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RINO Specter Officially a Jackass
By Greg L | 28 April 2009 | National Politics, US Senate | 40 Comments
Guest post by Sanford D. Horn
This just in: former RINO Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania has made it official just moments ago that he is leaving the GOP and returning to his Philadelphia Democratic Party roots, in what is no doubt a desperate attempt to hang on the Senate seat to he currently clings.
Specter announced he will run in the 2010 Democratic primary. Quite frankly, if Specter had any integrity, he would do as Phil Gramm did years ago when the then Democratic Congressman, first elected in 1978 and won two subsequent reelection bids, resigned in January 1983 to run in a special election a month later as a Republican. Gramm also served in the Senate from 1985 to 2003.
Specter should resign immediately and a special election should be held. If the voters want Specter to serve them as a Democrat they can return him to the Senate; if not, he ought to be replaced. Pat Toomey, an announced GOP challenger to Specter will probably find a clear path to the Republican nomination.
Specter has served in the United States Senate since 1981 as an unreliable Republican whom I have criticized in the past for his disastrous votes on issues such as the budget, bailouts and the support of numerous political appointees for whom support should not have been given. He, along with both Maine RINO Senators Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe secured passage of much of the pork-laden projects and bailouts shoved down the throats of the American people since the beginning of this administration.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) has welcomed Specter, whom he has been courting for half a decade, with open arms, and probably a big wet, sloppy kiss to boot.
Specter’s coffers are brimming with contributions supporting the senior senator’s reelection campaign. Everyone not approving of Specter’s jumping ship, politically, certainly not philosophically, should demand their contribution be returned at once. This is, as they say in TV land, Specter jumping the shark in a last desperate attempt to retain his seat. He is the ultimate opportunist’s opportunist.
Sanford D. Horn is a writer and political consultant living in Alexandria, VA.
The opinions expressed here are solely the views of the author, and not representative of the position of any organization, political party, doughnut shop, knitting guild, or waste recycling facility, but may be correctly attributed to the Vast Right-Wing Conspiracy. If anything in the above article has offended you, please click here to receive an immediate apology.
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I’d like to see a real Democrat beat him in the Democratic primary, if there is one. Someone needs to nail this bloodsucker’s coffin shut.
RINO becomes a DINO? Things are looking up.
That ’someone’ could be Chris Matthews.
Atta boy Arlen. The man has seen the light and will run away with the election in 2010. It’s a good day.
It should be illegal!!!! All of those people who voted him in as a Republican just got screwed - royally. It’s false advertising and robbery. You’re right, Greg, he should have to return every last penny of campaign contributions!
Wow. It’s scary what these people will do to stay in power. The narcissism is overwhelming.
Term limits NOW!!!!!!!!!
Specter has a “D” rating from the Gun Owners of America
and a “D” from NumbersUSA. Good riddance!
I’m not sad that he did this. But Specter has always ben an iconoclastic d***.
McCain probably would have beaten him to this had he not been rewarded with the 2008 nomination.
My goodness, sounds like a rinovirus is going around.
Now, if we could just get rid of Juan McAmnesty, we could start rebuilding the party!
All we need next is for RINO Martian Nohe to become a Democrat so that he and his Anti-mistress Votedowngardt can openly lobby Corey Stewart to offer county tax subsidies for solar powered Bull-Dyke carbon-neutral vibrators.
If you didn’t collectively nominate - and sometimes make President - committed “socialists” like Bush and McCain, then you could start to pretend your party was in any real way “conservative”.
As it is the American people get a choice image-wise and rhetoric-wise each election cycle, but no REAL choice when it comes to governance.
Specter knew he had an opponent in the Republican primary next year that would defeat him. He almost got defeated in the Republican primary 4 years ago. All he is going is looking at for his own self interests, apparently power is more important than principle. Hope he loses badly next year.
now he is a jackass, ….
This is a Senate seat. If Specter resigned, the seat would be probably be filled by an appointment, meaning another Democrat who would have a better chance at winning.
It will be interesting first to see how much more liberal Specter votes as a democrat, since he always claimed to be voting his conscience, there should be not difference in his votes.
And if that is the case, it would be funny for the democrats to explain how they opposed him with an “R” but are happy with him as a “D” if he isn’t voting any differently.
Specter was not a reliable vote, but being an “R” he was the go-to-guy for the media to pretend something was “bi-partisan”. He wasn’t going to win in 2010, and this makes it mildly more likely the republicans could keep that seat, especially if the democrats decide to run a real democrat in the primary.
If Specter didn’t win the primary, he’d have to be bitter. And if he wins, I don’t see how the democrats in his state are enthusiastic about supporting him. And since he’s switching now, I don’t see how he drags the rank-and-file republican vote with him, or even the moderates who might have supported him if he got beat in a primary and then went independent.
Still, the Republican party has lost it’s way in the northeast. Whatever message they have, it isn’t resonating with a large part of our country, and like it or not, you can’t get your ideas implemented if you don’t appeal to a majority of voters. Conservative principles are the key, but scaring voters away from the party isn’t going to help us implement conservative solutions.
Back to the Future - http://www.mahalo.com/Ira_Einhorn
S. Specter helped Ira flee the Country in 1979. Remember? Now, Ira is serving a life term. He should have been executed for the brutal murder he committed.
The Huff. Blog and the anti’s are falling all over themselves telling each other and anyone else who might read their nonsense how great it is that Specter switched parties and what mean, hate mongering people Republicans are. What a bunch of lying hypocrites.
I have no attachment to either party, but in this transaction have to conclude that the the Republicans are getting the better of the deal.
Specter, the one time useful idiot clearly made a selfish decision. He recently said he would not switch parties because he favored checks and balances. So, not only is he selfish, he is a liar. He should fit in well with his fellow Dems with those ethics.
Anonymous said on 28 Apr 2009 at 7:14 pm: Flag comment
now he is a jackass, ….
Horse’s ass would be a better description.
Repubs did this to themselves.
Centrist republicans weren’t welcome under Protestant-Bushie Jesus-whores and long-time republicans like Specter (who wasn’t afraid of anybody in Washington) felt that the party was moving in an irrational tendency towards the right.
Specter wanted to keep his job and represent his voting constituency. And this represents the GOP’s almost irrelevance in the Northeast- where Obama won early and didn’t even need states like Missouri to win the election.
The party ferrets can stamp their feet or use this as an opportunity for re-evaluation. Wonder where the rednecks will go. . .
I like that “Protestant-Bushie Jesus-whores “. People who actually believe that the dinosaur was around in the garden of eden are the same idiots who allways crash a civilized society. The state needs to enhance its raiseing of its citizens. Haveing half the population of 45 year old grandmothers and the other half hopeing on a fantasy as reality,”book of revalation” most surely is not the right way to go.
Ok, no more having a second beer at night watching
Colbert. Too many strange dreams, like full
legislative control of our Great Republic now
depending on AL FRANKEN being finally declared
the winner of a Minnesota Senate seat - AL FRANKEN!
He is a comedian! ( On second thought, maybe
the connection between comedy and the U.S. Senate
is closer than a naive person like me realized).
Franken’s book “Why Not Me?”, on his fictional
presidency includes, “It is my fondest wish that
in the fullness of time, the American people will
look back on the Franken presidency as something
of a mixed bag and not as a complete disaster.”
Anybody laughing?
Jay,
That is some insight that you have.
Laughing at Franken’s “Why Not Me?”. Heck yes. That is a great book. I would recommend that most highly. And unlike his other books it’s not partisan, it takes hard shots at both sides (though mostly at the political process).
In the book, Franken seizes the issue of “Confiscatory ATM Fees” and rides it to the Presidency in 2000 (to the great frustration of Gore, Gingrich, etc.). At that point he claims to suffer from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and is undone by various scandals. Punching Nelson Mandela while in a bad mood doesn’t help his case.
The bulk of the book deals with the drudgery of running for President in the first place and is highlighted especially by pitch-perfect “transcripts” of Franken and the other canididates’ media appearances.
Although Franken sometimes seems these days to have lost any sense of humor, I applaud his presence in the Senate and expect fireworks aplenty. I also recommend the “Operation Chickenhawk” sections of his other books most highly, as well as the cartoon “Supply Side Jesus”.
Arlen Specter has gotten worse each year. He is for him self and not the people.The Demos need to really look hard at having him the main one on their ticket. He will do anything to save his job and his butt.
I’m originally from Pa. but I have never been proud of him. He’s nothing but a jerk and I sure hope he goes DOWN in roaring flames.
I hope the people of Pa. have the sence to drop him like a HOT POTATO.
Goodbye Mr. Specter!
Jay-
I do not speak for all of the rednecks ( I prefer the term Hill William) but I’m kinda conflicted at this point. I can’t go either way because both parties have gone too far in either direction. What happened to the great unification under His Obamaness?
It will be interesting to see the specter interviews as he disagrees with the policies of the dems.
Given his self proclaimed integrity and intention to stay his course on issues I expect he will have ample opportunity to disagree with his newfound best friends…
Unless of course he wants to chair some committee, then he will have to swallow his integrity and what little honesty he has left and tow the line.
it will be interesting to see which way he goes.
Reflecting on Spectre’s record as summarized in Wikipedia, and a recent interview with him on Howard Stern’s show that i heard (what an electrifying guest), he’s more in line with the Democratic platform than the Republican.
seems to me the real dividing line between the parties is towing the line on abortion. Other than that issue you can flip and flop on every substantial issue possible.
Will be interesting to see if the far left Democrats will
be able to work with their “moderates” or, like
the far right Republicans, demand they rigidly drink the
official kool-aid or else. You guys have “purifed”
the GOP down to a permanent minority. Had thought
the Dems were the ones who formed a firing squad
in a circle, facing each other.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/04/28/AR2009042803470.html
Off topic, but same old story. Can’t we make up some sort of instruction manual? Something along the lines of, “only if they’re over 18 and can legally give consent” ?
BPCAU,
“My fellow Americans, so much has happened
in the past ninety-nine days that I hardly know where to
begin. First, let me say that I pledge my complete
cooperation and that of my administration with the
Joint Congressional Committee on the President’s
Mood Swings.”
Why Not Me
by Al Franken
Enjoy political satire and wit, but wonder if
it qualifies one for real office, but, hey, Ronald Reagan
co-stared in the movie “Bedtime for Bonzo” and he turned
out OK.
I just don’t think that having a vicious one-of-a-kind sense of humor should disqualify him.
Given the strong support all of you have given Specter in the past, I understand your hurt. After all, you stood by him as a voice of reason within the Republican Party and made the strong case for respectful, attentive engagement with Rs of other views. You supported him when he was primaried by ankle-biters who largely were in this for their own advancement . I understand your disappointment. On the other hand, at least he’s making the point, a point that may be useful to the eventual renaissance of the Republican Party, that you can’t vilify your own and not expect them to wander off if they have any self-respect.
Johnson said on 29 Apr 2009 at 12:13 pm: Flag comment
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/04/28/AR2009042803470.html
Off topic, but same old story. Can’t we make up some sort of instruction manual? Something along the lines of, “only if they’re over 18 and can legally give consent” ?
Here is another one who needs more than a manual. It’s BEYOND THE BUN!
http://www.insidenova.com/isn/news/local/article/prince_william_police_briefs22/34668/
Holy tacos!
NoVA Scout — That was not the song and dance Specter was doing when Jim Jeffords jumped and Arlen lost his committee chairmanship. At that time, Specter was blustering angrily all over the place about how party switches were “disruptive” to the functioning of Congress. He even proposed a law against switching in the midst of a term.
Further, it will be interesting to see if Specter thinks he can continue to play his “maverick” role as a Dem. I’m already seeing some skepticism out of Dems and labor about whether Specter will toe the party line, especially since he has been on the opposite side of the fence on a number of issues. He has already warned that the Dems should not count him as an automatic vote on the cloture issue. We’ll see what happens when they need him and brace him up against the wall. If the Dems follow through and prevent any other aspiring Dem from running in the primary, Specter is going to wind up owing a lot of markers. Will the self-proclaimed man of principle hold his ground? We’ll have to see.
Noted - The Republican moderate caucus in the U.S. Senate
is now down to two women from Maine.
Big Dog said on 30 Apr 2009 at 9:09 am: Flag comment
Noted - The Republican moderate caucus in the U.S. Senate
is now down to two women from Maine.
Yeah, and on the news tonight it was said that Maine is the next state to pass same sex “marriage.”
I see that public support for allowing gay marriage is growing - http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/04/30/AR2009043001640.html
Within 10-20 years this’ll be a non-issue.
Anonymous said on 29 Apr 2009 at 10:41 pm: Flag comment
Johnson said on 29 Apr 2009 at 12:13 pm: Flag comment
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/04/28/AR2009042803470.html
Off topic, but same old story. Can’t we make up some sort of instruction manual? Something along the lines of, “only if they’re over 18 and can legally give consent” ?
Here is another one who needs more than a manual. It’s BEYOND THE BUN!
http://www.insidenova.com/isn/news/local/article/prince_william_police_briefs22/34668/
Holy tacos!
Here is another “RAPE OF THE WEEK.”
http://www.insidenova.com/isn/news/crime/article/police_man_19_charged_after_sex_with_girl_14/35013/
Not too upset about Specter leaving–that old fool turned in his Republican card years ago…and his Conservative card years before that.
Though it does seem that a lot of bigmouths on the left are upset about it–maybe that’s their way of saying “un-uh…we don’t want him either!”