How long will Specter's honeymoon last before the Democrats turn on him?
By Taskr36
@Taskr36 (13963)
United States
April 30, 2009 2:57pm CST
The democrats in congress have made it clear that they have no tolerance for moderates in their party. They ousted Lieberman for not being liberal enough with a 75% voting record and they've systematically removed those who don't tow the party line. 16 of their 58 senators towed the party line 100% of the time versus the ONE Republican who towed the party line last year. They are excited now that Specter has changed that BS letter next to his name from an "R" to a "D", but his 50% voting record isn't likely to change with the letter.
So what do you think? Will they embrace him until he votes against Obama on an issue, or will his free ride last a year? Will they support his opposition in the democratic primaries or will they really rally behind him? How long till he's treated like a pariah the way Lieberman was?
1 person likes this
3 responses
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
30 Apr 09
Exactly HOW did the "Democrats in Congress" oust Lieberman? He LOST in the Democratic primary in Connecticut and then won as an independent, but you knew that already. Arlen Specter doesn't have that option, but you knew that already, too, or didn't you? It was the staunchly anti-war movement that "turned" on Lieberman in 2006 and the issue of his chairmanships came up later, during the Presidential campaign when he endorsed and later campaigned for McCain and badmouthed Obama in a very personal and hurtful way, something Lieberman himself later acknowledged.
I'm not even sure what you mean by a "free ride" for Specter. You ARE right, his votes on bills will be the same as they would have been had he remained a Republican. He'll be with Obama sometimes and against him sometimes - he already DID vote against the President, in fact! There are two people who I have no doubt will support Specter in the primary, if anyone opposes him which is unclear at this time, and they are Vice President Biden, a Pa. native and Governor Rendell, who was hired by Specter years ago.
Annie
@lilwonders456 (8214)
• United States
30 Apr 09
They actually held meetings to decide how they were going to "punish" lieberman.
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
30 Apr 09
Lil, when did these meetings you're referring to take place? There were discussions among the Senate leadership after Lieberman's negative attacks on Obama regarding his committee chairmanships, that's well known but the voters of his state "ousted" him from being the Democratic Senate candidate.
Annie
@lilwonders456 (8214)
• United States
30 Apr 09
those are ones I am talking about. He said some negative things about Obama so they got together and were talking about taking some of his chairmanships from him as punishment. We have free speech. And just because you are in a party does not mean you HAVE to support the candidate running in it.
I think that is part of the problem. The congressmen are told to fall in line wether they like it or not and back their parties candidate or else.
I know they were mad he went to the GOP convention. But they should not have "punished" him for it.
Just like if a republican member of congress decide to back a candidate in a different party that is should not be a punishable offense. Neither should speaking at their convention.
It traps them into party lines and not who they think is best for the job. People being trapped in party lines is exactly what is wrong with this country.
@Destiny007 (5805)
• United States
1 May 09
His honeymoon will end the first time he fails to support the party line.
He was a democrat before he was a republican, and he left the party in order to save his political career, which is the same reason that he changed back now.
He is in politics only to serve himself, as are many others.... most of them in fact.
@gewcew23 (8007)
• United States
30 Apr 09
For right now they will because Specter is a good story. Wait until they need Specter's vote on an issue like card check. It will go something like this, Reid calls Specter into his office and says I need your support on card check. Specter will say "It is not a good time since I am up for re-election". Reid will reply "Do you remember what happen to Joe".
