Specter: "I'm Going To Have To Talk" With Reid About Claim I'll Be There On Procedural Votes

[brooklynite]

from Talking Points Memo:

As if the situation with Sen. Arlen Specter (D-PA) couldn't be a bigger mess, he is now disputing Harry Reid's contention that he'll be a solid procedural vote for the Democrats.

Yesterday, you'll recall, Reid said on MSNBC yesterday, "on procedural votes he'll be with us all the time."

Well, Fox News caught up with Specter today and asked him about that: "Specter merely smiled and repeated several times, 'I'm going to have to talk to Sen. Reid about that.'"

I have to say I'm really puzzled by this whole squabble. I accept the notion that Specter's only in this Party switch for his own benefit, and that that his overall voting record is probably acceptable to the Pennsylvania electorate in a General Election, but he has to realize that he's got to offer up something to get Democrats to support him in the Primary.

[annabanana]

1. Jousting for Committee assignments. . .that's all. . .n/t

[ananda]

2. LOL.

This from Arlen "I'm pretending to be a Dem
so I can compete in the PA primary, but
intend to be a law unto myself and screw
most of the Dem agenda" Specter.

Sheesh.

[LakeSamish706]

3. "I accept the notion that Specter's only in this Party switch" I don't accept that...

at all! He should never been allowed into the party under those conditions... Full Stop. Edited to say: It seems to be all about the Good Old Boys Club instead of Party Loyalty...

[Canuckistanian]

4. A pig in a poke

That's what Reid and Biden bought. NO assurances. NO guarantees. But Specter gets to keep his seat.

How is this such a great deal again?

[ProgressiveProfessor]

18. Looks to have gone both ways on that one

Specter feels he was lied to as well. Then there is the groundswell of support for Sestak to run against him and kick his ass. Specter had a chance to make a graceful exit and squandered it.

[graywarrior]

5. God damn egos.

:banghead:

[robinlynne]

6. not really. Obama already offered him his support. for nothing.

Luckily I dont think THE PEOPLE will vote for him against a Dem Challenger. But the Democrats in COngress/Senate do not represent THE PEOPLE, do they?

[LiberalAndProud]

7. Where would I contribute to the defeat $pectre fund?

I think I shall donate early and often. Donkeys, Elephants and Weasels (Lieberman, $pectre and their ilk).

[jaxx]

8. I just sent a note to Durbin.

Specter isn't playing ball....and we can't count on him. No more gifts of subcommittee chairmanships please.

[Dogmudgeon]

9. Specter COMES through, or he IS through

I like Arlen as a Democrat, too, but he's seriously misjudging the Pennsylvania electorate if he thinks it's still reliably conservative and does not read. Joe Sestak will have no trouble winning the Primary if Specter alienates his new base.

No one should expect ANY senator to vote Party 100% of the time. But we have an agenda that Specter should help advance. If that's too much for Arlen, then this will be his last term in the Senate.

--d!

[lsewpershad]

10. Arlen

the repuke has never been and will never be a democrat. The Specter has only been for Specter.

[high density]

11. The guy is an old selfish asshole.

I think Specter is going to find that the Dem side is as hostile as the Repuke side if he can't put in any effort to at least appear to be a Democrat.

[Blackhatjack]

12. Think about this for a minute ... who holds the winning cards? Specter or Reid? No brainer....

Is Specter going to go back to the Repub Party, who eat their own and hold grudges forever? NO.

Is Specter going to withdraw from the Democratic Party which holds the only chance for him to be reelected in 2010? Not likely.

Is Specter going to pull a Leiberman "create my own party" and run as an independent? Very not likely.

So I think Reid holds the winning hand here --and will remind Specter of his Democratic Party designation, and how he should vote.

Although he may not admit to it in public, Arlen will face some choices soon that will require him to vote with the Dems or leave.

[opihimoimoi]

13. Spector the Defector is halfway into the Guillotine loading dock....

We gonna get a Dem from Penn nx year.......it don't have to be Spector who seems to have much baggage

[butterfly77]

14. Joe Sestak...

[Political Heretic]

15. What a mess.

[DireStrike]

16. This is bluster as far as I can tell

He's just making himself look good.

And if he's not, we vote him the fuck out.

[Jakes Progress]

17. He's here. He's a dino.

Get used to it.