Specter on MTP now

[radiclib]

..providing a reality check for those who are all agog over an alleged "super-majority". He's no more a Dem than Leiberman.

[Trocadero]

1. he is a semi-lucid old man

[Orrex]

2. I'm not a particular fan of Specter, but would you rather have Toomey?

Sure, PA Dems might field a candidate to run against Specter in 2010, and they still might beat him in the primary, but either way Toomey is all but guaranteed a spot on the ticket. This way we might be able to keep him out of the Senate, at least.

[tridim]

3. Yep he's still a Republican

and he should be challenged hard in the primary.

I'm pretty disappointed.

[Yupster]

12. Any Democratic candidate with a little money

will beat him in the primary. Did you hear him keep saying "I am not a loyal Democrat".

I just pictured that on tv ads all through the primary.

He should have just retired.

[zbdent]

4. do not EVER trust this man ...

period.

[Snotcicles]

5. Dems are diluting the party. It's like pissing in your own punchbowl. nt

[davsand]

6. It was pretty plain that he still self IDs as a Moderate Republican.

It also was fairly clear that he feels the GOP has become something he is not comfortable with.

'Take your allies where you can find them, but know their limitations.'

With that in mind, my expectation is Specter will do nothing to help with Universal Health Care but he might be able to help with the confirmation of the SCOTUS nominees that Obama puts forward.

It maybe isn't the whole package, but I'll take it because we may be looking at a fairly substantial change in the SCOTUS over the next four years. Specter can be a huge help.


Laura

[otohara]

7. Pathetic & Desperate Like Lieberman

although I think Lieberman is mighty grateful Obama didn't chastise him after the election, or maybe he did. Joe-mentum sure has been quite since November 5th. I doubt Spector will be quiet and grateful that the democrats have welcomed him into their caucus.

I hope someone challenges him - Sorry Pres. Obama...but this thrill you speak of regarding Spector, will bite you in your tight little butt.

[davsand]

8. Was Obama supposed to say "Specter sucks, yuck we don't want him"?

Seriously. What would have been gained had Obama stood out front and publicly trashed Specter? At least this way they stand a chance of getting some cooperation out of him in certain cases. Obama appears to be willing to take half a loaf if it means staying alive to keep on fighting, and I respect hell out of that strategy.

I don't think Obama had a lot of choice on the matter if you want the truth. It is far better to at least try and keep stuff functional, IMO.


Laura

[otohara]

11. I Just Hope Someone Runs Against Specter

in the primaries if he continues to vote against Obama's agenda. So far, he's on track to do a whole lot of rejecting of President Obama's agenda.

It will sicken me to see Obama campaign for Specter if he's still voting with the party of NO 90+% of the time.

No where did I propose Obama "trash" and "reject" Specter, but I don't think POTUS should have jumped on the Specter wagon with such enthusiasm and promises of campaigning for him right off the bat.

[kentuck]

9. Any Democrat can win general election in PA except....

Arlen Specter.

[annabanana]

10. I'm betting he'll vote against Obama's Court pick... partly because

of this:

"I would expect him to support Obama's nominee unless it's a real radical," said Roger Pilon of the Cato Institute.

http://crooksandliars.com/susie-madrak/supreme-court-nomination-will-be-firs

[radiclib]

13. Don't worry

Obama won't nominate anyone who can be seen as radical by anyone to the left of Fox Noise.