Radical Right Drives Specter Out Of The Republican Party
Radical Right Drives Specter Out Of The Republican Party
Today, Sen. Arlen Specter announced that he is switching parties to become a Democrat. In a statement released to the press, Specter explained that the GOP has left moderates behind and “has moved far to the right.” (Indeed, today’s Progress Report discusses how radical elements of the conservative movement are in the ascendancy within the Republican Party.)
Republican leaders have been swift in their condemnation of Specter’s move, dismissing it as an act of “political survival.” But Specter’s departure from the Republican Party was motivated more by the actions of radical leaders from within the right-wing establishment than by party registration numbers in Pennsylvania. RNC Chairman Michael Steele had called for punishing Specter for straying from strict party discipline, and a chorus of hard-right conservatives have been viciously trashing the Senator for months:
– RUSH LIMBAUGH: “Snowe, Collins, Specter [...] you’re going to have a number of RINO Republicans. I said earlier today it’s great to flush them out, get them out of there. Let it be known that they are not Republicans.” [CNN, 2/13/09]
– At an anti-Obama “tea party” protest in Scranton, the “loudest boos” were “reserved for Republican Sen. Arlen Specter, while the event emcee discussed the Pennsylvania senator’s support for the federal stimulus.” [Scranton Times, 4/15/09]
– Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC) told a conservative blogger Specter “cut our knees from under us.” He added that conservatives in the Senate need to aggressively “go after” Specter and other GOP moderates Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) and Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-ME). [The Hill, 2/27/09]
– Fox News’ Dick Morris: “Specter, Collins and Snowe are Benedict Arnolds.” [Townhall, 2/11/09]
– Radio show host Melanie Morgan, along with writers from the right-wing website FreeRepublic.com, “stormed” Specter’s office and “yelled” at his staff in order to “embarrass” the Senator over his “pro-stimulus vote.” [Washington Times, 2/11/09]
Specter’s opponent in the primary — free market-fundamentalist Pat Toomey — announced his candidacy on the day of the anti-Obama, anti-tax tea party protests. Despite the the fact that tea parties have been distinguished by calls for violence, bigotry, and reflexive attacks on Obama, Toomey’s harnessing of the movement came at a time when Republican leaders like Rep. John Boehner (R-OH) embraced the protests as the future of the party.
Will conservatives continue to march down the path of radicalism, obstruction, and reflexive opposition to the President, or will the movement change course and reject the rightwing agenda to prevent more defections of GOP moderates?
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Pull the plug on the Republican party. It’s brain dead.
April 28th, 2009 at 4:09 pmSen. Arlen Specter.
April 28th, 2009 at 4:11 pmWelcome to the fold.
What a move.
There is no room for moderates in the new Republican Party. Either the leadership recognizes just how disasterous this can be for the Party (and listening to Steele react like a 3-year old doesn’t give me much hope)and begins to adopt policies more in line with its moderate wing, or the Party will become a fringe political entity, and a new party will be born.
April 28th, 2009 at 4:12 pmSpecter told reporters that he received a “bleak” poll Friday from his advisers that showed virtually no chance of him winning in the GOP primary next spring against Pat Toomey, a former Republican House member who recently led the conservative Club for Growth.
He said that the loss of several hundred thousand GOP voters, who left the party in 2008 to vote for their favored candidate in the intense Democratic presidential primary between Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton, left the Pennsylvania Republican Party too conservative to support a moderate such as him. “I have found myself increasingly at odds with the Republican Party,” Specter said.
After more than 28 years in the Senate, Specter acknowledged he was “not prepared to have that record” obliterated by the conservative primary electorate. He reached the decision over the weekend in consultation with his family and top aides, many of whom are staying with him despite his party switch
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/04/28/AR2009042801523.html?hpid=topnews
April 28th, 2009 at 4:13 pmThe GOP is the party of Limbaugh, Palin, Plumber, Santorum, Perry, etc…They are nothing more than a small group of weak bullies desperately trying to make an American Taliban a reality. If you are like them, meaning small minded, bigoted, uninformed, guided by spirits, etc – then you are welcome to the fold. If you take any view – ANY VIEW – different from theirs, you are a traitor. That makes for a very small tent, sorta a pup-tent. Palin/Plumber 2012!!!
April 28th, 2009 at 4:14 pmWhile I am sure he didnt appreciate the criticism I think it IS a survival strategy. If 200,000 moderate Republicans changed to Democrats that leaves, as has been said, a more rightwing primary and he just wouldnt have much of a shot at winning the GOP primary. I am sure he made a deal with Dems to NOT support a Dem challenge in the primary.
April 28th, 2009 at 4:15 pmRUSH LIMBAUGH: “Snowe, Collins, Specter [...] you’re going to have a number of RINO Republicans. I said earlier today it’s great to flush them out, get them out of there. Let it be known that they are not Republicans.”
You gotta do a lot of flushing when your party has diarrhea, Rush.
April 28th, 2009 at 4:18 pmKepp purifing your party repubs, chase out Snowe, and Collins, and Arnold, and any other semi-rational human being. Keep listening to rush and doing his bidding. and please, seduce Lieberman into joining you.
April 28th, 2009 at 4:18 pmSmaller clown car, smaller clown car.
-G
April 28th, 2009 at 4:22 pmLet the GOP go all the way to the left.
April 28th, 2009 at 4:23 pmgo on, keep going…and eventually they will fall of the face of the earth because they still believe it is flat.
Let the GOP keep marching down the same path and off the cliff into annihilation if it means that the rightwingnutcrazies will be purged and kept from being in control of any aspect of government.
April 28th, 2009 at 4:23 pmJust think everybody: We are watching the evaporation of a major political party. How many times have you witnessed something like this? 8 years ago lots of Republicans. Now barely 20% even admit to being a Repub. Most of them probably misunderstood the question, anyway.
Poof go the GOP. Permanent majority indeed, huh Rover?
April 28th, 2009 at 4:23 pmThe few republicans with brains are all jumping ship. The republican party will soon be too radical for America. It won’t get enough support because thankfully America isn’t that stupid.
April 28th, 2009 at 4:23 pm“RUSH LIMBAUGH: “Snowe, Collins, Specter [...] you’re going to have a number of RINO Republicans. I said earlier today it’s great to flush them out, get them out of there. Let it be known that they are not Republicans.”
April 28th, 2009 at 4:23 pmMan….Limpbough wants the left to have a REAL fillibuster proof majority. Thanks Rush. With enemies like you, we CAN change America for the better!
A gentle reminder- there is a lot to learn from here. A healthy party cannot court purists and it cannot be so sensitive to dissent. I don’t want to cackle at this train wreck too heartily. Find a progressive you disagree with on some issue today and give them a hug.
April 28th, 2009 at 4:23 pmWill conservatives continue to march down the path of radicalism, obstruction, and reflexive opposition to the President, or will the movement change course and reject the rightwing agenda to prevent more defections of GOP moderates?
________________________________________________________
Oh please — you have to ask? They will indeed continue to march down the the path that leads furthest to the right. With Limbaugh telling them to “flush out” party moderates, they are going to follow him right into the extreme fringe — an area populated by nobody but the hard-core wingnuts.
And they don’t even seem to realize that the Pied Piper doesn’t care about their party or if it sinks into oblivion. He only cares about his ratings.
April 28th, 2009 at 4:24 pmProgressive Republican Says:
The few republicans with brains are all jumping ship. The republican party will soon be too radical for America. It won’t get enough support because thankfully America isn’t that stupid.
April 28th, 2009 at 4:23 pm
But you identify as Republican. Why is that…?
April 28th, 2009 at 4:24 pmDo Democrats have to take him?
April 28th, 2009 at 4:25 pmMESSAGE TO ALL REPUBLICANS:
Your party is losing votes left and right, and I just want to remind you that it’s not your fault. It’s the other guy’s. If you’re an economic conservative, it’s those crazy religious fanatics discrediting you. If you’re a “values voter,” it’s those blowhards in double-breasted suits stealing all your money on Wall Street. Struggling to get by? You’re only poor because somebody else’s taxes got raised; you’re a hard worker, there’d be plenty of opportunity if more good jobs could afford to hire you. But the central thing you need to know is that the Republican standing next to you is the one responsible for your party’s failure. You’re perfect, it’s just that everybody else is holding you back. And your party will never come back until you purge that bastard.
Now, FIGHT!
April 28th, 2009 at 4:27 pmIt’s great to see republicans stepping down, but please don’t infiltrate the Democratic party!!!
April 28th, 2009 at 4:29 pmWatching this entire circus, is anybody else reminded of the Roadrunner and Wile E. Coyote? President Obama just keeps on trucking and the GOP is systematically destroying itself trying to stop him.
April 28th, 2009 at 4:30 pmNelson Munch said it best: HA HA!
April 28th, 2009 at 4:31 pmI called my senator’s office today to thank him for his decision and to welcome him to my party. It took hours to get through and I had to settle for contacting the Philly office because the D.C. lines were still jammed.
I predicted years ago that the GNOP would split into two parties: the old-time fiscally conservative wing and the new Fundie agenda wing. I fully admit that I was completely wrong. Rather than a new party forming, the old one is just disintegrating. My bad, our good.
PEACE
April 28th, 2009 at 4:33 pmProgressive Republican Says
April 28th, 2009 at 4:23 pm
The few republicans with brains are all jumping ship.
____________________________________________________________
If I happened to be on a sinking ship, and the crew was trying to remedy the problem by loading on more ballast, I’d abandon ship, too.
Heck, they’ll probably decide to start bailing once they’re completely below the water line.
April 28th, 2009 at 4:34 pmZooey Says:
April 28th, 2009 at 4:23 pm
But you identify as Republican. Why is that…?
Well I have many of the same views Eisenhower had, then again most of these views are very different from what modern republicans preach. I guess I picked a bad screename.
April 28th, 2009 at 4:34 pmThe enemy of my enemy is Alren
April 28th, 2009 at 4:37 pmOf course it’s political survival. It’s shocks me The Repukes would admit that anybody carrying the Repuke brand can’t stay elected in the northeast any longer. But then in Repuke land the problem is the northeast not them.
April 28th, 2009 at 4:38 pmLemme see, authoritarian. Check.
Corporatist economical ideology. Check.
Extreme nationalism. Check.
The Limbot Koch-o-Birchs are about 2/3 of the way to fascism and make no mistake they are also made up of previously radical lefties such as Kristol.
April 28th, 2009 at 4:39 pm#19 ElBruce…
I LOLed. Im transcribing that word for word on the whiteboard in my office. Is that an original?
April 28th, 2009 at 4:39 pmObama was informed of the decision at 10:30 a.m. today during his daily economic briefing. Minutes later he spoke to Specter by phone, and Specter said he received the president’s full blessing to run in the Democratic primary largely uncontested next April. “He said he would support me, come to Pennsylvania to campaign for me,” Specter said.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said Specter told him last night that he was likely to make the shift, then called the Democratic leader this morning to confirm that his decision was final. Reid credited Vice President Biden for playing an important behind-the-scenes role in softening Specter’s resistance. Biden and Specter are old friends and Senate colleagues, and Biden successfully courted Specter over a period of weeks to support the stimulus bill.
Reid also said he and Specter “have had a long dialogue about his place in an evolving Republican Party” and praised his willingness to “work in a bipartisan manner, put people over party, and do what is right for Pennsylvanians and all Americans.”
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/04/28/AR2009042801523.html?hpid=topnews
April 28th, 2009 at 4:41 pmMy fear is that when Swine flu ravages the halls of congress it will disproportionately attack Democrats much quicker and harder …….Specter could be the carrier sent in unknowingly……I see Dick Cheneys finger prints all over this.
April 28th, 2009 at 4:42 pmGary Kleppe Says:
Do Democrats have to take him?
Sure. Democrat really do have a big tent.
April 28th, 2009 at 4:43 pmProgressive Republican Says:
Well I have many of the same views Eisenhower had, then again most of these views are very different from what modern republicans preach. I guess I picked a bad screename.
April 28th, 2009 at 4:34 pm
Today’s Republicans bear no resemblance to the party of Eisenhower — or Lincoln. Obviously you know that.
Thanks.
April 28th, 2009 at 4:44 pmDo you get the feeling that these same people would have been right at home during the Spanish Inquisition!
April 28th, 2009 at 4:45 pmSlappy Said: My fear is that when Swine flu ravages the halls of congress….
Not to worry, swine flu kills few swine.
April 28th, 2009 at 4:45 pmGOP numbers down there with Chainy’s. Excellent.
April 28th, 2009 at 4:47 pmDo they not understand that the more right-wing and narrow-minded they become, the smaller their numbers will become? Will this “political cleansing” of the GOP effectively neuter their party by reducing their numbers to the point where they have absolutely no sway in congressional voting?
Then again, the GOP has always been the party of the “strangle the golden goose” philosophy.
Makes me wonder if the time is right historically for a new right-of-center political party to startup and distinguish itself as less radical than the current GOP, while still being conservatively-minded.
April 28th, 2009 at 4:50 pmpoor ol’slappy,
still strugglin’ to tune in that wavelength called “the funny”
April 28th, 2009 at 4:52 pmIf my math is right, and if Al Frankin FINALLY is seated in the Senate,…
Then the Democrats will have 60 Votes….a filibuster proof majority.
This bodes Well for Health Care Reform, and Obama’s other Progressive legislation.
Obama should go for it….SINGLE PAYER HEALTH CARE NOW!
April 28th, 2009 at 4:55 pmLee Fang: or will the movement change course and reject the rightwing agenda to prevent more defections of GOP moderates
Who CAN change the course of the current republican pirate ship???
There is no one – NO ONE – within repub ranks right now that have the strength AND ability to start changing the course.
That ship’s gonna be sailing in this direction for awhile.
April 28th, 2009 at 4:59 pmNow, FIGHT!
April 28th, 2009 at 5:04 pm–
Like apes?
I had an interesting conversation with a GOP friend who I respect immensely. He matter of factly stated that the party apparatus’s bullshit lack of intelligent priorities and endless misguided ass kissing of the extreme end has brought them too what he anticipates as a long span of minority status. He strongly felt that they have brought this upon themselves and in no way disrespected nor blamed his opposition…
News in recent weeks has demonstrated two simple facts.
Fact 1: Rush Limbaugh is the defacto leader of today’s Republican party. Reference: all of the now “lesser” Republicans who’ve had to grovel and kiss his copious arse when they transgress.
Fact 2: Rush has so fowled and soiled his party’s “pool” that Republican moderates are fleeing and what remains of his party is a nearly empty pool where only few high profile floaters remain thus, further relegating the party to final grim obscurity.
I never thought I would say this but thanks the Gods and Goddesses for Rush. The destruction of your party Rush is an amazing thing to watch.
April 28th, 2009 at 5:05 pmYes – three VERY viable candidates for defection. And sooner, rather than later.
Lineups are being put together right now for early 2010 election season, so could see a number of people moving around right now.
Self-preservation? Probably…..but I’d rather see them coming over to our party, bring additional supporters, get more votes for down-the-line Dem candidates, etc.
Think long-term, folks.
April 28th, 2009 at 5:06 pmKeep in mind that these are the very exact same people who will be praising Specter in the future as being the only intelligent and honest Democrat who is willing to cross the isle and be non-partisan. Kind of like they say abotu Lieberman now that he has wholly embrased right-wing policies.
April 28th, 2009 at 5:12 pmElimination of moderates? One need only to look at Israel to see how that’s going. Hard liner Netanyahu and rascist Lieberman will make the Middle East a powder keg.
April 28th, 2009 at 5:17 pmThis is nothing to celebrate. Specter said he is going to vote against the EFCA and will not vote to confirm Dawn Johnsen. What good is it to have a Republican in the Democratic Party–it’s just shifting the Democratic Party further to the right. And now the Democratic “Party Leaders” say they will support him in the next election against real Democrats. This sucks. Specter isn’t doing the Democrats any favors by joining them.
April 28th, 2009 at 5:18 pmdeebaser Says:
Is that an original?
Yeah.
April 28th, 2009 at 5:20 pmBy the way, I think it was Sen. DeMint-R today who responded to CNN when asked about Specter saying that the Republican party was the party of “Freedom” and reference the teabag parties.
Don’t think for a moment that “Freedom” is not code for hate-filled zealots. It is. What remains of the Republican party is going to go crazy. Gun blasting, bomb scaring crazy.
Vigilance!
April 28th, 2009 at 5:25 pmThe responses to Specter’s defection by the far right wingnuts can only help the Democrats. However, it’s the Democrats that self destruct. What is needed in both houses is strong leadership. It is severely lacking now. Just having Specter in the caucus, even when Franken gets there, won’t assure 60 votes. They need to use the ‘reconciliation gambit.’ I wasn’t and am not a Specter fan because he reminds me of one of our (OH) Senators, Voinovich. He bellows and opposes until it is time to vote then toes the party line. Not because his party is right (take the Bush tax cuts) but because of fear from his party. Specter just got tired of having to deal with the likes of Steele, Limbaugh. Hannity and their ilk. I woulden’t be surprised to see other moderate Democrats in the Senate move to the other aisle. I doubt they like the name clling and abuse any more than Specter.
April 28th, 2009 at 5:40 pmPersonally, I don’t see this as a coup. I would prefer a real Democrat, not just another Lieberman in Dem clothes.
April 28th, 2009 at 5:47 pmDemocrats have a big tent and are very gracious hosts. Specter is welcome and his views will be heard loud and clear because seniority in the Senate is non-partisan. That said if he bumps Harkin off health care or a more progressive voice on other vital issues this is not good for most people, including Dems. Lets see what happens but we need progressive voices at the table not old establishment, country club Republicans smothering the microphones.
April 28th, 2009 at 5:50 pmIt isn’t a coup. It is just more evidence of a ship adrift atsea and headed for the shoals which has to be ever increasingly disparaging to those who continue to have have in the rudderless, skipperless scow…
April 28th, 2009 at 5:51 pmSlappyBastinado Says:
You have no fears you are too stupid for fear. You only come here to beg us to pity you for being so stupid and pathetic. You are indeed a pitiful and pathetic creature. Your stupid is strong, it is pure. I think you were right to lead with it as your strenght especially since you have NOTHING else BUT your stupid. Your stupid is your friend, your companion. You have had it all your life and it will always be with you. I suggest you tatoo STUPID on your forehead, after all its not like anyone who ever talks to you wont immediatly see that stupid is your defining characteristic. I dont think however that your stupid will gain you any traction on THIS website. I think your stupid is more suited to FreeRepublicanSewer.MORON. Remember, you ARENT clever, just stupid. Good luck with that.
April 28th, 2009 at 5:51 pmoops, I ment discouraging
April 28th, 2009 at 5:51 pmoops and I ment hope not two haves…
April 28th, 2009 at 5:52 pmOh just forget it…
Let’s just hope the radical left doesn’t drive him right back.
April 28th, 2009 at 5:54 pmlefttown Says:
I agree. Dems should tell him that if he wants to keep his seniority he will play ball and if he doesnt then they will finance a strong contender in his Democratic Primary. He can be in whatever party he wants but if he wont support a Democratic agenda then he WILL face a challenge.
April 28th, 2009 at 5:54 pmEugene atrax robustus Debs Says:
I agree. Dems should tell him that if he wants to keep his seniority he will play ball and if he doesnt then they will finance a strong contender in his Democratic Primary.
He’d still be facing a less strict caucus than the one he’s leaving.
April 28th, 2009 at 6:04 pmLadies and Gentlemen, I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. Enjoy the moment, but don’t be shocked when the Republican party comes back. Note that I said “when” not “if”. When FDR was elected, experts predicted the end of the Republican party. Ike brought the party back shortly before the imploded under the load of the McCarthyites.
After Nixon’s public shaming (and I’m still angry that he didn’t go to jail) experts wondered how the Republicans could possibly regain power. It only took four years of the Carter administration to make them relevant again.
In 2002, after getting shellacked in the midterm elections, experts wondered how the Democratic Party could ever return to power. It took four years.
Americans have a short memory and a shorter attention span. I caution you all against gloating as this can all turn around overnight.
April 28th, 2009 at 6:04 pmWill Specter’s change of party put more pressure on McCain and Snowe?
April 28th, 2009 at 6:05 pmThe next thing you know, Lieberman will be switching parties, too. Red Rover, Red Rover, Can Joe come over?
April 28th, 2009 at 6:07 pmFox News’ Dick Morris: “Specter, Collins and Snowe are Benedict Arnolds.”
Hey, Dick, didn’t you have an affair on your wife while serving in the Clinton Administration?
Yeah?
Then shut the f— up.
April 28th, 2009 at 6:07 pmIf President Obama rebounds the economy and makes any headway in the mideast, then the “moment” will be lasting a lot longer than you think.
He’s President for the next FOUR years. That by itself is a long moment. And with republicans already jumping ship for 2010, it won’t be happening in Congress either.
Your optimism based on your loose interpretation of historical events and your belief that they are doomed to repeat themselves aside.
This “moment” is here and it’s not likely going to go anywhere after 8 years of the most bungling, incompetent republican government as the world has ever known.
But keep dreaming.
It’s all you have now anyway.
April 28th, 2009 at 6:09 pmi’ve been thinking there was something written here recently about specter that made this move a surprise… found it (for one):
Specter defends Limbaugh: ‘I like him.’
Sen. Arlen Specter (R-PA), who is trailing Club for Growth president Pat Toomey in the polls for the 2010 GOP primary, has been lurching to the right recently, most notably by announcing last month that he will vote against the Employee Free Choice Act. On the Howard Stern radio show today, Specter took to defending Rush Limbaugh:
April 28th, 2009 at 6:09 pm[...]
http://thinkprogress.org/2009/04/07/specter-limbaugh/
The GOP is like a space ship trying to reach light speed. They keep going farther to the right only to discover that they can still move right, just like a vessel can always go faster as long as it’s below the unreachable limit of light speed.
They keep shedding weight, (anyone who’s not blindly committed to the rightward march), in their mad quest to reach that unattainable limit and there’s still no sign that anyone left in authority has even considered moderation. It’s going to be a Hell of a smash up.
April 28th, 2009 at 6:13 pmI wonder how many of these Republicans were oh-so-upset when Democratic Senator Joe Lieberman became an “Independent”?
April 28th, 2009 at 6:16 pmProgressive Republican Says:
Zooey Says:
April 28th, 2009 at 4:23 pm
But you identify as Republican. Why is that…?
Well I have many of the same views Eisenhower had, then again most of these views are very different from what modern republicans preach. I guess I picked a bad screename.
Eisenhower’s views are much closer to a moderate Democratic view than the view of the Republicans today. The same goes for Goldwater.
Remember, he was the one who warned us about the military industrial complex.
April 28th, 2009 at 6:18 pmThe GOP and it’s followers are apparently fueled now by nothing but pure hate. Hate of everything and everyone not in their corner. There’s a lot of that on the fringe left too, but not at the center left. There is no moderate on the GOP anymore. Just hate filled radical wing nuts. All of them. Their Senators, Congresspersons and constituents. All filled with hate. All fueled by hate.
That’s why Specters leaving.
He can’t stomach the idea of party over country any longer, which is the oath of allegiance required to be a member of the right these days.
Country first.
Party second.
April 28th, 2009 at 6:18 pmSTL Cynic Says:
Ladies and Gentlemen, I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. Enjoy the moment, but don’t be shocked when the Republican party comes back. Note that I said “when” not “if”
It is inevitable that eventually the pendulum will swing back your way. But at the rate you are going that won’t be for decades. The last WP/ABC poll showed that the Republicans lost 4% of their members in the last month alone (now at 21%). And in the last two months they have lost 8% who think that the Republicans are doing a good job in Congress (now at 30%). With numbers like that, it is going to be a VERY LONG time before we will see a Republican president again.
April 28th, 2009 at 6:21 pmHey Waynebro, I may not have communicated my sentiment as well as I’d hoped. All I’m saying is that we cannot assume that the Republicans are done as a party. I’d like nothing better than to drive a wooden stake through whatever passes as a heart in the redneck crackers that currently make up the party. Right now, the Republicans count only the racist elements of the south as their base. That can change relatively quickly if we take it for granted. History bears that out.
My point is that we should do more courting and less gloating.
April 28th, 2009 at 6:21 pmIt’s good to see a politician willing to stray from party platforms, even if it means actually joining another party. I think that there should be much more communication and dialogue between the parties and party members to tackle some of the most difficult situations that we face such as global malaria, measles, and malnutrition.
The Borgen Project has good info on the estimated cost of ending global poverty:
$30 billion: Annual shortfall to end world hunger.
$550 billion: U.S. Defense budget.
April 28th, 2009 at 6:22 pmLibertyLover Says:
Will Specter’s change of party put more pressure on McCain and Snowe?
Snowe and Collins maybe. But not McCain.
April 28th, 2009 at 6:22 pmHi davidwaters:
April 28th, 2009 at 6:26 pmCan I get a straight answer about what appears to be Dutch Harbor pretend to be cool bs? Thanks?
OK……I really communicated badly in my first comment. Bilbo, I wasn’t trying to say that I want the Repubs to return to power. I was only expressing that historically that’s the nature of American politics. Eventually, they’ll return to power.
I hope that when they do, they’ll return in a different form that is less racist and platitude spouting stupidity.
Sorry folks, I wasn’t trying to play devils advocate for the trolls.
April 28th, 2009 at 6:28 pmAhh, I see.
Agreed and that’s good advice.
Never rest on your laurels.
April 28th, 2009 at 6:32 pmSorry I misread your comment.
April 28th, 2009 at 6:34 pm… hmmm.
why DID he go “democrat” and not “independent”…?
.
at the google news page:
April 28th, 2009 at 6:34 pmSpecter condemned Jim Jeffords’ party switch in 2001
Los Angeles Times – ?9 minutes ago?
When the Vermont Republican became an independent, Specter lost a committee chairmanship in the Senate’s resulting power shift.
oh – those two thoughts are not and were not meant to be connected…
April 28th, 2009 at 6:35 pmand, whatever bacame of this? what WILL become of it?
Pennsylvania labor leaders promised Sen. Arlen Specter (R-PA) “that they will switch union members from the Democratic Party to the Republican Party to help him win a tough 2010 primary election” in exchange for Specter’s help in passing the Employee Free Choice Act, a bill that would make it easier for employees to form unions.
http://thinkprogress.org/2009/03/16/thinkfast-march-16-2009/
April 28th, 2009 at 6:40 pmkatydid Says:
… hmmm.
why DID he go “democrat” and not “independent”…?
katydid…it’s “go democratic” not “go democrat”. The Republicans are misusing the words to the point where progressives are starting to pick up on it.
April 28th, 2009 at 6:51 pmPoor guy, the wingnuts and their overwhelming support of Toomey drove him to part ways with a party he has been with for over 40 years. He’s probably saddened at seeing the GOP degrade into a lunatic fringe and knows now that he must part ways before they rip him to pieces in the primary. As a Democrat, I hope he shows his commitment to progressive ideals more freely. I expect him to be something like Lieberman, but that’s better than having him continue to caucus with the GOP.
April 28th, 2009 at 6:52 pmi know what i meant, bilbo…
he went to being a “democrat”, not an “independent”…
April 28th, 2009 at 6:54 pm– Fox News’ Dick Morris: “Specter, Collins and Snowe are Benedict Arnolds.” [Townhall, 2/11/09]
Well that’s only true if you put loyalty to your political party ahead of loyalty to your country. Dick.
April 28th, 2009 at 7:11 pm#85 — Wayne,
Dick just “invited” Collins and Snowe to leave the party too!
I think I can smell 62 dems over the hill there….
April 28th, 2009 at 7:25 pmThat “tent of freedom” thing is catching on like wildfire. My side is starting to hurt, though.
April 28th, 2009 at 7:28 pmpersonally,
April 28th, 2009 at 7:41 pmi think the radical right wing of the party should keep up the good work. keep disenfranchising voters to guarantee repukies never hold even close to a majority in this country again.
Good riddance…Collins is next. The sooner we can get rid of these liberals wrapped in Republican clothing…the better our party will be. We are tired of these so called moderates bending over for a bunch of loonies…for money and pork!
Any so called moderate can join the DemocRATs and take their chances at the next primary election. Once we get back our backbone…the Libs will be put back in their place.
April 28th, 2009 at 7:59 pmRealityCheck, I think we’re going have Snowe join next. I mean she’s a social progressive who identifies with being a Republican because of what it used to stand for before the fringe infected and rotted it out.
April 28th, 2009 at 8:08 pmRealityCheck invertebrates lack backboes. Are you suggesting your party intends to evolve?
April 28th, 2009 at 8:14 pmThe trolls remind me of the Black Knight in The Holy Grail. After suffering a major wound they ask for more and, in their fantasy world, it’s always “just a flesh wound”.
And where will they find their new Messiah? All the current contenders start each sentence with the words “I’m afraid” and piss themselves in every media appearance. I’m still amazed such mortal cowards ever gained so much clout.
April 28th, 2009 at 8:21 pmNo “Radical Right Wing” ran Mr. Specter out of the Republican party. He claims to have been first elected with the Reagan “big tent” surge of Conservatives, while, for years, many Republicans failed to see just what was “Republican” about Arlen Specter.
In fact, the Conservatives that built-up the party under Reagan, no “radicals” they, have long wished that Mr. Specter admitted his true Democrat affiliation, which he voted often with, instead of sitting in the GOP caucus and working against them many a time.
The elected Conservatives are actually now fewer in the Republican party today, not more, as Mr. Specter would now claim, because many left due to how people like Specter often worked against them from within.
Having helped chase many Conservatives out of a Republican party affiliation, he now sees he has done all he can in that regard, to help his Liberal friends, so now he can finally admit, as he did to Mr. Obama, he’s a loyal Democrat.
He had no choice; the pretense could not be sustained any longer and the Pennsylvania Republicans let him know it.
I think he really is not a true Democrat either. He is a party of one, whose guiding principle seems to be whatever he thinks is best for Arlen Specter.
April 28th, 2009 at 8:25 pmAgreed. He should shack up with LIEberman. Neither can be trusted.
April 28th, 2009 at 8:41 pmWow! That’s, um…
The problem, wuli, with the Sainted Regan Republicans is that, when given unrestrained power they were an unrestrained disaster. They were given control and proved faithless. And any thinking person would, at least, explore the possibility that doubling down on sucker bets is stupid.
Specter is smart and honest enough to realize that and I suspect he’s the first of many who will, ultimately, decide they can no longer stand with the desperate remains of the GOP. Heck! If one includes all the prominent Republicans who retired to “spend more time with their families” over the last couple years one could conclude the mass defection has begun.
April 28th, 2009 at 8:44 pmwuli Said:
Yes, but I think you forget that many scoop Jackson democrats, such as Kristol migrate to the republican party
April 28th, 2009 at 8:47 pmhttp://politicalgraveyard.com/index.html#PE
April 28th, 2009 at 8:52 pmRealityCheck Says:
——————————————————————————–
Good riddance…Collins is next. The sooner we can get rid of these liberals wrapped in Republican clothing…the better our party will be. We are tired of these so called moderates bending over for a bunch of loonies…for money and pork!
Any so called moderate can join the DemocRATs and take their chances at the next primary election. Once we get back our backbone…the Libs will be put back in their place.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
RealityCheck
If I read you correctly, the Republicans “need to get their backbone back”. Are you admitting that Republicans are spineless? When the Republicans do find their backbone they might want to find a brain to think with, and some guts to take ownership of the mess they put the country.
humbly, flight
April 28th, 2009 at 9:14 pmWow, Reality Check, I have to think your moniker is either meant to be ironic or you are just as retarded as you seem. The defections from the GOP in recent years have taken away the power you thugs once wielded, but somehow you believe that alienating more people will help your party? You keep up the good work, RC – good work for the Dems, that is. You and the Bachmans, Becks, Boehners and other assorted hysterics are going a long toward ensuring a Democratic majority for a long time to come. Americans, in case you haven’t noticed, are taking the country back from the Reich Wingers, and the more you lie, obfuscate and throw your little tantrums, the faster it happens.
April 28th, 2009 at 9:42 pmSTL Cynic Says:
Ladies and Gentlemen, I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. Enjoy the moment, but don’t be shocked when the Republican party comes back. Note that I said “when” not “if”.
Historically, I think you’re right.
However, every time this is brought up, the R’s say “we’re coming back now! we’ve turned the corner!” and when asked what their new approach is, they say “more of the same, except even more so!”
They just aren’t getting it.
If/when the R’s come back, the leadership is nobody who’s involved now. The approach is nothing like what we’re seeing now. Everything going on now is thoroughly discredited. In order for the electorate to give them another chance, they’re going to have to come up with something shiny and new. No, not another coat of varnish on the same turd, really shiny and new. And that’s going to take a few years.
Whatever the next big thing in Republicanism is, it’s something that isn’t on the landscape at present.
Remember, it can happen fast. How many years was Obama in national attention before capturing the Presidency? Bush? Clinton?
We’ll know we’re in good shape if the R’s trot out another “old soldier” to run in 2012. Otherwise, if they nominate a “bolt from the blue” candidate, there may be some trouble.
April 28th, 2009 at 9:45 pmThis would probably be a really good time for the Republican party to SHUT UP. Spend some time in the library. Think for a little while. But maybe their 21% would come out of the trance.
April 28th, 2009 at 9:51 pmRealityCheck Says:
Good deal you ignorant piece of Trollcrap. Chase everyone with even HALF a brain out of your party til all that is left are morons as stupid as you are. Then in five years you will go the way of the Whig party. You are staggeringly stupid RC. The ash from my cigarette has more on the ball than you ever will.
April 28th, 2009 at 10:21 pmwuli Says:
Your post is PURE delusion. What color is the sky on your planet anyway? Your used to be the party of Eisenhowe, Goldwater, Danforth. Those days are history and if you dont know that then you dont know ANYTHING and are just babbling incoherently
April 28th, 2009 at 10:23 pmRealityCheck Says:
Good riddance…Collins is next. The sooner we can get rid of these liberals wrapped in Republican clothing…the better our party will be. We are tired of these so called moderates bending over for a bunch of loonies…for money and pork!
Any so called moderate can join the DemocRATs and take their chances at the next primary election. Once we get back our backbone…the Libs will be put back in their place.
***
you can keep michelle.
:)
April 28th, 2009 at 10:29 pmLike I said…once we get rid of the moderates who only believe in pork & taking money…The Republican party can get back to where the Conservatives take it back over.
The Dips like Specter…had no balls so he is right where he belongs now…with the DemocRATs. The Conservatives have stood by their principles…while the moderates tried to mimic the democRATs. Big Government is not the answer…only the free market is!
April 28th, 2009 at 10:42 pmRealityCheck,
Republicans have no principles, they have no spine, they have no brains, and they have no guts!
P.S. You guys spent 8 years rolling out the pork. You have bad menories, but we will help you guys out.
April 28th, 2009 at 11:07 pmRealityCheck Says:
Sure you said what you always say. Ignorant brainwashed CRAP. RePUNKlicans of your type are so predictable. Chatty Cathy dolls, pull your string and you react the way you always do the only way you can with stupid regurgitated CRAP. It is all you have between your ears. Face it you are incredibly stupid and that just isnt going to change PUNK
April 28th, 2009 at 11:22 pmRealityCheck Says:
——————————————————————————–
Like I said…once we get rid of the moderates who only believe in pork & taking money…The Republican party can get back to where the Conservatives take it back over.
The Dips like Specter…had no balls so he is right where he belongs now…with the DemocRATs. The Conservatives have stood by their principles…while the moderates tried to mimic the democRATs. Big Government is not the answer…only the free market is!
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
RealityCheck,
April 28th, 2009 at 11:38 pmI don’t think you would know a free market economy if it bit you in the azz! Check your history, Republican policy has lead to some pretty miserable times in this country. It took Democrats to clean up you messes.
RealityCheck Says:
Like I said…once we get rid of the moderates who only believe in pork & taking money…The Republican party can get back to where the Conservatives take it back over.
That’s right, you keep getting more and more of what you call “conservative” and you’ll be unstoppable! Microscopically tiny, but still unstopable!
.
RealityCheck Says:
Big Government is not the answer…only the free market is!
Do you even know what you mean when you say “free market?” You realize you’re just talking about tearing down any and all laws regulating all financial transactions whatsoever, as well as starving out the government’s only source of revenue, thereby tearing down all the rest of the laws as well? That’s called anarchy. Also known as lawless chaos. That’s what you’re talking about.
April 29th, 2009 at 12:12 amThe sheep that follow the rants and raves of Limbaugh and Hannity will send the Republican party to its grave. By purging or flushing out the moderates and rino’s, the conservatives left will have signed the party’s dearh notice. As of today, polls say only 24% of Americans claim to be Republicans and that number continues to go down as the right wing elements of the party take control. You are at the point the party was in 1964 with Goldwater.You are going to lose seats in both houses in 2010 and the whole thing in 2012. The Republicans haven’t seen any real loss until the McCain-Kennedy Comperhensive Immigration Bill is reintroduced. The Republicans will go the way of the whigs, with 13 to 30 million illegals given amnesty and the right to vote. They will be registered Democrat. Republicans will lose seats nationally and in the state houses. We will be one party until another party rises from the ashes of the old reactionary Republican party after wandering in the political wilderness for 40yr.
April 29th, 2009 at 1:03 am
Democrats will be in the drivers seat for the short term but long term some things are going to change. I have only voted Democrat my whole life because the modern Republican party is just plain white evil right wing hate. At some point though a viable libertarian type party will form and the Democrats had better watch out. Many people who support the Democrats right now hate the big government, nanny state and socialism. We just have no other choices right now. We don’t want the government telling us how to run our businesses (cough Obama forcing companys to do things even if they do need taxpayer money). We hate the government spending our money for us because they think we are idiots (cough Social Security). We hate the government telling us what is moral or not (friggin religious right, freedom of religion jesustards). And finally we hate the government spending our money to hire more red tape buddys whose only job it is to make useless rules that interfere with Americans prospering (ie leeches, ticks, bodylice government). You progressive wack jobs enjoy your socialism now but at some point a party will figure out smaller government and the Washington establishment will be forced to get jobs in the real world.
April 29th, 2009 at 2:08 amBah no edit functionality on a post how 1999. Anyway meant to say Obama forcing companys to take bailout money when they don’t need it and making them play by Washingtons rules instead of market forces is nationalization, socialism and is why Cuba and North Korea are so prosperous. The day that progressive doesn’t equal big nanny elite government socialism is the day when you will quit being calling left wing liberal scum. Every “progressive” I have known came from money and never been so poor they missed a meal. People that have to work in the real world don’t have the luxury of being hippie wannabes.
April 29th, 2009 at 2:18 amBah before I get tagged as some Republihoogan Obama is 100x better than Bush. I just wish we could vote for a party that would make government more efficient not just bigger as both partys do (Democrats tax and spend, Republicans borrow and spend, both suck). Paying a bunch of politicans and civil servant leeches to give jet photo-ops over New York doesn’t put food on the table for Americans.
April 29th, 2009 at 2:34 amlibertylibertarian Says:
I dont care if you are a republican what I do care about is that you dont know what you are talking about and dont even know what socialism IS. So your babbling is basically meaningless. Obama isnt forcing ANYONE to take money. They dont want it he had no authority to force it on them. Try to make some sense. There has been no nationalization when Obama calls for nationalizing the Oil companies the airlines and the electronics industries get back to us. Till then try to think through your posts. They dont make any sense
April 29th, 2009 at 2:49 amI hope Arlen Specter has lots of security to protect him from all the right wing, Republican, Timothy McVeigh types running around America.
April 29th, 2009 at 6:05 amdelafield Says:
I hope Arlen Specter has lots of security to protect him from all the right wing, Republican, Timothy McVeigh types running around America.
I don’t know who is the bigger TOOL? You or dstankass? I guess I would vote it a tie!
Specter is quite safe…he will be surrounded by his Pork Friends!
April 29th, 2009 at 7:26 amRealityCheck once again prooves that it lives in it’s own “reality”. It conveniently forgets while ignoring eight years od Repubs snorting at the trough that at least half of what could be called pork in the stimulus bill is REPUBLICAN PORK! Think about that, about half, while the number of Repubs on the Hill is substantially LESS than half. Hell, they put in the pork, vote against the Bill and then take credit for their pork. RC you are a fool and a GOP tool.
April 29th, 2009 at 9:05 amThis is thinking progress? Where are all of the pro-life, anti gay marriage Democrats? This is what the parties are for. To fight against things you disagree with. I don’t like the Repugs arrogance and fiscal irresponsibility (although President Obama appears to be outdoing them on that point). I am against gay marriage and abortion, yet I am a Democrat. Don’t tell me I’m welcome in my party. You are all being silly, naive or stupid. None of you are thinking or progressing.
April 29th, 2009 at 9:20 amActually Debs, Obama is forcing folks to take the money. Seven of the TARP banks want to return the money. They have been rejected, the government owns them now. That’s socialism. The people holding property in kind. I don’t want to own the banks, I want the money returned. I don’t want to own Chrysler or GM, but we do, and they will never be privately run again. They are government and union owned now. Can anyone say Skoda?
April 29th, 2009 at 9:24 amPost #121 exactly.
plus the stockholders got 10 cents on the dollar for their shares while the Union Members got ownership of the company. Now you know what all the Union Donations to the B.O. campaign was about.
April 29th, 2009 at 11:20 amlibertylibertarian Says:
At some point though a viable libertarian type party will form and the Democrats had better watch out. Many people who support the Democrats right now hate the big government, nanny state and socialism.
Yes, they want no government. No taxes, no laws no infrastructure. A libertarian paradise, just people shooting each other in the forest and hunting for scraps.
.
libertylibertarian Says:
Bah no edit functionality on a post how 1999. Anyway meant to say Obama forcing companys to take bailout money when they don’t need it and making them play by Washingtons rules instead of market forces is nationalization…
Actually, nationalizing them would be nationalization. I guess you should thank Obama for not going that route, though I don’t.
If they don’t want the money forced on them, then they shouldn’t have gotten “too big to fail.” We used to apply trustbusting acts to prevent any corporation from holding the entire economy hostage, but when’s the last time you saw the government decline to approve a proposed merger?
.
A Patriotic Anopheles Acting Says:
…that at least half of what could be called pork in the stimulus bill is REPUBLICAN PORK!
Does the name Ted Stevens ring a bell? How about Randy “Duke” Cunningham? K Street? none of that?
.
drew3rd
I am against gay marriage and abortion, yet I am a Democrat.
Why do you hate freedom?
.
drew3rd
…and they will never be privately run again.
Oh, you should put some real money down on a prediction like that.
April 29th, 2009 at 11:20 amElBruce Says:
Yes, they want no government. No taxes, no laws no infrastructure. A libertarian paradise, just people shooting each other in the forest and hunting for scraps.
I say:
This is not true at all. Common sense libertarians understand some government is very necessary. Unlike liberals we don’t believe a bunch of elitest politicians in Washington can solve all our problems, can think for us and no better how to spend our money for us. Anybody with a brain has to admit Washington has become its own evil echo chamber that grows like a cancer because everybody has to hook up their buddies their. It is not sustainable and does threaten the American way of life when more and more of our tax money simply goes to pay interest on the idiots overspending (both parties guilty as sin).
libertylibertarian Says:
Bah no edit functionality on a post how 1999. Anyway meant to say Obama forcing companys to take bailout money when they don’t need it and making them play by Washingtons rules instead of market forces is nationalization…
Actually, nationalizing them would be nationalization. I guess you should thank Obama for not going that route, though I don’t.
If they don’t want the money forced on them, then they shouldn’t have gotten “too big to fail.” We used to apply trustbusting acts to prevent any corporation from holding the entire economy hostage, but when’s the last time you saw the government decline to approve a proposed merger?
I say: Obama is going that route he is just doing it stealthy. I agree %100 the trustbusting should have been done long ago and both partys are way too in bed with the mega corporations (dems are supposed to favor small business as they employee a lot more people). If the government under either party had been competent in the last 20 years we would never have had this situation. Government is rarely competent because it is not exposed to market forces only to political forces and is why many people are loathe to give them our resources. We give them more money than is imaginable and they still turn around and hook up their buddies in industry at the expense of me and you. Finally not a damn dime of tax money should have ever been given to single corporation.
April 29th, 2009 at 5:13 pmThanks Sites Sesli Sohbet
April 30th, 2009 at 8:34 amSesli Chat
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SesliChat
Old Arlen switched parties for only one reason: it is his only slim hope of staying in power. That is it. Arlen has no principles he is all about keeping that senate seat. He would probably wear a dress if it meant getting re-elected. He is an old man that really should retire at the end of his term. But, like so many others, that power trip is more important than any real principle. News to Arlen: the senate will survive without you. The USA will survive without you. Get over yourself. Get a retirement hobby. Your time is over. But if the PA electors vote you in again, well, PA will have to deal with that nonsense.
May 2nd, 2009 at 2:04 pmI’m new here, and wow….. supposedly this is a really fabulous liberal blog site, but i can’t believe some of the stupid shit i’m reading here.
May 4th, 2009 at 1:13 pmBTW, RealityCheck: love ya. But really, talk about casting pearls before swine… i give you credit for stamina, tho. :-)
Just curious, all you silly, sad little bleeding-heart commies: what exactly does “Social and Economic Justice” mean, according to this site? (One of the stated “what we’re about” items) I’m guessing it means enabling victimhood and crippling individual achievement. Anybody wanna correct me on that?