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 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 ...
Buh-bye, RINO!
what a P.O.S.
Give the Dems a fillibuster proof majority, if Franken finally gets in.
Funny how he finds his balls to finally admit what we already knew..that he’s a Democrat.
Specter just assured that MILLIONS of dollars are going to get poured into Pat Toomey’s campaign coffers from conservative groups across the country.
Under Scottish law, he’s guilty but not proven
Keep reminding yourself—2010 is around the corner!!! Even the hard core liberal extremists will be suffering under this president and congress!!
If he looses the Rat primary,he will run as an independent.
I guess it doesn’t bother Specter that the Democratic Party has moved FAR to the LEFT towards Socialism. Because apparently that’s where he’d like to be.
The RINO finally coughs up.
He knows he’s going to lose his primary.
They already have a filibuster majority since he votes with them anyway.
200,000 changed registration mostly for Operation Chaos, IMHO
Good news in the long run, because the non-conservatives have been exposed for what they are, and they are FINALLY leaving the Party.
I’m sending another twenty to Pat Toomey! At least this saves him the expense of fighting Arlen in the Primary.
Now there are a few RINO’s who supported this jerk who have some splannin to do.
Let’s hope that a democRAT beats him in the RAT primary.
Not defined by party... but by actions. Spector has always been a Dem.
He hss been a demonrat for years. Can Mcain be far behind??
What a pathetic little man.
He should step down now. He no longer represents what the people elected him for. Any time someone switches partys, while in office, should be forced to step down.
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