Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Why (and how) Specter voted for the Stimulus
The New York Times ^ | 2/13/09 | Gardiner Harris

Posted on 02/14/2009 12:13:58 AM PST by malkee

Democrats began to press Mr. Specter, saying he would get the $10 billion increase only if he promised to vote for the eventual bill. Mr. Specter pushed back, saying he was concerned about the size of the bill and its mix of tax credits and spending.

“I really do not make deals,” he said. And while he had promised Mr. Durbin nothing, the Illinois senator had made him a promise. As Mr. Durbin recalled, at a Super Bowl party at the White House on Feb. 1, “I told him, ‘I’m keeping my word.’ ”

More hard bargaining was ahead. Mr. Specter’s support was in doubt until the very end. And once he voted for the bill, Mr. Durbin said that he made sure that the additional $10 billion for the N.I.H. was protected in conference negotiations with the House.

Pat White, vice president for federal relations at the Association of American Universities, said that the past week had been one of most important in the health institute’s recent history, and that the credit went largely to Mr. Specter.

“He turned his support of N.I.H. into the fulcrum of the entire stimulus negotiations,” Mr. White said.

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


TOPICS: Government; Politics/Elections; US: Pennsylvania
KEYWORDS: arlensphincter; congress; pork; porkbarrel; porkulus; rinopurge; scottish; sellout; specter; stimulus; superbowl; welfare
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 41-6061-8081-100101-105 next last
To: JaneNC

I think the spelling is stimuless.


61 posted on 02/14/2009 5:41:11 AM PST by depressed in 06 (I'm becoming nostalgic for the incompetence of Carter.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: malkee
A poll in the print edition of our morning fishwrap Pittsburgh Tribune-Review shows 87% of those who took the telephone poll do not think Specter deserves to be re-elected. He may as well switch parties now and run as a Democrat, then try to sell himself as a moderate to the mushy middle.

If Toomey wants a primary rematch, Specter is toast. Personally, I think Toomey would be better running for governor, but we need to find a good primary opponent for Spector now. Not a nice guy and political neophyte like Lynn Swann, but a good organizer and street fighter.

62 posted on 02/14/2009 5:49:37 AM PST by Vigilanteman (Are there any men left in Washington? Or, are there only cowards? Ahmad Shah Massoud)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: malkee

As with all whores and politicians, their price is negotiable.


63 posted on 02/14/2009 5:54:19 AM PST by Pistolshot ("Democrats don't show respect, they just demand respect " - ClearCase_guy)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: malkee

Steele and the RNC should jetison these three traitors now like the Tenn. GOP did with its RINO house speaker. That would show leadership and help the party and the County in the long term.

The three traitors can then join Bernie Sanders as socialist - independent senators. They have more in common with Bernie afterall.


64 posted on 02/14/2009 6:01:06 AM PST by TMA62 (TMA62)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: PalmettoMason

Do not stick all of us with the Murtha district. We have a conservative GOP congress critter in this district. Specter has so much money in his warchest he is hard to beat. There is only one way Specter and some of the other old guys will give up the seat in the senate. Feet first.


65 posted on 02/14/2009 6:09:31 AM PST by oldironsides
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 33 | View Replies]

To: meyer
Nice take on an old adage. Specter really is a whore who will never get another vote from me for eternity. I saw this coming a long time ago. That's why I voted for Toomey in the last Republican primary against “Scottish law” Specter. He's an embarrassment to the Country, the Commonwealth, and himself. RINO trash doesn't begin to reach the depths to which I despise him.
66 posted on 02/14/2009 6:21:58 AM PST by RU88 (The false messiah can not change water into wine any more than he can get unity from diversity.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 40 | View Replies]

To: TxAnn56

True, at least a professional whore gives something for money paid.

This louse just took the money and we will all pay.


67 posted on 02/14/2009 6:24:09 AM PST by Carley (President Obama ~ Leaving No Tax Cheat Behind)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 59 | View Replies]

To: malkee

Does she live in Pa?


68 posted on 02/14/2009 6:38:59 AM PST by thethirddegree
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: malkee

“I really do not make deals,” he said.”

Until he made one.


69 posted on 02/14/2009 6:49:07 AM PST by headstamp 2 (Been here before)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: WaterBoard
specter is just another lying and corrupt liberal.

LLS

70 posted on 02/14/2009 7:09:42 AM PST by LibLieSlayer (hussein will NEVER be my president... NEVER!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 48 | View Replies]

To: malkee

Now I think I know what Specter’s greatest fear is. It’s the ‘Fear of Death’.


71 posted on 02/14/2009 7:22:21 AM PST by AIC
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: RatsDawg
Rick Santorum should run against him in the primaries!

Good idea! Go get him, Rick!

72 posted on 02/14/2009 7:23:43 AM PST by Chieftain (Specter, Snow, Collins - 3 R.I.N.O. Stooges that need to get OUT the GOP!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 53 | View Replies]

To: malkee

I know Specter, and the truth is not in him. -Robert Bork


73 posted on 02/14/2009 7:28:55 AM PST by windsorknot
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Dr. Scarpetta

Looking at that pic reminded me of a Black Sabbath song, War Pigs:

Politicians gathered in their masses
Just like witches at black masses
Evil minds that plot destruction
Sorcerers of death's construction

http://www.myspace.wolfspiritden.com/Music/Player/War%20Pigs.mp3

74 posted on 02/14/2009 7:37:10 AM PST by XR7
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 56 | View Replies]

War Pigs - Porkulus
75 posted on 02/14/2009 7:38:02 AM PST by XR7
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 74 | View Replies]

To: CMAC51
He is just another Peloestinian launching pork salvos into the middle class!
76 posted on 02/14/2009 7:43:50 AM PST by NickFlooding (Canceling out liberal votes since 1972.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: AdmSmith; Berosus; Convert from ECUSA; dervish; Ernest_at_the_Beach; Fred Nerks; justiceseeker93; ..

White House provides plane to senator for key stimulus vote
CNN | 2/13/2009
Posted on 02/13/2009 9:41:35 PM PST by james500
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2185422/posts

The White House has provided the use of a government airplane to a key Democratic senator in order to ensure the availability of what may prove to be the deciding 60th vote in favor of the $787 billion economic stimulus package.


77 posted on 02/14/2009 8:09:30 AM PST by SunkenCiv (https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate/____________________ Profile updated Monday, January 12, 2009)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: XR7

You’re right...


78 posted on 02/14/2009 8:10:16 AM PST by Dr. Scarpetta
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 74 | View Replies]

To: RatsDawg
"Rick Santorum should run against him in the primaries!"

Rick Santorum and Bush are the only reason Spector is in the Senate. They ran endless ads in the primary against Pat Toomey and Spector won 51%-49%. I still remember the ad "Pat Toomey is not far right, he's far out". I still hold that against Santorum.

79 posted on 02/14/2009 8:22:59 AM PST by Anomoly99 (Anomoly (sp) - Sorry, A product of Public Schools)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 53 | View Replies]

To: malkee
Turns out Laura Ingraham was right. That Superbowl Party at the White House was important....

Were all three Republican Judases present?

80 posted on 02/14/2009 9:09:33 AM PST by Mad_Tom_Rackham (The committed will surely dominate the complacent.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 41-6061-8081-100101-105 next last

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.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson