The decision of Republican Senator Arlen Specter to return to the Democratic Party after 28 years as a Republican is the best thing that could have happened for Republicans and the worst for Democrats. What do Democrats get out of this deal that they didn't already have? What do the Republicans really lose? The answer is the same for both questions, nothing.
One of the reasons cited by the Senator for swapping his party affiliation has to do with the polling numbers showing that he would likely not win a Republican primary in his home state. Not wanting to lose his job in the next election he went to the Democrats who offered to let him run as a Democrat in the next election in exchange for his crossing over now.
It has been said that Obama agreed to campaign for him and that he might be allowed to sail through the primary without a serious challenge. Why would Democrats want to do that? What do they gain? Why would they want to take someone into their party who is so quick to change party affiliation when a hard primary approaches? Can you count on such a person?
What did Republicans lose? Many on the right have long wanted Arlen Specter gone from their party. Challenging an incumbent is a hard thing to do. Incumbents traditionally have the support of the national party in the primary on the off chance they are challenged. With Specter running as Democrat the party is free to have a primary with no incumbents running. The state party members get a real chance to elect someone they want as opposed to fighting against the status quo.
I would like to point out the recent case of Senator Joe Lieberman. Joe was targeted by the extreme left wing of his party because he dared to support the Iraq war. Much like Specter he was often seen as a problem by members of his own Democratic party. Lieberman faced a primary challenge in the form of one Ned Lamont. After being defeated in the primary (where only the fringe members vote according to Specter) Lieberman saw all of his long time Senate friends move their backing to the party favorite. Knowing that he had the support of the majority of CT voters he ran as an independent and won.
That's right. Joe Lieberman found himself in nearly the same position Arlen Specter finds himself in right now, facing a tough primary that he may lose. Joe did not give up. He knew the voters would support him so he ran in the general election and he was proven right, defeating both the Democratic and Republican challengers!
What do we learn from Joe? We learn a lesson that Arlen Specter has not learned. We learn that if the people respect and believe in you they will vote for you no matter what party you belong to. Even when your party sends a primary challenge your way that appeals to your parties 'fringe' base and not the electorate at large you can still win. Joe did it.
I believe Republican’s concern was that with Spector and Franken (if Franken is determined to win the vote recount), the Democrats would have a filibuster-proof majority. Of course, that assumes that Spector and all other Democrats support the filibuster. Having a filibuster-proof majority would prevent the Republicans from filibustering to halt highly controversial legislation.
There is another upside to this. Spector servs on the United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary. According to Senate rules in order to break a filibuster inside the committee at least one member of the minority party must vote with the majority. With Spector now a Democrat he no longer holds the power he held before! He can no longer cast the ‘minority’ vote to cancel a filibuster!
The more I read about this the more I think that Spector going to the Democrats is going to be nothing but good news for Republicans.
Steve
I think in the big picture its great for the democrats but specifically on the Supreme Court appointment it could cause headaches.
But I believe I also read that if the Republican replacement on the committee tries to really block it in the committee the Democrats have the ability to rewrite the rules and void that power.
It’s crazy all of the detail rules in our political system.
Yes, this is the best thing that could have happened for the Republicans for sure. Political system always surprise you bu its unexpected results.
Specter’s switch puts even more attention on Minnesota and the recount battle between incumbent Norm Coleman and Al Franken.
Minn- You are very right. I must say the state of Minnesota is looking pretty silly right now. However they have a long way to go before reaching the state of Illinois with Daley and Gov. Blo
“Minn” need attentions of Local Gov. and people also need to care about their states.
It’s just incredibly funny that anyone could twist this news to think it means good things for republicans. Face it – your party is in ruins. The only people self-identifying as republicans these days are the tebagger book-burners.
It is good news for Republicans. It removes a member from the party who often voted against the will of the Republicans.
When you form a political party you want the members of that party to adhere to the core beliefs of the group. If someone no longer holds to those core beliefs they should leave the party. Staying on and paying lip service to the party is not good for the party.
Republicans, as a group, should be able to decide what they want their party to stand for. The same goes for Democrats. If a member no longer fits in the party the party should kick them out. You wouldn’t expect a football team to keep a defensive lineman on the team if he dropped 250lbs and showed no desire to get back to the size he was when hired. Why should it be any different for political parties?
people also need to care about their states
It is our duty to look after our state seriously.
I think in the big picture its great for the democrats but specifically on the Supreme Court appointment it could cause headaches.