“Specter didn’t vote with the Reps anyway, so does it really matter?”
In a way, yes. If the Senate were 51/49 in favor of the Repubs it would mean that the Repubs get the committee chairmanships, and pretty much control of the agenda. Only in that respect is Spectre important.
Spectre: Special Executive for Crime Terror Revenge and Extortion.
Repubs get the committee chairmanships, and pretty much control of the agenda.
They had this and on paper and couldn’t do anything with because of the likes of McCain, etc.