The Dems allowed Lieberman to keep his Chairmanship even AFTER campaigning for McCain

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

Lieberman should have been stripped of his chairmanship in my opinion, but I imagine that is part of the reason Specter thought there was some chance in hell he would retain his seniority. I doubt very much that Specter would have made the move if he thought he would lose his seniority.

However, if he did rely on a promise from Harry Reid, he was foolish, since he must be well aware that it is the caucus who decides and not Harry Reid by fiat. Perhaps he was under the impression that Obama, Biden and Reid together could swing it, and perhaps they could have, if he hadn't torpedoed himself with his series of contradictory statements and stances.

Truth be told, I feel sorry for Specter. I think he made a bold move that has subsequently backfired. He is literally now a man without a Party. He can try to go back to the Repubs and say he was lied to, but would they want him? He can attempt to be an independent, but he'd have a hard time putting that together before the election. His best option is to attempt to be a good Democrat and hope that after the next elections he regains his seniority, possibly with some accommodation of those who outrank him in the Party,if not the Senate.

[malaise]

1. Why are you sorry for a man who was prepared to get up

on TV and say he is switching parties because he will lose the primary in his own party.

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

5. Actually, I admired that he was so open about his motives being political expediency

He and Lieberman are twin sons of different mothers, their political careers being held sacred above all else, even the wishes of their constituencies.

I feel sorry for him as a human being. It's a mini Shakespearean drama of an old lion being humbled.

[NV Whino]

2. Lieberman was technically an Independent

[baldguy]

3. Lieberman promised to caucus with the Dems for control of the Senate.

Specter hasn't promised anything.

[firedupdem]

4. Lieberman votes with the Dems on most issues...especially the

most important ones. I kinda think a little dementia is settling in with Specter. He seems very lost.

[tritsofme]

6. In the 110th Congress, there were 50 Democrats 49 Republicans and Joe Lieberman.

Lieberman allowed us to have the majority during that Congress.

Specter is purely just trying to save his ass. He has nothing to offer the caucus, and will probably be defeated by Tom Ridge.

*fixed my years

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

7. I am speaking of the 111th Congress.

which began with 56 Dems and 41 Repubs 2 Independents and 1 disputed seat(Franken's)

http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2008/11/18/lieberman-to-keep-his-senate-chairmanship/

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

8. I thought the handicapping thought that Toomey beats Ridge in the primary

Who even knows if Ridge will run in PA - he has some other choices.

Specter has a small window of time to organize his thoughts and try to present coherently to his constituents what he actually stands for and believes in. At the moment, his platform is an echo of the John McCain "Mavricky" ploy - i.e. "I'm so screwed up, I don't even know what I think."