# Sen. Arlen Specter (PA) to become a Democrat **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [April 28, 2009, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-arlen-specter-pa-to-become-a-democrat/494627 "2009-04-28T16:09:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2009, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-arlen-specter-pa-to-become-a-democrat/494627/1 "2009-04-28T16:09:49Z")
I sure as hell didn’t see this one coming. While I’ve said many times that the 60-vote majority thing isn’t as big a deal as the press makes it out to be, it does say something about where the GOP is at. He was likely to face a tough primary race, but I didn’t think this was ever an option. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2009, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-arlen-specter-pa-to-become-a-democrat/494627/2 "2009-04-28T16:13:11Z")
This is huge. Disappointing, too. ---
**Author:** ![HelenTroy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/helentroy/32/86_2.png) [@HelenTroy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HelenTroy)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2009, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-arlen-specter-pa-to-become-a-democrat/494627/3 "2009-04-28T16:17:01Z")
I was just coming here to post this! I think I just peed myself a little reading the stroy. Additional info at this link. This may improve his standing in the race in PA as he was facing tough competition from Toomey. Also this may truley prevent Rendell from running. > **[Specter switching parties](https://www.politico.com/blogs/ben-smith/2009/04/specter-switching-parties-017889)** > > Blog: A source involved in the talks confirms that Senator Arlen Specter will switch to the Democratic Party, a dramatic move putting the Democrats within ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2009, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-arlen-specter-pa-to-become-a-democrat/494627/4 "2009-04-28T16:17:03Z")
Chortlesome. Warm glow all over. A pony. Not a big pony, not a very pretty pony, but still, a pony. What does that make now, number of Democrat Socialists in the Senate? I had that number right at my fingertips, but seems to have slipped away… ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2009, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-arlen-specter-pa-to-become-a-democrat/494627/5 "2009-04-28T16:21:03Z")
If Al Franken is seated, this gives the Dems a filibuster buster. ---
**Author:** ![Maeglin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8baadc/32.png) [@Maeglin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maeglin)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2009, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-arlen-specter-pa-to-become-a-democrat/494627/6 "2009-04-28T16:23:39Z")
I am vaguely concerned that this move will accelerate the Democratic party’s self-destruction in the legislature. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2009, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-arlen-specter-pa-to-become-a-democrat/494627/7 "2009-04-28T16:23:42Z")
Before people get all chortlesome, remember that calling himself a Democrat, even caucusing with the Democrats, doesn’t mean he’s going to vote like a Democrat. He’s a natural Blue Dog if he’s anything (well, whatever the Blue Dogs in the Senate call themselves…the Bhaybees?). This is pure ass-coverage, a moderate Republican being unceremoniously kicked over the line by a Republican party that’s converging on Black Holedom piece by piece. The writing was on the wall that the crazy Republican base was going to vote for Toomey in a primary. However, it’s no guarantee that Specter will survive a Dem primary, either. In fact, the single vote that will probably decide whether he wins nomination in the Dem party next year is going to be EFCA (the Employee Free Choice Act). If he votes with the majority of the Dems on it, he’ll get union support in the primary (which is HUGE in PA). If he goes with his up-to-now position on it and votes against, he will NOT receive union support. It’s up to him. If he made this switch and then doesn’t vote right on EFCA, he’s an idiot. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2009, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-arlen-specter-pa-to-become-a-democrat/494627/8 "2009-04-28T16:25:59Z")
> [@HelenTroy](#): > > I was just coming here to post this! I think I just peed myself a little reading the stroy. Additional info at this link. This may improve his standing in the race in PA as he was facing tough competition from Toomey. Also this may truley prevent Rendell from running. > > [http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0409/Specter\_switching\_parties.html](http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0409/Specter_switching_parties.html) Rendell wouldn’t have run even if Specter ran as a Republican. Rendell and Specter are likethis. Specter was Ed’s mentor and first boss in government (when Specter was the Philly DA). He wouldn’t have run against him regardless. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2009, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-arlen-specter-pa-to-become-a-democrat/494627/9 "2009-04-28T16:33:00Z")
Okay, having read his official statement, I think I can safely say that the man is insane. He specifically said that his stance on EFCA will not change. Does he really think he can win a Dem primary in PA without labor? Seriously? ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2009, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-arlen-specter-pa-to-become-a-democrat/494627/10 "2009-04-28T16:35:45Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > Before people get all chortlesome, remember that calling himself a Democrat, even caucusing with the Democrats, doesn’t mean he’s going to vote like a Democrat. Yes, we shall dub him “Ben Nelson Jr.” [Club for Growth Speechless on Specter Switch](http://washingtonindependent.com/40799/club-for-growth-speechless-on-specter-switch) > [@](#): > > “I’m still at a loss,” said Soloveichik. “I don’t know if we’re going to put anything out.” The Club was taken completely by surprise and is not yet discussing the effect that Toomey’s decision may have had on forcing Specter over to the Democrats. No one could have predicted… 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2009, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-arlen-specter-pa-to-become-a-democrat/494627/11 "2009-04-28T16:41:20Z")
> [@](#): > > Before people get all chortlesome, remember that calling himself a Democrat, even caucusing with the Democrats, doesn’t mean he’s going to vote like a Democrat. He’s a natural Blue Dog if he’s anything This is what I was going to post. Before, he was a Republican who voted with the Democrats on some issues, and with the Republicans on others. Now, he’s going to be a Democrat who votes with the Democrats on some issues, and with the Republicans on others. Party identification matters at the 50-seat threshold, for determining committee appointments and the like, but at the 60 threshold, all that matters is votes. ---
**Author:** ![Simplicio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c37758/32.png) [@Simplicio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simplicio)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2009, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-arlen-specter-pa-to-become-a-democrat/494627/12 "2009-04-28T16:42:49Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > Before people get all chortlesome, remember that calling himself a Democrat, even caucusing with the Democrats, doesn’t mean he’s going to vote like a Democrat. He’s a natural Blue Dog if he’s anything (well, whatever the Blue Dogs in the Senate call themselves…the Bhaybees?). This is pure ass-coverage, a moderate Republican being unceremoniously kicked over the line by a Republican party that’s converging on Black Holedom piece by piece. No, but he’ll almost certainly be more likely to vote to break filibusters as a Dem then he would’ve if he stayed in the GOP, especially given that he’ll now have to survive a Dem primary in a year. And beyond breaking filibusters, the Dems don’t actually need his vote for much. The GOP has really screwed themselves pushing him out of the party. ---
**Author:** ![TooSchoolforCool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tooschoolforcool/32/19621_2.png) [@TooSchoolforCool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TooSchoolforCool)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2009, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-arlen-specter-pa-to-become-a-democrat/494627/13 "2009-04-28T16:43:20Z")
I wonder if Michele Steele is regretting his refusal to endorse Specter against Toomey. ---
**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2009, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-arlen-specter-pa-to-become-a-democrat/494627/14 "2009-04-28T16:44:32Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > Before people get all chortlesome, remember that calling himself a Democrat, even caucusing with the Democrats, doesn’t mean he’s going to vote like a Democrat. He’s a natural Blue Dog if he’s anything (well, whatever the Blue Dogs in the Senate call themselves…the Bhaybees?). This is pure ass-coverage, a moderate Republican being unceremoniously kicked over the line by a Republican party that’s converging on Black Holedom piece by piece. > > The writing was on the wall that the crazy Republican base was going to vote for Toomey in a primary. However, it’s no guarantee that Specter will survive a Dem primary, either. In fact, the single vote that will probably decide whether he wins nomination in the Dem party next year is going to be EFCA (the Employee Free Choice Act). If he votes with the majority of the Dems on it, he’ll get union support in the primary (which is HUGE in PA). If he goes with his up-to-now position on it and votes against, he will NOT receive union support. > > It’s up to him. If he made this switch and then doesn’t vote right on EFCA, he’s an idiot. However, now that he is a Democrat he will be pressured by the Democratic Primary and not by the Republican Primary, that should over time make him more amenable to Democratic positions. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2009, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-arlen-specter-pa-to-become-a-democrat/494627/15 "2009-04-28T16:48:22Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > This is huge. > > Disappointing, too. Disappointing to the country or to the party? If you make people in the Temple uncomfortable, and yell at them, don’t complain when you can’t get a minyan up. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2009, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-arlen-specter-pa-to-become-a-democrat/494627/16 "2009-04-28T16:48:59Z")
> [@Simplicio](#): > > No, but he’ll almost certainly be more likely to vote to break filibusters as a Dem then he would’ve if he stayed in the GOP, especially given that he’ll now have to survive a Dem primary in a year. And beyond breaking filibusters, the Dems don’t actually need his vote for much. > > The GOP has really screwed themselves pushing him out of the party. I agree with your last sentence, certainly. But in the very statement he made this afternoon announcing his party switch, he noted that his opinion on the Employee Free Choice Act has not changed. I am assuming that his perveived vote will not change, either. If EFCA doesn’t pass, or even if it DOES pass without his vote, he will not be getting union support in the 2010 Dem primary. Guarantee it. And without union support in PA (and in the face of that support going to one of his primary opponents), he’s going to have possibly just as hard a fight in the Dem primary as he would have had in the Republican against Toomey. If not more…the ads write themselves… “Not a real Democrat”…“changed parties out of desperation, not conviction”. This is only really marginally good for the Democrats. I really don’t think he’s going to vote any differently, for cloture or anything else, than he did when he was a Republican. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2009, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-arlen-specter-pa-to-become-a-democrat/494627/17 "2009-04-28T16:49:47Z")
> [@Simplicio](#): > > …The GOP has really screwed themselves pushing him out of the party. Nonsense! They are simply slimming down, cutting loose the dead wood and the marginally committed. Getting lean and mean for the coming years, and getting in place to ride the growing tide of anti-Obama sentiment, as evidenced by the totally _huge_ “tea-bag” demonstrations of late. OK, maybe not “totally huge”. Still, pretty huge. Kinda huge. But great news for the Palin-Bachmann campaign! ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2009, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-arlen-specter-pa-to-become-a-democrat/494627/18 "2009-04-28T16:53:01Z")
> [@Voyager](#): > > …you make people in the Temple uncomfortable, and yell at them, don’t complain when you can’t get a minyan up. I just want to take a moment to commend the good taste of all you Dopers who have ignored the opportunity herein presented for tasteless, juvenile humor… ---
**Author:** ![FriarTed](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/friarted/32/1052_2.png) [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2009, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-arlen-specter-pa-to-become-a-democrat/494627/19 "2009-04-28T16:55:28Z")
It’s about time. But thanks for giving us Justice Thomas! ---
**Author:** ![TooSchoolforCool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tooschoolforcool/32/19621_2.png) [@TooSchoolforCool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TooSchoolforCool)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2009, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-arlen-specter-pa-to-become-a-democrat/494627/20 "2009-04-28T16:57:17Z")
The way they are trying to pass EFCA is dumb anyhow. Card Check is in some ways the least important and most debatable of the changes involved: they should just dump that provision, call it something else, and pass the rest. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-arlen-specter-pa-to-become-a-democrat/494627.md?page=2)