Specter has been a better Democrat than most Blue Dogs?

[denem]

Spills the beans on anti-everything strategy:

"Sen. DeMint is the author of the famous statement that this is going to be President Obama's 'Waterloo,' that this ought to be used to break the president," said Specter, referring to the political battle over health care. "So that before the ink was dry on the oath of office -- and I know this, because I was in the caucus -- the Republicans were already plotting ways to beat President Obama in 2012."

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/12/specter-republicans-plotted-early-to-stop-bipartisanship-beat-obama-in-2012.php?ref=fbfp

[totodeinhere]

1. I still don't trust him. n/t

[denem]

2. How much do you trust the average Blue Dog?

[totodeinhere]

10. At least with the dogs we know what we're getting.

But with Uncle Arlen I'm not so sure. His only priority is political survival. Don't think for a minute that he wouldn't change sides again if he thinks it's the politically expedient thing to do.

[Tippy]

25. Who was it that said

“I don’t want to drum anybody out of the party. One of the Democrats’ greatest strengths is their ability to encompass a broad range of views within the party. We can’t become the majority party by trying to read people out.” Who was that voice of conservative tolerance?

It was Congressman Richard Cheney. Now Cheney’s heirs have driven Arlen Specter back into the Democratic Party he left four decades ago.

[niceypoo]

23. Many here who ranted against them for months

...suddenly walk in lockstep with them on healthcare. Go figure.

[IndianaGreen]

3. The man that gave us single bullet theory must be defeated

He began his political career as a Democrat, then became a Republican when it became expedient. He is now a Democrat again, only because he couldn't win the GOP primary.

Enough of this old fart! Go Joe Sestak!

[denem]

4. So you are more partial to the likes of Ellsworth and Stupak?

[IndianaGreen]

8. Specter is as trustworthy as Joe Lieberman, plus he is a scumbag

Just because some have anointed this POS it doesn't follow that the people of Pennsylvania have to follow suit.

[denem]

9. Nup. I think Lieberman is in a class of his own.

He OWNS scumbag, and every other pejorative.

[Mass]

5. This shows what a primary can do to you. Specter is not a better Democrat than most Blue Dogs. He is

a more challenged DINO than they are.

[burning rain]

6. He always plays this game of being a good guy, loyal to his party, before a primary.

After he's won reelection, he becomes crappy old unreliable Arlen again. He did it as a Republican, spending most of his time flopping about in the middle, then tacking right before a primary. Now he's doing much the same thing as a Democrat, tacking left for the primary. We can only count on his vote until the 2010 general election, after which time he'll predictably move somewhat to the right. That said, I'd certainly vote for him over that maniac Toomey. And I have to have some respect for a mean, tough campaigner and survivor like Arlen, who's persevered in Pennsylvania politics thanks to a shrewd mind and an appetite for hard work--and despite having exactly no charisma.

[WeDidIt]

7. Talk to me November 3, 2010

For now, I support Joe Sestak as I think he's more likely to be progressive come November 3, 2010.

[Cha]

11. From what I've seen lately

he most certainly is and if it's as sincere as I think then it must be very freeing for him.

If he changes and I'm wrong then so be it.

[jenmito]

14. I agree...

he's like an ex-smoker who now hates smoking and everything to do with smoking.

[Cha]

15. That'd be

me for the last 40 years.:)

[jenmito]

16. You mean

literally? An ex-smoker?

[Cha]

18. Yeah, for two years in the '70's..

so glad I stopped. It's brutal.

[jenmito]

19. Wow...

good thing you quit! You'd probably be either dead or broke by now if you hadn't quit. My whole family is allergic to smoke. My husband smoked a pack a day until he wanted to go out with me. He quit. It's been 12 years for him now.

[Cha]

20. Good for you making

your husband quit. I made somebody stop in the '90's and he still thanks me to this day.

[wisteria]

12. I agree with your comments. n/t

[backscatter712]

13. Amazing how much a primary challenger affects his attitude... n/t

[Vidar]

17. Yes, he has.

[struggle4progress]

21. Specter plays political games very well -- especially "Say one thing, do another"

[ProgressOnTheMove]

22. I do understand the mistrust and maybe I'm naive, but seeing he was confused by the party disunity..

when he joined the Democratic caucus, I can only feel he is in this to be the real deal and repent a few "sins". He's also highlighted that his record has supported labor for a large part too. So, given the options out there PA could do far worse than take a chance on Specter.

[S_E_Fudd]

24. He is doing a great job...

Definitely worthy of reelection...

[MgtPA]

26. He is, and always has been, pro choice.

to my knowledge.

[TheKentuckian]

27. A primary challenger and a tough teabaggish general means he can't play blue dog

He's at least in the middle of the caucus now but should he be reelected it is more than possible he'll move substantially to the right because he never has to worry about running again.

Sestack is a much safer bet.

[Jennicut]

28. Lieberman is my Senator and I would gladly take Specter over him right now.

Specter is desperate to stay a Senator but will do whatever it takes to stay in office and it is what his voters want, a more liberal to moderate Senator. Loserman could give a crap less about what we want here in CT. I doubt he cares if he gets reelected, he has a cushy health industry lobby job lined up I am sure.

[WI_DEM]

29. his voting record has usually always been better than some of the bluedog dems

even when he was a republican. But he really has moved to the left in the last several months, I think due to the primary challenge in PA.

[invictus]

30. JOE SESTAK - SENATE - 2010

http://joesestak.com/Home/Home.html

[Orsino]

31. Are we supposed to be shocked that Republicans wanted the WH in 2012?

Or that they would begin plotting their opposition right after the Inauguration?

Specter's wrong--the plotting never stopped. He's telling us nothing here.