Arlen Specter Now a Democrat
Republican Pennsylvania Senator Arlen Specter whom has been serving in the same position since Ronald Reagen was in the White House announced today that he would be running in the Democratic Primary in 2010. He cited reason for the switch was due to the Republicans hard shift to the extreme right in recent years. Perhaps he has seen a shift many others have failed to take notice of. Perhaps it was the out of control spending, erosion of civil liberties, terrible economic decisions like the Troubled Asset Relief Program, misguided wars, or bailout of the automakers by the George Bush administration and Republicans in Congress over the last decade.
Last I checked however the new Barack Obama administration has followed the Bush administrations lead on greater intrusion into the economy, more bailouts, more spending, more debt, an increase in troops on the ground in Afghanistan, and a continued erosion of civil liberties. What is the difference? Last I checked these were all liberal left wing positions. The Senator has been a liberal for years and is finally telling the truth.
Perhaps his reason for switching parties was not due to a shift to the right in the Republican Party, which has already been debunked as a complete myth, but because of his desire for power. He cited specifically falling poll numbers and Rasmussen Reports backs this reason up. In the lastest Rasmussen Reports polling data for the 2010 Republican Primary, Arlen Specter trails challenger Congressmen Pat Toomey 51%-30%. The Senator has higher approval rates among Democrats than Republicans, which he clearly stated today as his only legitimate reason for switching parties.
In the end Republicans must ask themselves if losing Arlen Specter is bad for the Republican Party. If they didn't figure out the question yet then it is quite clear Republicans have not yet learned there lesson. Republicans, I'll give you a hint: it is you shift to the center by the entry of members such as Arlen Specter that have led to your downfall from power.
Many Republicans are labeling Specter as Benedict Specter in reference to Benedict Arnold, an American Revolutionary War officer who turned his back on America during one of its most crucial times. Republicans, wake up! Specter is not a traitor to your own party but the American people as his voting record over his decades in service prove. Instead be glad your party has been purged by one of its most liberal members that has helped lead to your downfall.
Senator Specter, instead of switching parties and continuing to support devastating policies for America, please do all Americans a favor and retire! Your press conference was quite clear in that your primary reason for switching parties is your desire and fondness for power. You are simply another sound argument in favor of passing term limits for America's legislative branch!
I have another hint for Republicans, if you are lucky several other members of your party will follow Specters lead. Do I really need to name any names?
Source: FoxNews.com: Longtime GOP Sen. Specter Joins Democratic Party
