ARLEN SWITCHES!!! WE'RE GONNA GET 60!!!

[backscatter712]

THANK YOU ARLEN!!!

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/thefix/senate/specter-to-switch-parties.html

(though I hope the Senate Democrats keep him on a short leash... ;) )

All we have to do is seat Franken, and we got 60!!! Time to start mowing down the Rethugs!

[cali]

1. we will rue this day.

[L. Coyote]

4. He discovered he could not win re-election. Totally self-serving!!

[KharmaTrain]

20. Yep...But He's Also A Party Line Dude...

My hopes are he's leaving the rushpublicans pissed. He's gotten hosed around from them for the past couple years; especially when he was Judiciary chair. Who knows, he may screw them over like he did to Democrats.

Damn right it's self-serving, but then we're talking about politicians. Inside the beltway it's ALL about them...except when they need our money or votes.

[havocmom]

50. He is a "stick with today's winning team' dude

Would suggest care in what long range strategies DEMS on the Hill let him be privy to.

[havocmom]

49. Agree. Alren's REAL party loyaltiy is to Arlen

Period

[tekisui]

6. We'll see.

We would have had to depend on Specter for many 60th votes, anyway. THis brings him in closer. And, it destroys the repukes.

[laylah]

14. I rarely agree with you Cali; however,

on this I do. This man was a Dem many a year ago (my parents liked him), then he switched sides for whatever reason, and is one I do NOT trust. Thank you for your insight.

[onehandle]

16. yeah. very risky. nt

[backscatter712]

21. Now we've got leverage over him.

Yeah, he's gonna be a DINO, but on a lot of Senate votes, we're the ones that have leverage over him, not the GOP. So much degenerates to strict party-line votes in the Senate, but now on many of those votes, he's gonna be obligated to vote with us.

Of course, he's not gonna do that all the time, and much of the time, he's going to be difficult, but I'd rather have difficult, but can be negotiated with, rather than the GOP's "Party of No" stance that obstructs simply for the sake of obstructing.

[Beetwasher]

26. It's Net Positive (For Now), We Can Always Primary Him

How is his being a Dem and caucucusing w/ us WORSE than his being a Repub??? We have a better shot at cloture votes w/ him as a Dem.

[EOTE]

70. Thank you. I don't know why so many don't understand this. NT.

[knixphan]

71. agreed-

I'll take it. And if nothing else, it'll make O'Reilly pissed--

[backscatter712]

72. Exactly. He's gonna be a pain in the ass, but this is a big win.

We're better served by him as a DINO, than in the actual opposition. We've got leverage over him now, and we can twist his arm to get him to help us break filibusters.

Not on every issue, but a lot of them.

[Marr]

36. I agree.

He's going to be the biggest obstructionist in the place-- and this switch may allow him to avoid being ousted in the next election.

[Lorien]

53. I guess that you's demand to be hung with a new rope.

:eyes:

[tblue37]

84. The Dem leadership will have some leverage over him, since we hold the

chairmanship of the committeees. If he wants to have any heft at all in the Senate, he will have to play ball at least some of the time. He also tends to blow smoke and then do whatever his party leadership tells him to do--and now his party leadership is Dem.

[Arkana]

2. Holy fucking fuck. Has Rushbo done his show today?

He'll be apoplectic with rage--but it means we have to help Specter win in PA rather than try and primary him.

[Laelth]

7. I say primary him, anyway. I don't want him. n/t

:dem:

-Laelth

[Arkana]

9. He's going to hate the Democratic Party as much as he hates the Republicans.

He should have just become an Independent.

[Demoiselle]

12. Agreed.

He just went out of his way, apparently, to say he wouldn't support the Employee Free Choice Act.
This IS purely self serving! I'd love to see a Dem take him down.

[tekisui]

13. If I had to guess, the Dems have him in handcuffs.

If he doesn't play ball as a Dem, he will get a strong Primary challenge.

[Beetwasher]

Correct

He plays ball for the most part or he's gone. Heck, let him vote NO on legislation, as long as he votes FOR CLOTURE.

[Demoiselle]

30. Good point, Beetwasher! (eom)

[Laelth]

33. Very possibly.

And if he gives us the necessary vote to get universal, public-option (at least) health insurance, I'll re-think my position. As it is, I think Mickey Mouse could run as a (D) against Spector in 2010 and win, and Mickey would make a better Democrat.

:dem:

-Laelth

[tigereye]

65. I can't see too many Dems who could beat Specter, lots of Dems have been

voting for him here for years. A lot of people in PA like him since he was so much saner than Santorum - not that that was hard, mind you.

[Laelth]

34. Dupe.

:dem:

-Laelth

Edit:Laelth--dupe.

[backscatter712]

52. That's my bet too.

Nobody trusts a traitor, not even one that betrays for them.

He's not only got the primary threat, but he has millions of dollars of campaign money waiting for him, but contingent on him behaving himself.

Yeah, he's gonna be a DINO rather than a RINO, but it's still a huge net positive for our side.

[rvablue]

77. Exactly. I'm sure there were extenstive talks before this was announced

and it was laid out in no uncertain terms that if he didn't support particular votes then the no primary deal would be off.

[Qutzupalotl]

79. I'll speculate further and suggest

that Biden agreed to lobby the DNC to ensure no support for a Democratic primary challenger to Specter if he switched.

Mind you, this is just speculation, but it's not too far-fetched.

[grantcart]

24. I disagree

This will cause a huge civil war in the Republican party.


I say give them more ammo.



Spector will be a better democrat than some of the ones already here.

[Arkana]

32. On certain things? Yes, he will.

But I'd bet my boots he'll be a Blue Dog the minute he enters the Dem caucus.

[grantcart]

43. My point is that it really signals the end of the Republican Party in the Northeast

The Republican Party is becoming a regional party before our eyes.

This along with the loss of NY 20 is a very big deal.

[Laelth]

47. If Collins and Snowe switch too, I'll agree with you. n/t

:dem:

-Laelth

[Arkana]

48. Maine's not full of crazy people, so Snowe and Collins are safe, I think.

[Marr]

40. He'll be something like Lieberman.

Always ready to stand up and be counted when he isn't actually needed, and absent when he *is* needed.

[grantcart]

45. Yes but the Republican party is effectively gone from the Northeast

[Laelth]

44. Perhaps, but he will prevent a progressive from getting elected to the Senate in 2010.

That's why I say primary him.

:dem:

-Laelth

[Chan790]

58. My guess...

would be that before any thing else happened today he got a promise from the PA Democratic Party to lead-ball anybody who challenged him in the primary...like they did to Chuck Pennacchio, the guy who refused to drop-out and clear the way for Bob Casey in the last Senate primary. Democratic party politics in PA are bloody and authoritarian...it's one of the last political machines still in existence.

[Arkana]

62. Chicago, New York, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Pennsylvania...

Those are the old "machine states".

[Marr]

37. Absolutely.

[rvablue]

75. I turned on Pigboy when I saw this news and he is completely ignoring it.

Can't imagine why?!?!?!?!

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

The call screener has obviously been instructed not to let calls through either, as he's taking calls right now and not one of his idiot dittoheads is bringing it up!

Ah, schadenfraud (sp?).....usually don't like the concept, but it's feeling really, really good right now!

[Vinca]

3. Filibusterproof!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[DURHAM D]

5. I would rather pass him over. He is not a first round draft pick.

[mwb970]

8. Wow, big news!

This might even break through all the swine flu stuff on cable today! Or maybe not.

[Fleshdancer]

10. Doesn't this mean we have a great chance at getting our healthcare?

Doesn't Specter support this?

[DURHAM D]

31. No.

If you are talking about single payer even the White House does not support it.

[Arkana]

55. Yes, if you mean Obama's healthcare plan.

Specter now can vote for it if he wants without having to worry about the GOP.

[backscatter712]

73. Between Specter's switch and the reconciliation fast-track, we're gonna get something.

Full-fledged single-payer is off the table, but there seems to be plenty of room to push for a public option in the health-care reform that is on the table.

[rockymountaindem]

11. Only if he actually votes with us

I don't think this is significant of much other than Specter's desire not to face Toomey in the primary. I hope he gets replaced either way.

[magellan]

42. Exactly, it's not like Specter had an epiphany. n/t

[woodsprite]

15. Now we have 2 'Liebermans'? n/t

[laylah]

18. Good question! nt

[Bluebear]

17. LOL Fox is going nuts

[TimesSquareCowboy]

59. Nothing worse than a wingnut news channel scorned!

[Warpy]

19. In recent years, his rhetoric has been moderate

but his votes have always pleased the party bosses.

I'll believe in his change of heart if his votes start to follow his rhetoric.

The best we can expect from him is another Bayh or Nelson.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

35. his bosses have changed. so maybe his votes will too

[Jack Rabbit]

22. Are you sure this isn't a trade?

Don't the Republicans get Ben Nelson and a member of the House to be named later?

[Bucky]

25. "Pardon me, Senator Nelson, would you jump onto this sinking canoe to help us bail water?"

I'm not seeing it.

[Bucky]

23. Leaving the smallest "Big Tent" in the world for the rave that passes for the Democratic Party

I hope he finds happiness among us. I don't think he's gonna find too much to love in a party that thrives on chaos & internal squabbling.

[dem629]

27. Not really.

His statement clearly says he won't be an automatic vote for cloture. For him to make that clear from the outset is a pretty good sign he's not coming over to be a rubber-stamp.

[Oregone]

28. 60? Big deal. They still "wont have the votes" to do jack shit the country needs.

You got to have the will first

[rcrush]

29. What? is the bar really that low?

That we are excited about Arlen Spector? You really trust this guy?

[DURHAM D]

38. To the right, to the right.

Everything we want in a move to the right.


Irresistible.

[Orsino]

39. Another Red Dog.

What the hell does he get for this, other than the right to speak without raising his hand?

It's really no fun for Republicans, who are used to phoning it in, to have to work for a living. I understand Specter's desire for relevancy, but let's not kid ourselves. This is as much because of the Democratic Party's march rightward as it is due to any burgeoning liberalism in Specter.

[DireStrike]

41. So is he gonna vote for the EFCA now?

That would regain him union support, which he desperately needs. If not, screw him, we primary him anyway.

[backscatter712]

46. My bet is yes.

He's supported EFCA in the past, got armtwisted into joining the GOP filibuster, but I think he realized that without union support, he could not get reelected.

He'll have a "sudden change in heart". A very cynical one, but I'll take what I can get.

[Laelth]

51. I will be pleased if he votes for EFCA.

But didn't he say his position on the EFCA wasn't going to change? Which position isn't changing? His being for it or against it?

:shrug:

:dem:

-Laelth

[backscatter712]

68. Yeah, I just read his statement...

He said he's not changing his mind on EFCA.

But since PA is such a strong union state, and there's still the chance of him getting primaried from our side, I wonder if he can be persuaded to change his mind...

[MessiahRp]

66. He said no in his statement...

"For example, my position on Employees Free Choice (Card Check) will not change."

Rp

[renate]

54. this is great, but Coleman will never quit now

Franken will win eventually, but how long will it take if Coleman keeps whining all the way to the Supreme Court?

Still, despite the effect of this news on the Franken/Coleman election, :woohoo:

[d_b]

56. that's my fear too

if the pubes ever had any thoughts about pulling the plug on Coleman they're gone now.

[nichomachus]

63. He's already kept Franken from his rightful place for four months

They'll keep this up for another two years.

The Dems need to just seat Franken and let the GOP take it to the Supreme Court.

[TimesSquareCowboy]

57. Wow, a lot of downers on this board!

Celebrate - I'm betting there are more to come myself. This just makes the Republicans look weaker and weaker and underscores the theme that the Republicans' only strategy right now is obstructionism, which many are going to reject.

[harun]

60. Filibuster that McConnel!

[backscatter712]

74. I can see McConnell in his office, with a bottle of whiskey and a revolver on his desk...

I'd love to see the expression on his face right now... :evilgrin:

[tigereye]

61. this is so great! I'm so happy!

:woohoo: (I always liked him, sorry. He's been a sane voice in our state for many years, not perfect, but not crazy like Santorum, and pro-choice, unlike many other politicos here)

[yowzayowzayowza]

64. Blessed feces!!! n/t

[MessiahRp]

67. YAY FOR MORE RIGHT LEANING OBSTRUCTIONIST DEMS!!!

Yuck. :puke:

Rp

[Fire1]

83. Ditto.

[Fuzz]

69. I'd rather not have him. Have him start a party with Lieberman

[Lucian]

76. Yay...now the Dems have another DINO.

:eyes:

[harun]

82. He's going to be more of a Dem than DiFi, Bayh and Landrieu.

[Two Americas]

78. "we?"

I belong to no "we" that includes him.

[breakroomlive]

80. A Conservative listener of Marc's radio show calls BRL to chat with Marc.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H156Rrc0iL4

[malaise]

81. I'll take it

I only want 60