Arlen Specter switches parties

**Crazyswordsman** · 04-29-2009, 08:51 PM

What do you guys think about this? Frankly I think that yes, he did it as a political maneuver. But I think the Republican Party abandoned him first by starting to funnel money to Pat Toomey's campaign.

And I also don't think the Democrats will be able to do everything they want to. Specter will have an independent mind and Democrats know this (and frankly I hope he stays that way; there are many things I disagree with the Dems on, just fewer than with the Republicans).

And if there's any proof that Republicans are moving further and further to the right, Utah's Republican governor was banned from a Republican fundraiser for being too moderate. -CSM

ZeldaGirl · 04-29-2009, 09:03 PM

It's totally political. I just don't know why he didn't just register Independent, though...

**Crazyswordsman** · 04-29-2009, 10:03 PM

^More voting clout and a brand name, probably. -CSM

***CaptHayfever*** · 04-30-2009, 01:32 AM

Of course it's a political ploy; he said as much in an interview.

And remember, "I'm-a Luigi, number one!"

t3hDarkness · 04-30-2009, 01:42 AM

He has our attention, now what's he going to do?

ZeldaGirl · 04-30-2009, 01:42 AM

I'd be amused if he loses his ticket on the Democratic side.

**Crazyswordsman** · 04-30-2009, 06:18 AM

^Do you really want Pat Toomey to take his place? Toomey was the president of the very conservative Club for Growth for a few years, which endorses only very radical right wingers. -CSM

heh · 04-30-2009, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crazyswordsman

^Do you really want Pat Toomey to take his place? Toomey was the president of the very conservative Club for Growth for a few years, which endorses only very radical right wingers. -CSM

The democratic side, dude. As in, a different democrat would run.

Which I would prefer honestly

ZeldaGirl · 04-30-2009, 12:59 PM

^That's what I meant, CSM.

Being very moderate, he could very well lose, easily.

Lurch1982 · 04-30-2009, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZeldaGirl

It's totally political. I just don't know why he didn't just register Independent, though...

Money and support. He could go independent, but he'd have to fund the thing entirely out of pocket with no national support against TWO opponents.

Dems want him because he's a senior senator, he has a ton of sway, and he should be able to carry the state without any problems (the concern wasn't the general election, but the GOP primary).

If he was thrown into the GOP primary, he was expected to lose relatively narrowly (55-45, 60/40 at the most). As a dem, he's going to pull Republicans in the general (like he pulled Dems historically).

I doubt they're even going to run anyone viable (the up and coming candidates are going to be told to hold off for an election cycle or two). People will run, but I wouldn't think they're going to get DNC support out of the deal. Last thing they'd want is a Lieberman problem in PA.

Metal Man · 04-30-2009, 05:34 PM

It's a funny little event, which makes me wonder if any others in Specter's situation will also switch, and also makes me wonder if the Norm Coleman mess will ever be resolved any time soon.

Lurch1982 · 04-30-2009, 06:04 PM

I don't really mind Coleman's mess. Vote counts should be accurate.

Spector will likely be the highest profile shift (though I wouldn't rule out Lieberman shifting to the GOP at some point), but expect to see it through the House of Reps, and certainly through state/local elections.

**Crazyswordsman** · 04-30-2009, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZeldaGirl

^That's what I meant, CSM.

Being very moderate, he could very well lose, easily.

I hope he doesn't. He's a friend of railroads, transit, and railroad and transit promoters.

And yes, it was political because being a Democrat is the only way you'll get somewhere if you're not in the party of Michelle Bachmann's army. -CSM

04-29-2009, 08:51 PM	#1
Crazyswordsman This key doesn't work. Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Booyaville (yeah!) Gender: Posts: 10,791 Thanks: 1,019 Thanked 686 Times in 467 Posts	Arlen Specter switches parties What do you guys think about this? Frankly I think that yes, he did it as a political maneuver. But I think the Republican Party abandoned him first by starting to funnel money to Pat Toomey's campaign. And I also don't think the Democrats will be able to do everything they want to. Specter will have an independent mind and Democrats know this (and frankly I hope he stays that way; there are many things I disagree with the Dems on, just fewer than with the Republicans). And if there's any proof that Republicans are moving further and further to the right, Utah's Republican governor was banned from a Republican fundraiser for being too moderate. -CSM

04-29-2009, 09:03 PM	#2
ZeldaGirl Awesome member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Why do YOU want to know...? Gender: Posts: 15,896 Thanks: 1,130 Thanked 1,919 Times in 1,046 Posts	It's totally political. I just don't know why he didn't just register Independent, though...

04-29-2009, 10:03 PM	#3
Crazyswordsman This key doesn't work. Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Booyaville (yeah!) Gender: Posts: 10,791 Thanks: 1,019 Thanked 686 Times in 467 Posts	^More voting clout and a brand name, probably. -CSM

04-30-2009, 01:32 AM	#4
*CaptHayfever* Smash SuperMod Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: (n) - the place where I am Gender: Posts: 27,661 Thanks: 1,991 Thanked 2,486 Times in 1,513 Posts	Of course it's a political ploy; he said as much in an interview. And remember, "I'm-a Luigi, number one!"

04-30-2009, 01:42 AM	#5
t3hDarkness Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: I weep oily black tears of joy. Gender: Posts: 7,590 Thanks: 119 Thanked 418 Times in 306 Posts Blog Entries: 5	He has our attention, now what's he going to do?

04-30-2009, 06:18 AM	#7
Crazyswordsman This key doesn't work. Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Booyaville (yeah!) Gender: Posts: 10,791 Thanks: 1,019 Thanked 686 Times in 467 Posts	^Do you really want Pat Toomey to take his place? Toomey was the president of the very conservative Club for Growth for a few years, which endorses only very radical right wingers. -CSM

04-30-2009, 12:59 PM	#9
ZeldaGirl Awesome member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Why do YOU want to know...? Gender: Posts: 15,896 Thanks: 1,130 Thanked 1,919 Times in 1,046 Posts	^That's what I meant, CSM. Being very moderate, he could very well lose, easily.

04-30-2009, 05:34 PM	#11
Metal Man Fairy-Slaying Maniac Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: 1592 Miles Away From Here Gender: Posts: 18,062 Thanks: 148 Thanked 683 Times in 482 Posts	It's a funny little event, which makes me wonder if any others in Specter's situation will also switch, and also makes me wonder if the Norm Coleman mess will ever be resolved any time soon.

04-30-2009, 06:04 PM	#12
Lurch1982 Senior Member Join Date: May 2000 Location: DenCo Gender: Posts: 9,850 Thanks: 127 Thanked 365 Times in 192 Posts	I don't really mind Coleman's mess. Vote counts should be accurate. Spector will likely be the highest profile shift (though I wouldn't rule out Lieberman shifting to the GOP at some point), but expect to see it through the House of Reps, and certainly through state/local elections.