Specter declares himself 'Democrat'!
About time, my boy! A Rino that marred the brand of the GOP has now left the room. 2010 is looking good for real change in the political landscape of Pennsylvania as voters respond to crass political maneuvering.
The brighter side of Philly's blogosphere weighs in on this announcement:
Blonde Sagacity: Coward
The Bitter American: Quisling
First In! : Good Riddance
Bluftooni: Specter Fallout
Chairman Steele weighs in:
"Let's be honest -- Sen. Specter didn't leave the GOP based on principles of any kind," said Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele. "He left to further his personal political interests because he knew that he was going to lose a Republican primary due to his left-wing voting record.
Lowman Henry sizes up the switch:
No, the Specter switch was not a move of ideological conscience; it was a crass political calculation. Specter conceded as much during a news conference announcing his party switch when he condescendingly proclaimed that he would now allow Republican primary voters to decide the fate of his 28-year senate career. Rather than accept the fact he could not win re-election as a Republican, Specter has tossed the dice and gambled that his political future will be longer as a Democrat.It is a risky move. First, the Democratic Party is notorious fractious and Arlen Specter will not be welcomed with open arms by all. He will likely enjoy the support of his one-time employee in the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office, Governor Ed Rendell. And national Democrats, much like their Republican counterparts had done for years, will likely support the incumbent over other challengers. But one group in particular could be problematic, and that is organized labor. As he struggled to regain his political footing within the GOP after the stimulus vote Specter flip-flopped on the Employee Free Choice Act or Card Check, infuriating the labor movement. Specter says he won't switch positions again, but it is hard to see how he can be successful within the ranks of the Democratic Party unless he does.
Lowman S. Henry is Chairman & CEO of the Lincoln Institute
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