It's the message that Spector's switch sends to voters about the GOP that Counts!

[FrenchieCat]

Be ready to see the Republicans lessen their ranks even more.

More Moderate Republicans will be leaving the GOP in the ensuing weeks.

[Puzzler]

1. Olympia Snowe next?

.

[Vinca]

4. That crossed my mine, too. Or maybe Susan Collins.

[Cha]

19. Just read this about Collins reaction to Arlen's Switch..

"A few minutes earlier, Maine Republican Susan Collins walked in, lamenting the move, "I am very, very disappointed. It means there will be no more checks and balances on Democratic control."

http://blogs.abcnews.com/george/2009/04/specter-switche.html

[BeyondGeography]

12. Snowe and Collins can get elected as Republicans in Maine as long as they want

Different story for Specter in Pa., between the primary challenges and whomever he would have faced on the Democratic side. Self-preservation is rule #1 for these guys.

[vaberella]

20. Isn't Snowe running for Governor last I heard? n/t

[Romulox]

2. Isn't the message that Dems and Repubs are pretty similar?

It's not like Arlen woke up today as a new person. He is the same guy who has called himself a Repub all of these years...

[Andy823]

7. There are a lot of moderates

In the republican party, but they have been "towing" the line so far. Spector, Snowe, and Collins broke that unity earlier this year, and the hard liners in the party were really ticked off. The leadership in the republican party want to support more hardline republicans in the primaries next year, so the money for all those they think are "to moderate" will be given to the more hardline candidates. Those who see this coming have a choice, hope they can find the money to win, get tougher and try and prove they are "hardline" republicans, or become democrats or independents! The more that opt for the last choice, the better!

[Romulox]

8. Right, but a "moderate Republican" is STILL right of center.

[BoneDaddy]

22. And is still preferable to "far right

of center".

[asphalt.jungle]

10. no the message is that there is room for moderate thought in one party and not in the other

we don't want the democratic party becoming like the republican party with the party faithful only voting for the most pure in the primaries and then not being able to win general elections.

arlen spector the republican is pro choice, bob casey the democrat is anti-choice. before spector switched we had blue dog senators who were more conservative than him.

[Romulox]

11. Right. But he was a moderate REPUBLICAN yesterday--that means Center/Right

"we don't want the democratic party becoming like the republican party with the party faithful only voting for the most pure in the primaries and then not being able to win general elections. "

Given Arlen Specter's lack of popularity among his own constituents, this statement is ironic, to say the least!

[asphalt.jungle]

13. he was unpopular among the freeptard Republicans in PA, but not statewide

For years Arlen Specter's biggest worry was the Republican primaries. His margins of victory were narrower in the primary contests than they were in the statewide elections. He already had the support of more moderate/conservative democrats and the independents of the state.

There is diversity of thought in the Democratic party, there isn't in the Republican party.

So I don't see how my comment was ironic, my point is that we should be glad our party is diverse enough that Arlen Specter can find about 9-10 senators already in the party similar to him and probably more conservative than he is. His now fellow Democratic Senator from PA is anti-choice, while Specter was a pro-choice Republican (now Democrat). The Republican party's problem right now is that there isn't enough diversity of thought in the party ranks and only the most pure wins primary contests outside of Maine. We don't want to become like them.

[Romulox]

14. I'll read that if you edit it.

[asphalt.jungle]

15. the format? ok edited. n/m

[Andy823]

3. Could be.

I think that the hard core people in the party are trying to "clean" out anyone who won't stick with the party of NO, NO, NO! the moderates have been targeted, and they will have a choice. They can take a chance in the primaries with a more hard line republican candidate that will be supported by party money, or they can think about switching sides. Spector could lead the way for the others, I hope so, and that would really make the republican party lose any power they may have in congress, and pretty much prove that the country is tired of them, and change is on the way.

[tblue37]

17. He might very well be involved in persuasive discussions

with Snowe and COllins, too. He could talk them into moving over, perhaps, even if his example by itself is not persuasive enough.

[Parker CA]

5. First thought that came to my mind too. He's making a bold statement about the current GOP. n.t

[grantcart]

6. This is the end of the Republican Party in the NorthEast

[Patiod]

16. Nail in the coffin

:bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

[DrToast]

9. Yep, let's get that man on some talk shows...

So he can repeat how he didn't recognize the party anymore.

[vaberella]

18. Yuppers. I'm just waiting for Franken to be cleared & I'll be happy as a swine in lipstick. n/t

[BoneDaddy]

21. EXACTLY

To me this is a HUGE public relations boost for Obama. IT is a recognition that the current GoP is a disaster. That will send alot of confusion among the republican masses.

[FrenchieCat]

23. AYe....in particular those Republicans who are seeing a tax cut in their check

everytime they are paid. They must be scratching their ass, trying to figure out how to reconcile what they are putting into the bank and what Rush Limbaugh is talking about.