Reuters:SNAP ANALYSIS - Specter defection a sharp blow to Republicans

[Douglas Carpenter]

SNAP ANALYSIS - Specter defection a sharp blow to Republicans

By Steve Holland

link:

http://uk.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUKTRE53R60M20090428

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Senator Arlen Specter's abrupt move to switch allegiance to President Barack Obama's Democratic Party was a sharp blow to Republicans and will likely generate more soul-searching for the minority party.

His decision to seek re-election as a Democrat next year was a nakedly political move to hang on to power.

* If he had remained a Republican, he faced a tough challenge for the party's nomination in Pennsylvania's 2010 Senate race from conservative Pat Toomey. The moderate Specter beat Toomey in a tight primary in 2004 but faced an even tougher battle this time.

* As far as the Republican base was concerned, his biggest Achilles' heel was his support for Obama's $787 billion (537 billion pound) economic stimulus bill. That bill passed the U.S. Congress in February with support from only three Republicans -- Specter and Maine senators Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe.

* Specter's announcement sharply criticized Republicans, who lost control of the U.S. Congress in 2006, and lost the White House and more seats in Congress in 2008. "I now find my political philosophy more in line with Democrats than Republicans," his statement said.

snip: " The new chairman of the Republican National Committee, Michael Steele, has his work cut out for him. He has his share of critics. Steele said after Specter, Collins and Snowe voted for the stimulus plan that perhaps the Republican Party should not provide funds to help them win their re-election bids. "Oh, yes, I'm always open to everything, baby, absolutely," Steele told the Fox News Channel in February"

Republican strategist Scott Reed said: "I always thought Specter would consider switching to become an independent to get re-elected, and it's too bad that Michael Steele pushed him into the Democrat Party."

link to full article:

http://uk.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUKTRE53R60M20090428?sp=true

[flpoljunkie]

1. That's the 'Democratic' Party to you, Mr. Scott Reed!

Republicans, tools of the Club for Growth, asked for this--and they got it. it is richly deserved.

[Cha]

5. I zoomed by that so fast..I

I didn't even notice he got all pissy and said what he said..too bad for him that Senator Arlen Specter is switching over to the Democratic Party:party:

Musing..Wonder if the cmedia will bring out zellout miller to reminisce on his defection that worked out so well for the repukes?

[DrToast]

2. As in....OH SNAP!

;)

[Enrique]

3. and you know that can't be bad n/t

[Cha]

4. SUH NAP!

"Republican strategist Scott Reed said: "I always thought Specter would consider switching to become an independent to get re-elected, and it's too bad that Michael Steele pushed him into the Democrat Party."

What a little treat for Prez Obama's "Hallmark First 100 Days"..eat that cmwhores.

[Yukari Yakumo]

6. Something tells me Steele's days are numbered. {nt}