Making a big deal out of the Specter joke makes us look as dumb as the majority of Freepers.

[phleshdef]

Go against the guy on policies and the way he has voted in the past and the way he may possibly continue to vote on certain things. That cool.

But the comment about Coleman was a painfully obvious joke. They were asking about "Jewish REPUBLICANS" and his concern regarding the lack of them and he made the comment he made. In context, Coleman would be the only Republican in the senate if he somehow managed to steal it from Al (which everyone in Washington, including Specter, knows that is not very likely to happen, regardless of how long they draw it out).

The bottom line was, whether or not you find the comment to be humorous, it was NOT A SERIOUS CALL TO HAVE COLEMAN SEATED. If you think it was, you need to have your communication interpretation skills re-evaluated.

Stick to the issues and stop getting wound up over petty, meaningless BS like this.

[stray cat]

1. we may be....

[babylonsister]

2. Sen. Reid took it seriously...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=5600345&mesg_id=5600345

Reid Spokesman: "We Are Just Going To Have To Disagree" With Specter About Minn. Senate Race
By Eric Kleefeld - May 5, 2009, 4:59PM

Harry Reid spokesman Jim Manley gives us a comment about Sen. Arlen Specter's (D-PA) apparent desire for Norm Coleman to win the disputed Minnesota Senate race.

"Well, on that one we are just going to have to disagree," Manley writes, "because as far as Senator Reid and the people of Minnesota are concerned, Al Franken is going to be the next Senator from Minnesota."

[phleshdef]

3. Then Reid's spokesman fits in the category I'm talking about.

[babylonsister]

14. Why are you so sure he was kidding? He was being interviewed

by NYT Mag. Is reality too frightening?

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2009/05/05/specter_wants_coleman_to_win.html

Specter Wants Coleman to Win

In an interview with the New York Times Magazine, Sen. Arlen Specter (D-PA) said he hopes Norm Coleman (R) prevails in his Senate recount court fight against Al Franken (D) in Minnesota.

Said Specter: "There's still time for the Minnesota courts to do justice and declare Norm Coleman the winner."

If Specter is looking for a Democratic primary opponent, this statement will certainly help him get one.

Meanwhile, Rep. Joe Sestak (D-PA) told ABC News that while he hasn't made up his mind, he's closer to seeking the Democratic Senate nomination than he was before Specter's party switch.

[phleshdef]

19. The question he answered made it obvious.

[babylonsister]

21. I'll wait to hear it confirmed it was a joke. He also claims he never said

he'd be a loyal Dem when he clearly did, so sorry, I'll remain skeptical for now.

[Xipe Totec]

4. Talk sense, please,

don't assume everybody follows every nuance of what every politician said, and when.

[annabanana]

8. here:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/05/05/specter-norm-coleman-shou_n_197057.html

[annabanana]

5. To be fair.. Most of us heard it online and out of context....

When you hear the whole exchange, it becomes pretty clear that he was joking...

[phleshdef]

7. Yea, I'll submit that. Thats why we need to be careful how quick we buy into certain "stories".

[Enrique]

12. where can I see the context?

I clicked through about ten zillion links and got to a page saying the full interview is in Sunday's NY Times magazine.

[phleshdef]

15. The context is explained in my OP.

[Enrique]

16. where did you see the Jewish republicans part? n/t

[phleshdef]

18. Q was "With your departure from the Republican Party, there are no more Jewish Republicans..."

"...in the Senate. Do you care about that?"

[Dinger]

6. Yeah, Use Common Sense, TRUST arlen!

NOT

[phleshdef]

10. It has nothing to do with political trust. Common sense dictates what is serious and what is not.

Read my OP. I see all kinds of reasons to criticize Specter. This isn't one of them.

[annabanana]

11. Joke or no.. We are right to be wary of this Dem/Repug/Dem

Arlen for Arlen guy.

[phleshdef]

13. For sure, but we need to avoid silly stuff that has no merit...

... and stick to the problems that are full of nothing but merit.

[TheCowsCameHome]

9. The only joke here is the process keeping Al Franken from being seated.

Sen. Al Franken should be seated NOW.

All else is just total BS.

[phleshdef]

17. True that.

[valerief]

20. His votes are no joke. nt

[stillcool]

22. thanks..glad I came upon your post...

before I clicked on another one going off on a tirade. Context is everything.

[mvd]

23. Most DUers probably didn't see the Seinfeld part of the interview

I know I didn't - and considering Specter, how can you tell from those couple lines? I still think it needs clarification from Specter.

[Occam Bandage]

24. It would have been possible to construct that joke without

claiming that it would be justice for Norm Coleman to win. Had he said, "Hey, Norm Coleman's still got a shot," that would have made the point without claiming he wants Norm to win.

[phleshdef]

26. Yea, thats why he shouldn't quit his day job.

[Celebration]

25. Completely agree, and I can't stand the guy

I couldn't stand him ever since he trashed Anita Hill.

But this was completely an OBVIOUS joke, albeit a bad one.

[depakid]

27. In the larger context of other events and statements

I don't know if it was "a joke" or not, and certainly wasn't "obvious."

[WeDidIt]

28. I don't have a clue what you're talking about

so here's a picture of sarah palin with a pancake on her head:

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bEBzZgZ5Tmc/SRIYPY0uQAI/AAAAAAAAPbs/18n409opNvc/s400/sarah+palin+pancake+2.jpg

BTW, Specter was dead serious about Coleman.

[babylonsister]

29. Oopsie. Wrong...

Specter Backs Away from Coleman

Sen. Arlen Specter (D-PA) reversed himself from comments he made in an interview in which he said he wanted Norm Coleman (R) to prevail in the disputed Minnesota Senate race against Al Franken (D), CQ Politics reports.

Said Specter: "In the swirl of moving from one caucus to another, I have to get used to my new teammates. I'm ordinarily pretty correct in what I say. I've made a career of being precise. I conclusively misspoke."

Asked who he's backing now in elections, Specter said, "I'm looking for more Democratic members. Nothing personal."

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x8392478

Thanks, Jefferson Dem!

[tkmorris]

30. I think a serious mea maxima culpa is in order here

Only way to save face.

:beer:

[BlooInBloo]

31. No, only those who sincerely think it was a joke look that dumb.