Arlen Specter has surprised me (in a good way)

[scheming daemons]

I live in PA, and I always thought of him as an opportunist and a weasel... not really a conservative, not really a liberal.... but whatever he needs to be to stay in power.

But maybe his bouts with cancer have changed his world view somewhat.

Here's his latest quote:

"I understand the peril, but I didn't run for the United States Senate to further my own political interests," Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pennsylvania, said on CNN's "American Morning."

"I think when you have a decision like the one that we're facing now, there's only one way to respond and that's to respond with action," he said.

The hard right is going to come after this guy hard. But myself, being a Democrat who never voted for the guy before, I want to say this to Arlen (words I never thought I'd say):

I've got your back, Senator.

[panader0]

1. In November I was dissing him for being on the Warren Commission

This latest action from him is unexpected.

[scheming daemons]

2. Life-changing events change people....

Multiple bouts with cancer may have changed Arlen Specter's world view.

It's not unheard of. Faced with his own mortality, maybe he is turning over a new leaf.


He has faced down death twice.... maybe losing a senate election isn't as big a deal to him any more.

[babylonsister]

3. Hmmm.

I used to like Specter but he's disappointed me too many times. I'm still suspicious and wouldn't be at all surprised if he withdraws his 'support' for the stimulus pkg. before it's over. That's his m.o.

And "I didn't run for the United States Senate to further my own political interests" is a bald-faced lie imo. He's running now for the 2010 seat. And what was up with him trying to block Holder? Throwing his weight around, for nothing?

This is worth a gander...

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2009_02/016811.php

[Buzz Clik]

4. It is interesting how some of the GOP Senators can demonstrate leadership on occasion.

It usually doesn't last long, but a single good act can atone for a lot of horrid behavior.

[WI_DEM]

5. I'm happy he's on board but he also recognizes that he has a tough re-election fight next year

and that to oppose Obama could hurt him. Afterall Obama won PA by about 700,000 votes.

[blm]

6. Not to me - Specter has always done what truly powerful ELITE needed. He doesn't

do it because of any standard of his.

The Republicans would NEVER let the bailout or stimulus fail as too many of their cronies needed the help to fix their cooked books.

Republicans make a SHOW as if they are for or against certain bills, but always make sure they have some lawmaker voting in a way that 'appears' to be against the overall party.

GOPs didn't really WANT a balanced budget amendment to pass, but needed the SHOW - so, of course, some 'maverick' senators voted with the majority of Dems on that. Same with Clinton's impeachment and removal - GOPs didn't REALLY want Clinton removed, not the GOPs of BushInc who really run the party. They had Bush2 set to run for 2000 - they just needed Clinton WH to APPEAR damaged enough to hurt Gore.

Specter has long obliged the truly powerful of BushInc - he's been doing it for over 40years and he ain't gonna stop now.