Arlen Specter dazzles at PA State Committee this weekend in Pittsburgh, PA

[PADEMJES12]

Arlen Specter woooing Democrats???? I was rather curious how Senator Specter would do at State Committee this past weekend in Pittsburgh. I was intrigued by the whole switch that has put some energy in the air, but Arlen certainly did not disappoint with a great speech discussing his streak of independence and support of Democratic initiatives at the first annual Catherine Baker Knoll dinner. I guess his track record speaks for itself as to why he always gains a 70% - 80% approval rating amongst Democrats. Specter's support of Judge Sotomayor's confirmation as a Supreme Court Justice was something that I needed to hear. It will be good for us to have a Democratic Senator with such influence and a chairmanship in the Judiciary Committee particularly since the next few years will likely yield multiple replacements on the Supreme Court. Specter was very friendly and outgoing while working the crowd. I for one join Senator Casey and Gov. Rendell in welcoming him to the Democratic Party. We are the "big tent party" now, which means with Specter's arrival thousands more Republicans will join the Democrats in PA. Specter's arrival also will be a tremendous asset in the 2010 Gubernatorial race, which looms large. Also, anyone who has seen Pat Toomey, Specter is correct in labeling him as "making Rick Santorum look like a liberal". In fact, this was my favorite comment of the evening. Toomey is a dangerous neo-con Club for Growth member who hates Unions, Democrats aside from Specter. Im going with a proven leader and winner to take out Toomey, a proven "snake in the grass" hiding and waiting to pounce.... Help defend this Democratic seat now on Act Blue at: http://www.actblue.com/entity/fundraisers/22204

[Bunny]

1. Arlen, is that you?

[PADEMJES12]

6. LOL.......... No no arlen here.

[JDPriestly]

2. Where does Specter stand on investigating and prosecuting the

torture by the Bush administration? Where does Specter stand on singlepayer health insurance? Where does Specter stand on card check? Where does Specter stand on choice? Is he a Democrat on these issues -- or a Republican? These are key issues in my mind.

[Bluzmann57]

3. Like we say around here

Even a blind squirrel can find a nut every so often. He turned his back on Labor when he said said he wouldn't support EFCA so screw him.

[PADEMJES12]

7. Specter is working out a compromise on that now

It is an important bill here in Pennsylvania. He is supporting speeding up the organizing process and provisions against employer interference. I think he will come around. Good news is he attended the EFCA rally at the Westin on Saturday and spoke. Im a pro-labor democrat myself and supported Specter in the past because he has been a big supporter of labor as displayed by his voting record. Hopefully they'll see the writing on the wall. It was apparent to everyone when Joe the Plumber came around PA campaigning w Pat Toomey against EFCA.

[AlinPA]

13. I have been a big supporter of Democrats who ran against the republican Specter.

[Cant trust em]

4. Is it a little weird that we have a "Democrats" forum on this site?

Isn't everything here democrat related?

[lovepg]

5. What did he wear that little black whore house dress again?

He does dazzle in that!!

[zbdent]

8. after so many accounts since 1/20/2001 of "voting was along party lines",

the Repukes get to claim that Arlen Spectre was a Dem all along?

Unreal ... seems like he was more than happy to be the party guy when they were in power ... always "squawking" until it came time to put his vote where his mouth was saying he was putting it ...

[PADEMJES12]

9. Specter mentioned "right wing" extremist Saturday....

Im glad us democrats aren't partisan moderate purgers like the right wing GOP. It is a good thing to welcome more moderates into the Democratic party in Pennsylvania, particularly w 2010 and re-districting on the horizon. He is right, they've purged their moderates and good thing... we're the "big tent party"

[AlinPA]

11. He is playing us for suckers just to win the election. Watch him switch back.

[zbdent]

12. EFCA vote was an immediate indicator

that he ain't likely to help Dems when it counts ...

that, after all the screaming about how Spectre was "never" a Republican ...

[PADEMJES12]

16. He pledged to make sure Sotomayor

will be confirmed, which is an encouraging sign of his dedication to helping the Obama Administration. Specter could be a key influence on the courts. Toomey had an article in i think it was the Post gazette talking about bringing back the filibuster as an effective tool.

[zbdent]

19. I remember quite a few times in the past 2 years where Spectre was making

plenty of talk about opposing something Bush put forward ... but then, when it came time to vote, he lined up with the party.

So, I am NOT taking him for his word ... I am waiting for his actions.

Remember, shortly after he was elected, initially, as a Dem, he switched over to Repug ... now, the wind is blowing against being a Repug, and he knows that he'd lose ... look at Santorum (remember, incumbent has a better chance of being elected) ... he got kicked out ...

It's going to take a LOT of convincing to get me to trust Spectre. And, if you do your research on D.U., I haven't been here with thousands of posts by being a troll or closet freepturd ...

[AlinPA]

10. How long do you think it will take him to switch back to republican after (if)

he wins the election. How can we trust him? Let's go Sestak.

[PADEMJES12]

14. Specter is a democrat for good

He's come full circle. He has been democratic on many issues and started out as a "JFK Democrat" in the 60s (quote from his speech in Pittsburgh). He has also constantly taken fierce heat for going against the Republicans. That is why he is respected because he is independent. Arlen assured us and it was refreshing to hear that he would be a good democrat at the meeting. I like Sestak too, but will support Specter. Those outside PA have a hard time understanding PA POLITICS and rightfully so. Specter gave the GOP the big middle finger which we all loved... he is not going back and trust me they wont take him. They're coming after this seat, and Specter is the "sure fire" candidate w the best chance to defeat Pat Toomey and bring this into the Democratic column.

[AlinPA]

15. My money (donations) will be with Sestak. I can trust him. It will be a tough primary,

and Sesak can refresh our memory of all the pro-Bush votes by Specter. I don't have the list here, but I remember him as lovingly supporting Santorum.

[PADEMJES12]

18. Hopefully we will not lose

Sestaks seat, which is what will happen if Sestak runs. We spent all that time
getting Weldon's seat in a GOP district....

[PADEMJES12]

17. Here is a link to Specter's speech in Pittsburgh....

http://community.post-gazette.com/blogs/earlyreturns/archive/2009/06/06/specter-s-pgh-speech.aspx

[invictus]

20. GO JOE SESTAK - DEMOCRAT - US SENATE 2010

[PADEMJES12]

21. take that Obama sticker down, Obama is the man and

he is for Arlen Specter! Don't wnat to confuse him as being for sestak, when he's
made crystal clear he's backing Specter.

[angryfirelord]

22. Spector has no ideals

He only switched parties because he knew he'd get the boot from the GOP primary. Sure, he might throw around some cutesy words, but he doesn't serve the interests of PA or the US. It's time for him to go.