Carol Weston when they run for state offices?

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

20. Because to her, she's wedded to a party label. She likes being called a Republican. n/t

[AspenRose]

22. I think you're right.

I think she likes the idea of being a republican more than following the courage of her convictions.

[Captain Hilts]

11. What'll it take, Ollie? Chocolate? Flowers? Someone to drive Dupont Circle for you? Name it. nt

[Renew Deal]

13. "Ideological purity is not the ticket back to the promised land of governing majorities"

RW ideologues are going to hate that statement. This is the exact opposite of what they've been spouting.

[jefferson_dem]

14. Word.

While this statement mostly applies to the freakish extremist goons on the right, our side should take heed as well. "Big Tents" provide cover for policy agenda advancement.

[LynnTheDem]

15. Dear Ms. Snowe; rightwing = right wing of the parliament, = House of Lords.

You will ALWAYS have the full support of the super-rich.

You will NEVER have the support of the non-super-rich sentient people.

We don't vote against our own best interests.

Period.

[mvd]

33. True - what do they have to offer the middle class?

A less progressive tax system?
Spending cuts that affect their lives?
No real solutions on health care?
Privatizing social security?

Yes, that will really help. :sarcasm:

[WeDidIt]

19. The Message Is FAR MORE IMPORTANT To Democrats Than Republicans

The lesson to take away from this is simple.

Do. NOT. Overreach.

This was what the Republicans failed to learn. I hope Democrats of all political leanings remember this truth about a diverse polity. You strive for your goals, but you compromise to obtain what is realistic.

[rvablue]

25. Excellent point. And so very, very true! n/t

[WeDidIt]

31. Now think of this bit

For eight years the radical elements of the rightwing in the GOP demanded and was handed whatever they wanted.

And it will all be undone in less than half that time.

Demanding ideological purity will work, but only in the short term. For long term gains, a political party must lead the center to their way of thinking.

[wisteria]

21. A very honest and heartfelt plea to the Republican Party to welcome

differing opinions and exercise tolerance. Not that they will listen to her or heed her warnings, because she is not pure enough for them. They are destroying the party from the inside out. I really believe we may be witnessing the end of the Republican Party and the emergence of another party run by Libertarians.

[Hello_Kitty]

24. This is a laugh. What are the 'basic tenets' they are going to 'reach out' with?

Without those social issues the GOP basically represents the top 1% wealthy.

[thevoiceofreason]

27. If she crosses too, would that make her "Driven Snowe?"

And since the R's want purity, the new catchphrase could be "impure as the driven snow."

[crazylikafox]

34. DUzy

[The Backlash Cometh]

29. Losing Arlen Specter was inevitable..

Once GOP lost political power, they didn't have enough leverage to keep Specter bought.