Posted on 04/28/2009 4:02:57 PM PDT by autumnraine
Pennsylvania Sen. Arlen Specter will switch parties and run for reelection in November 2010 as a Democrat, he announced today, a decision that could have wide-ranging consequences for the Senate and President Obama's agenda.
Specter told reporters that he received a "bleak" poll Friday from his advisers that showed virtually no chance of him winning in the GOP primary next spring against Pat Toomey, a former Republican House member who recently led the conservative Club for Growth.
He said that the loss of several hundred thousand GOP voters who left the party in 2008 to vote in the Democratic presidential primary left the Pennsylvania Republican Party too conservative to support a moderate such as him. "I have found myself increasingly at odds with the Republican Party," Specter said.
After more than 28 years in the Senate, Specter acknowledged he was "not prepared to have that record" obliterated by the conservative primary electorate. He reached the decision over the weekend in consultation with his family and top aides, many of whom are staying with him despite his party switch.
He said informed Republican and Democratic Senate leaders about dinnertime last night.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
After all this time this is the first honest thing this man has ever done.
I don’t see anything honest about it. He ran as a republican,asked for republican funds and when he screws up his voting record he switches sides so he can remain a senator. It was time for him to retire with grace but it looks like that is out.
Don’t let the door hit your sorry ass on the way out of the GOP. I can think of a couple more RINO senators I wish would do this. As much as I despise craven political animals like Specter, I applaud this move on his part. The fool, he thinks democrats will love him and support him against Toomey. I can’t wait to see him get creamed. Democrats don’t support democrat-lites any more than they supported John McCain, and that’s all he is.
This jerk is changing parties because he was going to get his useless rear handed to him in the GOP primary. Also, he switched parties long ago, he’s just making it official now...
While I understand the sentiment, we don’t want too many sitting RINO’s switching teams as this WOULD give the Dems that filibuster-proof majority they so desperately want.
Who the heck cares? he’s always been a dem anyway? Good riddance to him...he had to get out because he knew he would lose in the next election. He was a RHINO anyway...bye, bye R-Lin... I’d send you some flowers but...I just broke my shoelace and I have to fix it.
The plantation votes as the Massa says to.
The several hundred thousand people”who left the party in 08” changed registration for the purpose of voting against clintoon in the primary. Another of snarlin arlen”s lies..
No principles, just power lust. At his age he could retire but he just can't let go of power.
In other words, a natural Democrat. And we have known that about “Magic Bullet” Sphincter for a long time.
Penn. Sen. Arlen Specter to Switch to Democratic Party
And exactly how will Pennsylvanians be able to tell that he has????
Don't count on it. PA is turning blue and he has name recognition. And Dems want 61 votes. Toomey was doing well in a REPUBLICAN primary but heads up in the general he may not now. Look for Dems to throw money at this.
I can’t wait to see him get creamed.
to your quote
There is a guy who will be 80 in 2010. You would think that he would want to go out with some honor. But no, he’s got to debase himself in an effort to hold on to power well into his 80s. He should just exit the political stage with some sembalance of dignity.
The world turned upside down.
IOW, I don't foresee Toomey winning.
searching for specter shows lots of articles about it.
now pelosi is so thrilled, she won’t have to explain how those pesky minority republicans can stop her lefty gravy train.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.