The Democratic Leadership screws us again.

[Stoic]

Really, they must have this behavior on fast dial.

So we get 60 Democrats in the Senate when Franken finally gets seated two or three months from now. That means a filibuster proof majority EXCEPT that Specter is a card-carrying fuck and will undermine the progressive and liberal agenda at every turn. Instead of telling him that he'd get no committee assignments if he switched I bet they're going to oust some other loyal Dem to placate the fucker.

Then we get the spectacle of the entire Democratic Leadership coming out for Specter in the Democratic primary against a real Democrat, a la Joe Lieberman vs. Ned Lamont.

So instead of watching Specter crash and burn against a hard core right winger in the next Republican primary; a right winger that is sure to fail in the Democratically trending Pennsylvania. We get the booby prize of a Blue Dog's Blue Dog.

The Dems, over and over again, screw us over for the short term perceived "gain". They have no long game. They can't plan for the future.

And Obama is happy with this.

[Bolo Boffin]

1. I don't think committee assignments can change

If it's like the last Congress, that's all nailed shut right now until 2011.

Specter reportedly got "no primary challenge" in the Democratic primary for switching.

[tabatha]

2. Joe Biden played a part in this.

I think he knows what he is doing.

[jsamuel]

3. funny, i don't

[lapfog_1]

4. Yes, but...

I feel that we will pick up at least 1 or 2 more Senate seats in the next election anyway.

And if Specter has promised to vote with us NOW in exchange for not having competition in a primary...

I'll hold my nose and take it.

When we win 1 or 2 more Senate seats, we can then tell LIEberman to go screw himself...

and I suspect that this next term will be Arlen Specters last (assuming he wins as a Democrat).

[NightWatcher]

5. if part of the deal is that he plays along...he plays along

I dont care why he votes Dem as long as he voted Dem.

[John Q. Citizen]

7. Guaranteeing no opposition is inherently un-democratic. It's a short term short sighted

action. It will weaken our party in the future. Of course when humans are riding high, they are often oblivious to such concepts.

If Specter loses to a real Dem in the primary, will he turn around and run as an independent?

[lapfog_1]

9. delete - browser hiccup.

[lapfog_1]

10. Not un-democratic at all... or at least not part of any election law

Primaries are not part of the democratic process, the various parties that wish to compete in the general can select their candidates any way they choose. Draw straws if they wish... or the party "bosses" can meet in a smoke filled room and pick someone (the traditional method).

The Democratic Party probably hasn't PROMISED no opposition, simply promised to not FUND a primary challenger (effectively ending any challenge). And this the same for all incumbent members of the party, so it's nothing special for Specter. But it is likely the only path for Specter to win re-election.

[John Q. Citizen]

14. Yes, parties can choose more or less democratic ways to choose thier candidates.

I never claimed it was against the law.

I asserted it is un-democratic. Which it is.

Small d democracy isn't dependent on law. A party can run their primaries in a democratic fasion, or a strong man can select all candidates in every race everywhere. I wouldn't belong to a party that used the strong man method. Would you?

Most Democratic State Parties don't fund any candidates in their primaries.

You may recall that during the Democratic Presidential Primary, the Party (The DNC, which is the national party) took no sides.



People aren't stupid. The Repos here in MT were furious at their party for shutting out GOP voters in the primary. it was all done by a handful of hand picked delegates to a convention.

I know that didn't help the GOP party here in MT, and I know that if the PA Dems anoint Specter and there are challenger(s) that it will hurt the Dem party in PA and by extension the Dems everywhere.

I generally support democratic means of selecting candidates. If the national leadership is going to conduct a less democratic Senatorial primary in PA, it will hurt us.

[napi21]

6. Stop kicking the gift horse! The Pubs have treated Arlan like shit for YEARS

and I welcome him into a Party where his votes will be appreciated! Welcome Arlan, and thank you!

[anonymous171]

8. We have Specter by the balls. If he fucks with us, we can field a primary challenger against him.

I doubt he will make too many waves.

[librechik]

13. yup--he is our beeotch now--and a co-sponsor of EFCA

looks good even tho I don't trust him any more than Lieberman. These guys seem to think that Beeotch means Queen of the Boardwalk.

This is good for us, since it makes Republicans sad. That is all.

[radfringe]

11. the general assumption seems to be

that if Specter runs in PA as a Dem - he'll win

ummmmmmm....I wouldn't take that assumption to the bank. If/when he officially becomes a Dem - he'll still have to go through the primary and win that

PA is a funny state - it trends DEM along the East and West borders, but NOPer in the middle. the 2010 is a mid-term election, typically low voter turnout - so if you are watching PA polls keep your eye on the ones for the middle of the state - that's NOPer country.

[tekisui]

12. Wait and see, I expect you to be wrong in your early

assessment.