What Bothers Me Most About the Specter Defection
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.
The reason why Specter didn’t leave as an Independent like Jeffords in 2001, is because unlike Jeffords, he has no spine. The fact that he has no spine, which is pretty clear from his track record, makes the GOP all the more stupid for attempting to challenge him in the mid-term election. You would think that they would have learned their lesson the first time.
The deal he struck with the Democrats is that he gets to retain his full seniority, putting him in the #2 spot behind Patrick Leahy. Had he left as an independent, he would be appointed to the committee of basket-weaving and underwater treasure. As a Democrat he’ll take a slight demotion to an important appropriations subcommittee, and he’s only one heartbeat away from getting his old job back.
There is absolutely no reason why he should have attempted to take a moral stand, there’s nothing in his track record to make us believe that he would have enough of a spine to give up his seniority just to make a point, but in the process he has also put a huge nail in the GOP’s coffin that they all deserve for their collective stupidity.
That’s a good point. I put a priority on hoping that he, or persons in his position, will try to enliven the debate in our nation about what our country and our party should be. I really thought he had a golden opportunity to make something happen here.
You’re right, though. He’s just looking out for his own hide. He’s doesn’t have the balls to be his own man and make a real statement.