So, the WaPo is reporting that Pennsylvania Senator Arlen Spector is switching party affiliation prior to his reelection bid in 2010. I am sure more details will follow, but for now I think there are two key considerations to ponder here.
first, how can Republicans continue to claim that they are an antidote to Democratic policies if they keep loosing (either through lost elections or party defections) their more moderate (and thus sensible) politicians?
Second, if the Democrats get a 60 seat majority, will that really change things? Harry Reid will still be the Senate majority leader, and I am not sure that his effectiveness will increase if he knows he can get cloture.
So, while I go to lunch - its your turn. What do you think this will do for national politics? Pennsylvania politics?
UPDATE: One thing this brings to mind is that without a credible third party on the national scene, politicians often have to do things like this as their political beliefs change over the years, or their supporting demographic changes at home. Another thing it brings to mind is how much we need complete public financing of elections, so who you figuratively owe what to for financial support isn't an issue.
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3 comments:
It's probably going to do very little since someone else will most likely have his seat next year. This was a desperation move and a lot of voters will react negatively to him jumping ship, even those inclined to vot for a Democrat.
Mike,
As I have time to reflect on this I think you are largely correct about Mr. Spector's reasons for moving - he's done the numbers and he's likely too moderate for a Republican only primary. That said, if indeed Pennsylvania is going more Democratic thses days, he may fair better in the general election.
Spector is done. He's like a cheating husband. He did it once, he'll do it again (when it suits him). The citizens of Pennsylvania will see it for what it was, and what he said it was ... a calculated move based on polling for his next election. He's a fraud.
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