"I have not represented the Republican party."No kidding? What a douche.
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 ...
"I have not represented the Republican party."“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’s all about you.
“Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell once switched from the Dems to the Republicans...”
So did Richard Shelby.
Lieberman is very happy with Obama.
It took you four decades to figure that out?
You opposed virtually everything the conservatives stood for and your surprised that they don't want you as their candidate?
But... but... but... we need to support Specter in order to help the party. But... but... but... we need to support Specter to keep a Democrat out. But... but... but.. we need to support Specter because he can get elected.
He voted for Porkulus. He never should have. He loved to claim he was a "fiscal conservative". He should have been leading the charge against Porkulus.
He voted for Porkulus because he thought it would get him reelected against a prospective Democrat challenger in 2010. It never crossed his mind that the blowback against Porkulus would take him down in the Republican primary.
His naivety on this left him in survival mode. If he can't win reelection as a Republican, strike a deal with the Democrats.
At least Joe Lieberman, when faced with a similar situation, had the guts to run as an independent.
Specter is a loser who wants a do-over.
> Is the RNC still going to support him?
Possibly. They will do it by withholding funds from the Republican nominee.
It’s about time he came out of the closet. Now we must all put our time, money, and support behind an actual conservative, Pat Toomey. Hey Arlen, have all of those sensitive dumbasses that cheered your cancer diagnosis and wished death upon you called to apologize yet?
This is a disaster from a Washington point of view. He went from not being a slave to the Republican party and he’ll end up being a slave to the Democratic party.
At least before I could appreciate him not bowing to party orders even when I disagreed with him.
Is it cruel to note that he surely didn’t mind having his record judged by the Republican electorate of Pennsylvania for all the years they were voting for him?
Folks, it’s the end of “Robocop”, except instead of the Old Man firing Dick Jones, Dick just fired himself.
Thank you, Senator. Nothing personal, you understand. Just business.
Thanks for nothing Arlen.
Nonsense, he is only about himself. He'll fit in nicely w/ the dhimmis.
And Franken makes 60. Thanks a lot, jerk!
Has anyone asked Cornyn if he is still going to back Specter as a democrat?
“Since my election in 1980, as part of the Reagan Big Tent, the Republican Party has moved far to the right. “
Never forget that “the right” is where America’s values lie. “The right” is about individual freedom, each individual’s search for fulfillment, rejection of conformist oppression, freedom to enjoy the products of one’s labor, freedom to raise a family and live without oppressive government interference, freedom to believe and live one’s beliefs, freedom to think and say without censure, freedom to associate and to move about, and freedom to pursue one’s own dreams. That troubles a politician who doesn’t care about innocent lives sacrificed for convenience, or about taxes that put the lion’s share of individual’s labor earnings in the hands of politicians to distribute to others to garner votes, or about laws and rules that discriminate among the races, hinder development, and weaken the education of our children. Where is the dignity in such a man?
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.