it's not all that uncommon for people to switch their political affiliations in life. i myself changed from being a republic to being a democrat.
however, it is odd that an older person changes parties. it's especially odd for a senator to change parties, almost unheard of. but that is exactly what senator arlen specter is doing. he's ditching the republican party to become a democrat. i'm impressed. he's 79, and realizes that the republican party has moved further and further right, and doesn't represent his beliefs. and, they don't represent his constituents. i really respect this quote,
"Asked by a reporter what he had to say to his constituents, Specter replied with a smile, "I don't have to say anything to them. They said it to me."
that's great. his state, his constituents are trending democratically. pennsylvania voted for obama. his former party, they're moving away from where his state is going.
congrats, senator specter. eff the naysayers. stand up for what you, and the people you represent, believe in.
4 comments:
Well, I agree with most of your post, but I think you've over-idealized his motivation. He's facing a primary challenge from a guy who almost took the republican nomination from him in 2004, and the republican base has shrunk significantly in PA since then, as many republicans switched registration to vote in the dem primary last year. There was basically no way he'd get the nomination, so he became a dem really only to stay in the job.
i saw that present in the article, but didn't feel like writing about that. basically, the repubs were saying that he left the party because he wouldn't win the primary. there may be truth to it, but i think his changes also reflect his voting history and his changing state.
Now when Franken wins, the Dems will be filibuster proof.
Except with douchebags like Bayh and Nelson, you never know when one of your own is gonna stick it to you. I don't think that's gonna be a reliable 60 votes.
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