Why I believe Obama Sanctioned the Switcheroo....

[WCGreen]

Arlen Specter is 79 years old. He is also a Cancer surviver. If it was me, I would have gladly faded away to enjoy the last few years of my life in retirement, but then again I am not burdened with a politically enhanced ego (sure I had the bug and ran for office a few times but that was oh so ten years ago).

So Arlen wants to hold on as long as he can. Odds are that he will not live out his term, I could be wrong, but actuarily speaking, Sen Specter is skating on thin ice.

Now we all know, and I am sure VP Biden and Pres Obama know as well, that Tooney would kick Arlen from here to political eternity in the GOP primary. And since this general election takes place in an "off year", it's really all about getting your people to the polls, Tooney could very win that seat. Not likely, but there is a greater chance if Specter is out of the picture.

Now Specter is the odds on favorite to win in November. He does, after all, have name recognition to die for. Anyway, he wins, the Dem's take a seat and even if Arlen is forced to resign due to health or perhaps dies during his term, the appointment would go to a democrat. Even if Randell is not occupying the Governors office when that happens, the Governor, even if a republican, would be under intense pressure to appoint another democrat.

All this verbiage amounts to this; never take anything at face value when it comes to politics. There are always scenarios and what ifs that go into every decision. I know this since I was employed by the democratic party here in Cleveland Ohio and literally lived, ate and slept politics for over ten years. And before that, I worked for the Ohio House Democratic Caucus. It's how they roll.

So think outside the box and think about political ramifications and potential what ifs when ever something like this Switcheroo happens. And remember, never sell short the imaginations of political strategists.

[babylonsister]

1. Obama might calculate that Specter's voice on healthcare

reform is worth the price of admission. Could be, too.

Besides, has any party ever told anyone they didn't want them? I can't imagine a scenario where that would happen, or if it's even legal.

[WCGreen]

2. He would have had that vote anyway, but it is good reason to welcome

the former Democrat turned republican turned democrat.

I like that he blatantly stated his reasons as being purely political. What do people think, these guys and gals operate in some altruistic bubble?

[MADem]

3. Obama said he wanted to reach out across the aisle. He got the stiff arm from the GOP leadership.

So the President of the Senate, a former Senator himself, reached out across the aisle.....and dragged back a "likely candidate."

Hey, they don't wanna play and keep their dignity, we'll pick 'em off, one by one.

That's what I think--Biden will grab the ones worth flipping, and say FU to the rest.

[SamCooke]

4. I worry about Obama publically befriending this guy

I don't trust Specter. I really wish they could find 2 dems to beat him and Lieberman.

[WCGreen]

5. Well Specter would be hard to beat in any election except for the

GOP primary.

[yardwork]

8. Too expensive and the party is too "moderate (center-right) to care.

Specter and Lieberman are just fine with Obama, Reid, and most of the rest of the Democrats. U.S. politics has moved so far to the right, the Democratic Party has washed right into Specter.

I don't like it but I see it.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

6. Political strategists live by their wits and their imaginations...

Well said!

Very savvy.

[yardwork]

7. That's it. This is about old-fashioned politics.

This way the Democrats don't have to spend a dime campaigning for senate in Pennsylvania. We get another senator in our caucus, giving us a filibuster-proof majority, a huge political advantage. We get to embarrass the Republicans right at Obama's 100-day mark. We escape the potential of having a hard-right Republican elected to Specter's chair. We hold the seat warm until a Democrat can win it.

This was a no-brainer.

Now put that congressional majority to work and repeal DADT!

[NancyG]

9. Specter mighta had to vote vs health care to win his primary.

Now he doesn't have to. A secure vote for a health care program. And for cloture.

That alone is worth it to me.

[JuniperLea]

10. I like how Specter's boat change...

Flies in the face of Boners whines:)

We heard just yesterday that the lack of bipartisanship is a blot on Obama's campaign promise record. Well folks, as much as I distrust Specter, I am just loving this smack in the noggin!

[WCGreen]

11. It is a good victory for the good guys...

and it makes Fox go banana wacko...