May 4, 2009
The Specter switch
In an unexpected turn of events on Capital Hill Tuesday, Senator Arlen Specter (R - Pa.) announced his intention to run as a Democrat in the 2010 congressional election. So what's the big deal? Assuming that Al Franken (D - Minn.) is granted a Senate seat after a court hearing scheduled for June 2009, Specter's defection means that Democrats will soon have the 60 seats needed for a filibuster-proof majority.
The response among Democrats was universal and well, predictable. President Barack Obama and Vice President Joseph Biden, who is rumored to have lobbied Specter to make the switch, congratulated the Senator on his decision. Senate Democrats also embraced Specter, extolling his defection as crucial to the swift passage of controversial health care and energy initiatives proposed under the Obama administration.
Blindly optimistic Democrats need to shake themselves from this delusive state. At his press conference on Tuesday, Specter asserted time and again that he will not sacrifice his personal independence or alter his moderate stance on key issues to conform to the Democratic platform. Specter cited his opposition to the Employee Free Choice Act, a Democrat-backed initiative that would remove obstacles to employees who want union representation. "I will not be an automatic 60th vote for cloture," he declared during his address.
Specter first considered changing party membership after his support of the $787 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act - a controversial bailout bill backed by only two other Republicans - triggered a sharp decline in the polls. Although Specter supports gay marriage, abortion rights and the universal health care plan offered by the Obama administration, he remains a devoted advocate for Second Amendment rights and favors school vouchers - positions traditionally held by Republicans.
Specter claims that his growing dissatisfaction with the direction of the Republican Party prompted the switch, but let's be honest. Far from a change in party affiliation on ideological grounds, Specter's decision was a calculated gamble to avoid losing the 2010 congressional election to former Representative Patrick Toomey, who held a 21-point lead over Specter in the days leading up to the announcement. President Obama and Majority Leader Harry Reid (D - Nev.) have already promised to campaign for Specter in Pennsylvania, endorsements he likely anticipated as a reward for his highly visible shift in party lines.
In short, Democrats can't expect Specter to be the dependable 60th cloture vote every time Obama's health care or energy initiatives come under fire from conservatives. In 1965, he lost a Democratic primary for District Attorney in Pennsylvania and switched to the Republican Party to win the general election. Specter's party affiliation at any given moment - and to a greater extent, his stance on the issues - seems to hinge purely on political convenience.
The response among Democrats was universal and well, predictable. President Barack Obama and Vice President Joseph Biden, who is rumored to have lobbied Specter to make the switch, congratulated the Senator on his decision. Senate Democrats also embraced Specter, extolling his defection as crucial to the swift passage of controversial health care and energy initiatives proposed under the Obama administration.
Senator Arlen Specter (R - Pa.) announces his decision to run as a Democrat in the 2010 congressional election at a press conference held Tuesday. Picture courtesy of the Washington Post.
Blindly optimistic Democrats need to shake themselves from this delusive state. At his press conference on Tuesday, Specter asserted time and again that he will not sacrifice his personal independence or alter his moderate stance on key issues to conform to the Democratic platform. Specter cited his opposition to the Employee Free Choice Act, a Democrat-backed initiative that would remove obstacles to employees who want union representation. "I will not be an automatic 60th vote for cloture," he declared during his address.
Specter first considered changing party membership after his support of the $787 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act - a controversial bailout bill backed by only two other Republicans - triggered a sharp decline in the polls. Although Specter supports gay marriage, abortion rights and the universal health care plan offered by the Obama administration, he remains a devoted advocate for Second Amendment rights and favors school vouchers - positions traditionally held by Republicans.
Specter claims that his growing dissatisfaction with the direction of the Republican Party prompted the switch, but let's be honest. Far from a change in party affiliation on ideological grounds, Specter's decision was a calculated gamble to avoid losing the 2010 congressional election to former Representative Patrick Toomey, who held a 21-point lead over Specter in the days leading up to the announcement. President Obama and Majority Leader Harry Reid (D - Nev.) have already promised to campaign for Specter in Pennsylvania, endorsements he likely anticipated as a reward for his highly visible shift in party lines.
In short, Democrats can't expect Specter to be the dependable 60th cloture vote every time Obama's health care or energy initiatives come under fire from conservatives. In 1965, he lost a Democratic primary for District Attorney in Pennsylvania and switched to the Republican Party to win the general election. Specter's party affiliation at any given moment - and to a greater extent, his stance on the issues - seems to hinge purely on political convenience.
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With deep disappointment and indignation I have learned about your decision to switch from Republican Party to a bosom of Democratic Party. I and all my friends and relatives are republicans in our life position and believe. But we are quite loyal and understanding to everyone who does not share our points of view, weather they are democrats or independents or part of any other political group…..
I perfectly understand that being a part of this or that party is a Constitutional right of each individual. I at all do not condemn those who under influence of various circumstances changed the priorities since I have gone through this complex process.
However, you, Mr. Specter, are not simply a Citizen of USA. You, Mr. Spector, are also a Senator! You are one of hundred, using special attentions of our people, people who elected and voted for you and whose interests you have no right or moral obligation to neglect and ignore!
If, after long years of representation of the Republican Party in the Senate, you became disappointed it it’s principals and have decided to switch to competing Party of Democrats, first and most of all you must release your place in the Senate, Mr. Specter!
In fact you were chosen to take a Senate seat by the convinced republicans and representatives of other understanding political groups in hope that you will represent and defend their interests in the areas of a political and public life. And you, Mr. Spector, had decided to spit on all your pre-election promises and pledges and to join the competing party after all! In universal language it refers to as TREACHERY, Mr. Specter!!!!
You have betrayed people who long trusted you and used their kind attitude to you with the sole purpose of getting a prestigious and profitable senatorial rank!
Aren’t you ashamed to face your deceived voters, Mr. Specter? Don’t you wish to give up your place in Senate to the respectable Republican and run for this seat from the Party of ‘Donkeys’ in the next election? I don’t think you will have a chance – if you betrayed once, you can betray again and again……
The person changing his principals at 79 (!!!) years old does not deserve any respect, and you, Mr. Specter, the lawyer, should understand that better than anybody!
I have lived in Pennsylvania for 18 years and I have always voted for you. I deeply regret now that I did not understand then what a small-scale sneaky figure you actually are.
Please, do us all a favor and leave a political arena while there is still a time to forget your mad act, your ‘historical’ role and even your name! It is insulting for me to know that by destiny we belong to the ‘tribe’ and same generation which you so deeply dishonored.
Do not respond to this letter, since there can be no justification to your unthinkable decision.
With no respect,
Mikhail Turetsky