What Bothers Me Most About the Specter Defection 2
I can’t say that I blame Arlen. It’s not every day that politicians switch sides to make sure they get re-elected, but it’s also not every day that one’s party supports a challenger in to defeat their own incumbent, which seemed more and more likely of happening in Pennsylvania.
We’ve only heard bits and pieces so far, but I bet the Democratic party made Arlen an offer he couldn’t refuse– so again, I can’t say I blame him. What would have been ideal, however, if he found a way to start a third party, and tried bringing Snowe and Collins along with him. Maybe he could have worked some sort of compromise deal with the Democrats that would have given each mutual support through this November and through Obama’s wishes to get some important legislation past. After that point in time, however, those three (and anyone else they could have brought along with them) could have tried voting as a block.
I understand all the reasons why something like this wouldn’t have happened, but it would have gotten the three a lot of attention and would have given them a huge platform from which to declare old/new Republican principles. It also would have stuck the stake into the current GOP a heck of a lot deeper than it already has.
Nothing short of complete disaster is going to help the party turn itself around. A three-Senator, third-party defection could have been huge.