Democrats may achieve supermajority with Specter’s switch and Franken’s win. Thoughts?
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30456741/
Alan Specter, one of the most respectable Repubicans and politicians, is switching to be a Democrat.
Al Franken is to be confirmed soon, that will give Democrats the filibuster-proof magic 60.
Thoughts? Is this good or bad news for the country?
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vovdenk - December 14th, 2009
Dear Eternal Questions,
Actually, 60 Senators is nothing new for the Democrats. There were 63-68 Democrats in the Senate from 1959-1969, and 61 for the years of 1975-1978. Of the years inbetween, the Democrats controlled the Senate with 54-57 members. In 1966, Republicans in Congress (both Houses) numbered just 172. That was the time of the war on poverty and the Civil Rights legislations.
tomcolontonio - December 14th, 2009
"I am unwilling to have my twenty-nine year Senate record judged by the Pennsylvania Republican primary electorate." – Arlen Spectre 28 April 09
No wonder democrats love him.
pjl57 - December 14th, 2009
Great Answer SJ,
nathanisthebest - December 14th, 2009
I believe you both loved Lieberman for doing the same thing. LOL
" Hopefully he will still lose."
Actually, it sounds like he has a pretty good chance of winning.
Yohun - December 14th, 2009
Doubtfule that he will lose. PA has about 1 million more registered democrats than republicans. He has also done a pretty good job of getting democrat votes in previous elections.
whigumstyx - December 14th, 2009
"I believe you both loved Lieberman for doing the same thing."
And the liberals hated him and showed their anti-Semitism.
Hasn't Toomey defeated democrats before? Isn't PA a pro-life state? Doesn't PA routinely vacillate between Republicans and democrats for governor?
tranviviann - December 14th, 2009
yup, their votes are worth much much more now. when you have a monopoly you can charge whatever you want…..if only these jerks had the good of the country foremost in their minds, might as well ask a leopard to change its spots.
pjl57 - December 14th, 2009
My point exactly, At this point does it really make a difference what they choose call them selves. ?
Just_Leo - December 14th, 2009
I agree, but I also think that can be a very good thing at times.
BrooklynLUNE - December 14th, 2009
Dear Wood and Insightful,
I think you both right. It will be interesting to see where Senator Specter aligns himself on different issues. Rollin', rollin', rollin', keep them kitties rollin'…
Just_Leo - December 14th, 2009
"Democrats do not march lock-step the way the Republicans do."
Like with Chairman Obama's porkulus?
BrooklynLUNE - December 14th, 2009
Wow, didn't know the background on this. Michael Steel pushed moderates and apologized to Limbaugh!
erellis - December 14th, 2009
Dear Gray Wolf,
I, too, have always admired Senator Specter. I will welcome him into the party, but this must be a bitter pill for him. He is a great statesman. And Michael Steele was most unkind in his parting remarks to the Senator, to brand him as "Left-wing." It just proves how far the right has swung away from center. My husband remembers Specter as being a hard-liner, not a moderate.
whigumstyx - December 14th, 2009
the gop is broken, steel proves it. i believe that many have the right idea, abandon the party and create a new one. call it the conservative party and embrace what that really means. not this religious zealotry, limbaugh style demagoguery, or any other of the crazy fringe cult crud that has hijacked the party. i have a hard time finding any long time republcans that sympathize with the gop as it stands now…and the country deperately needs a unified sane counterbalance.
tomcolontonio - December 14th, 2009
Dear Free,
Actually, you have a good idea. There should be a party that stands for business interests, smaller, but effective governments, a strong defense, and balanced budgets. But, yes, let's please get out of people's bedrooms and underwear and quit trying to make everybody pray their way! My husband would be a Barry Goldwater Republican if he could. In retrospect, I find a great deal to respect about the late Senator from Arizona.
pjl57 - December 14th, 2009
"I am unwilling to have my twenty-nine year Senate record judged by the Pennsylvania Republican primary electorate." – Arlen Spectre's statement
No wonder democrats "respect" and "admire" him. He believes he's above the people (ie. voters).
EQ asks: Is this good or bad news for the country?
It means that the left (including Spectre) OWNS the pork barrel spending and the massive debt it incurs and can't blame anybody else for the coming disaster associated with it. They've anointed the children of our country (and many not yet born) with red ink.
American people don't dig one party rule. "Moderates" and independents will do what it takes to keep democrats in check.
Nitty_C - December 14th, 2009
@TGC Why would you say that he thinks that he is above the voters when the PA democrats outnumber the PA republicans 2 to 1.
vovdenk - December 14th, 2009
Actually, that would still be a tie. Further, due to court scheduling, MN still won't have a Senator probably until after Summer.
tomcolontonio - December 14th, 2009
And I suppose being a cokehead really doesn't matter to liberals.
Just_Leo - December 14th, 2009
Dear TGC,
Why should it? We had a drunk just leave the Oval Office. A sober drunk is no better or worse than someone who hasn't touched coke in just as long. And there are allegations of coke use there, too.