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 ...
He just did.
Not defined by party, nor by principles.
Is the RNC still going to support him?
Whore.
I would laugh if the Democrats don’t take him.
This is the man that came up with the Kennedy Magic bullet theory.
So this bufoon thinks the Republican party is further to the right than it was during the Reagan years?!
I wish!!
This guy's to stupid to be a Senator. Good Riddance.
Reagan was to the left of the current Republican party? Ha,ha,ha,ha,ha,ha,ha,ha,ha,ha,ha,ha,ha,ha,ha,ha,ha,ha,ha! Must be the afterglow of the chemo. Goodbye rat!
I'm sure that Specter has assurances, written in blood, that neither the DNC nor other Dem groups will endorse or provide support to any Dem challengers in the primary. I don't think Toomey stands much of a chance, no matter how well funded, to Specter especially in a state that went so comfortably for Obama. It's conceivable that Specter gets over 60%.
On the other hand, Specter is old as dirt and a survivor of two bouts of brain cancer. Him being around for the next general election is not a foregone conclusion.
I've heard from somebody that in PA if you lose a primary you cannot go on the ballot as an independent, which may have been his motivating factor.
“Specter just assured that MILLIONS of dollars are going to get poured into Pat Toomey’s campaign coffers from conservative groups across the country.”
Let’s get started today!
http://www.toomeyforsenate.com
THERE WE GO!!!!!! Thanks!
Ya just can’t say enough bad about this p.o.s.
Despite the failing economy, the glue factory business is thriving in PA with Specter and Murtha.
He just did.
That made me laugh! However, this is not a laughing matter. I sent money to Toomey back during the campaign, and couldn't believe that Bush and Santorum backed Specter. I hope both publicly comment on their grave mistake.
Senior Republican Senator Arlen Specter, seen here in January 2009, announced Tuesday that he was becoming a Democrat, boosting President Barack Obama's ability to drive his audacious agenda through the US Congress. (AFP/File/Jim Watson)
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