Senator Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania announced an unexpected switch of political loyalties on Tuesday, saying that he was leaving the Republican Party because it had shifted far to the right of his views. This along with the fact that he did not think he could overcome a primary challenge next year. Mr. Specter acknowledged that his decision to change parties was driven by his intense desire to win that sixth term.
Specter claims he will bring a centrist approach to governance that will be about solutions to problems such as health care, climate change, immigration, and fiscal balancing. However before super specter can solve the world’s problems he first needs to win over democrats. Specter has mentioned that he is "comfortable" with how Mr. Obama is conducting his presidency and apparently Obama is just as comfortable with Specter.
In a brief conversation with Specter, the president said, “You have my full support”. The president added that Democrats are “thrilled to have you.” As a democrat, “thrilled” wouldn’t exactly be the word I’d use considering his many positions that put him at odds with democrats such as voting to authorize the war in Iraq, backing President George W. Bush’s Supreme Court nominees, and favoring school vouchers. How is it that a Republican Senator of nearly three decades suddenly feels he doesn’t belong to that party? I question his loyalty to anyone but himself.
However I wouldn’t throw him under the bus just yet. In all fairness, Mr. Specter was one of just three Republican senators to vote in favor of the stimulus package this year. He is a supporter of abortion rights and expanded embryonic stem cell research, and he opposed a constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage. It seems as though he is making an effort to earn his democratic stripes.
President Obama is not the only White House official to welcome Specter with open arms. Vice President Biden had been at the center of the effort to persuade Mr. Specter to change parties. Mr. Biden and Mr. Specter had spoken 14 times — six times in person and eight in telephone conversations. In each case, White House officials said, Mr. Biden argued that the Republican Party had increasingly drifted away from Mr. Specter since the election and that ideologically, he was closer to the Democratic Party.
This defection by Specter creates the potential for Democrats to control 60 votes in the Senate if Al Franken prevails this summer in the court fight over Minnesota Senate election, in which recounts show a slight edge over the Republican incumbent, Norm Coleman.
Many Republicans were far from heartbroken by Specters political switch. Michael Steele, chairman of the Republican National Committee, did not hold back when he claimed Specter “left to further his personal political interests because he knew that he was going to lose a Republican primary due to his left-wing voting record.”
Republican Senator Snowe of Maine is part of the small group of moderates that understand Specter’s decision. In an op-ed piece for the New York Times, she expressed her unhappiness with the way the party has been marginalizing its constituents. Conservative Republicans have created a harsh political environment in which moderates no longer feel welcome. She argues that the party can not survive without moderates and that an expansion of diversity within the party would broaden its appeal.
"http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/29/opinion/29snowe.html?_r=1&bl&ex=1241150400&en=408e0c2fd77cf45c&ei=5087%0A"
It seems that a reevaluation of the Republican Party is in order. Is their room for moderates in a conservative party?
I've been paying close attention to this story during the last week or so. While I question whether or not Sen. Specter will last (is he going to run as a Democrat for his sixth term? I suppose his voting record over the next few months will determine any challenges) I am glad to have him.
ReplyDeleteThough to be honest, I am a little scared of what a filibuster-proof Democratic government will do (excessive social welfare spending anyone?) it should give Barack Obama and his administration a fighting chance to enforce some of the reforms he's promised.
I wonder how many times that warmonger Lieberman's (don't get me started) phone rang after this announcement. As far as I'm concerned the score's tied now. 1-1.
I think you will probably be told that you didnt link the article into media enough. However, I was interested in your topic and enjoyed reading your blog. This is a very interesting subject and the post was well written I would just tie it into class material before the final check.
ReplyDeleteFirst off - I definitely beat you in the Arlen Specter punny title competition.
ReplyDeleteGood work on including Olympia Snowe's op-ed, it is a great example of a politician utilizing the media to address her constituents and the general public.
You probably would benefit from including more specific references to the media coverage (plus you have some typos that need fixing), but over all I think this post is very well informed and you have taken an interesting approach to the issue.
Overall, you did a very good job. You explained Specter's transition well, as you indicated the possible positives and negatives. You also did a good job by making your post easy on the eyes, with visuals and videos. You prolly need to incorporate the media's response to the transition and not just Obama's.
ReplyDeleteGood job, it was an interesting read
Interesting blog. Like it has been mentioned, try to focus a little more on the media's role in this. Have there been any polls in Pennsylvania? How do the voters feel about this?
ReplyDeleteOr, you could talk about whether or not he left because the republican party has no room for moderates or because he wants to win in the election.
Are these connected? If so how?
This is a really good blog,these are just some questions that come to mind. It's good to give information but I would like to see you analyze some of it or give your opinion.
GOOD JOB!