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Specter's statement: "Not defined" by party
Politico via Drudge ^ | April 28, 2009 | Arlen Specter

Posted on 04/28/2009 9:26:22 AM PDT by pillut48

Statement by Senator Arlen Specter

I have been a Republican since 1966. I have been working extremely hard for the Party, for its candidates and for the ideals of a Republican Party whose tent is big enough to welcome diverse points of view. While I have been comfortable being a Republican, my Party has not defined who I am. I have taken each issue one at a time and have exercised independent judgment to do what I thought was best for Pennsylvania and the nation.

Since my election in 1980, as part of the Reagan Big Tent, the Republican Party has moved far to the right. Last year, more than 200,000 Republicans in Pennsylvania changed their registration to become Democrats. I now find my political philosophy more in line with Democrats than Republicans.

Since then, I have traveled the State, talked to Republican leaders and office-holders and my supporters and I have carefully examined public opinion. It has become clear to me that the stimulus vote caused a schism which makes our differences irreconcilable. On this state of the record, I am unwilling to have my twenty-nine year Senate record judged by the Pennsylvania Republican primary electorate.

I have not represented the Republican Party.

I have represented the people of Pennsylvania.

I have decided to run for re-election in 2010 in the Democratic primary.

I am ready, willing and anxious to take on all comers and have my candidacy for re-election determined in a general election.

I deeply regret that I will be disappointing many friends and supporters. I can understand their disappointment. I am also disappointed that so many in the Party I have worked for for more than four decades do not want me to be their candidate. It is very painful on both sides.

(Excerpt) Read more at politico.com ...


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Extended News; Government; News/Current Events; US: Pennsylvania
KEYWORDS: 111th; agenda; bushlegacy; democrats; dieapainfuldeath; pa2010; pennsylvania; rino; rovelegacy; specter; sphincter; turncoat
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To: pillut48

I hope some more RINOs do the same, maybe then we can get back to being real Republicans with a sense of purpose and some hardrock principles with conservative values. Specter seems to think the Senate cannot function without him. What a pathetic character he really is.


181 posted on 04/28/2009 12:19:15 PM PDT by Maryhere (Maryhere)
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To: Oldexpat

If who loses?


182 posted on 04/28/2009 12:21:56 PM PDT by Red_Devil 232 (VietVet - USMC All Ready On The Right? All Ready On The Left? All Ready On The Firing Line!)
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To: pillut48

I hope some more RINOs do the same, maybe then we can get back to being real Republicans with a sense of purpose and some hardrock principles with conservative values. Specter seems to think the Senate cannot function without him. What a pathetic character he really is.


183 posted on 04/28/2009 12:23:12 PM PDT by Maryhere (Maryhere)
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To: pillut48
When I supported the stimulus package, I knew that it would not be popular with the Republican Party.

Can you say this a little louder Arlen? I want every voter in America to know which party supported this disaster!

184 posted on 04/28/2009 12:38:15 PM PDT by jellybean (Who is John Galt? ~ Bookmark http://altfreerepublic.freeforums.org for when FR is down)
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To: pillut48

Enjoy your live roast now Arlen, you will certainly have less fun in hell.


185 posted on 04/28/2009 12:44:02 PM PDT by Danae (Amerikan Unity My Ass)
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To: pillut48

Ah, the wolf removes the sheeps clothing at last.


186 posted on 04/28/2009 12:55:44 PM PDT by SoldierDad (Proud Dad of a U.S. Army Infantry Soldier presently instructing at Ft. Benning.)
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To: pillut48
I am unwilling to have my twenty-nine year Senate record judged by the Pennsylvania Republican primary electorate.

Well, since you are--uh, were--a Pennsylvania Republican, is it really all that unreasonable to suppose that "the Pennsylvania Republican primary electorate" should judge your record, Senator?

Never mind...

187 posted on 04/28/2009 1:07:08 PM PDT by AmericanExceptionalist (Democrats believe in discussing the full spectrum of ideas, all the way from far left to center-left)
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To: Eagles6

I just did.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2239800/posts


188 posted on 04/28/2009 1:15:27 PM PDT by big truck
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To: Wisconsinlady
getting in touch with Specter!!!!

I twiced called to Pittsburgh and got voice mail, but his box was full, told to call back later.

then called Washington ton of times and always busy, so I went to e~mail, wrote our feeling, was not nice and it went through...I usually get a response that they have received my mail and will be in contact shortly, have not received that response this time...

I live in Somerset County where we experienced Flight#93 on 9/11/01, it is rural country and he just over looks us VOTERS here...

I'm so sick of OBAMA and Democrats that I weep for our Nation, can we ever recover???

189 posted on 04/28/2009 1:17:31 PM PDT by haircutter
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To: My Favorite Headache

He will be 80 years old in Feb. 2010....old as dirt, I’ve noticed he is having trouble walking, soon he will be sleeping like the WV Byrd, but hey this is their career!!

TERM LIMITS


190 posted on 04/28/2009 1:21:53 PM PDT by haircutter
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To: pillut48

I’d say he’s given every donor to his campaigns grounds for a fraud suit, or in a better world he should have.

He had an R next to his name, and rode that pony through several good years for that party.

I also think the country is screwed, big-time. And that we could indeed be in the End Times.

Sometimes all I have is my faith. But it’s enough.


191 posted on 04/28/2009 1:30:01 PM PDT by cvq3842
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To: sheik yerbouty

I like Arlen “Gang of 1” Specter. He’ll be the center of attention now with both sides lobbying him, not to mention the MSM


192 posted on 04/28/2009 1:38:48 PM PDT by hugorand
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To: All

term limits are the only cure to abolish future intrusion of socialism. That and a lot of prayer.

One RINO down how many more to go?


193 posted on 04/28/2009 1:41:28 PM PDT by navymom1 (Save Free Speech, defeat the Fairness Doctrine)
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To: pillut48

Senator Sphincter’s move to the RAT party is okay. They were blackmailing him since clinton’s impeachment.


194 posted on 04/28/2009 1:58:52 PM PDT by Rapscallion (Is America's future written in Atlas Shrugged?)
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To: pillut48

Well, I’ll define you Benedict Specter: You’re a walking turd in an overpriced suit. You’re a sellout. You’re a lying hypocritical son of a swine and dog. You make me ill. You are a f****** treasonous Piece of S**** swilling off the public teat. And on the day you depart this earth and are buried, it is my greatest desire to show up at your stone, drink the most foul tasting six-pack of beer I can obtain (Cave’s Creek Chili Beer) and then shall p*** all over your grave and headstone, then have my dig do his business on top of it.


195 posted on 04/28/2009 2:51:36 PM PDT by theDentist (qwerty ergo typo : i type, therefore i misspell.)
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To: pillut48

So, Senator Cornyn, what do you have to say about THIS, considering that you already have endorsed this RAT!


196 posted on 04/28/2009 3:12:04 PM PDT by Virginia Ridgerunner (Sarah Palin is a smart missile aimed at the heart of the left!)
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To: pillut48
Did you hear him say at the press meeting that he will not allow the REPUBLICAN electorate determine is political futures??!!!!!

OMG..talk about your MESSIAH mentality

197 posted on 04/28/2009 3:31:10 PM PDT by Paul46360
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To: pillut48

[Since my election in 1980, as part of the Reagan Big Tent, the Republican Party has moved far to the right.

BS!

POS LIAR. The GOP has moved to the left. If is a BIG LIE perpetuated by the left that it has moved to the right.


198 posted on 04/28/2009 3:40:17 PM PDT by KansasGirl
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To: pillut48

Good riddance you turncoat POS. I wish you nothing but the worst Arlen.


199 posted on 04/28/2009 3:41:57 PM PDT by mojitojoe ( Idiots elected a Marxist ideologue with narcissistic personality disorder & America is dying.)
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To: MAD-AS-HELL

You can be assured the amoral, selfish RINO was given a nice signing bonus by his demrat buddies.

Once again, I would like to congratulate the Pennsylvanians who elect miscreats like Specter, Rendell and Murtha to “govern” them. Obviously they’re way smarter than I am.

The rant aside, I’m happy to see Specter finally admit who he is and move on. Aside from what ever incentive he’s being given by demrats, it’s probably the only honest thing he’s ever done in his life.


200 posted on 04/28/2009 3:42:48 PM PDT by dools007
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