It’s really good no matter what … but my initial gut reaction was:

DO. NOT. WANT.

Schneider on CNN is saying: ”the R’s are increasingly uncompetitive in the northeast.” Ya think?

asshole.

If I was a cynical person I might think Arlen was merely be self-serving…

“I am taking this action now because my good friend Joe Lieberman and myself are planning to win this years congressional Halloween party ‘best costume’ prize.”

Tweedle-Dumb and Tweedle-Dee.

I guess it beats a poke in the eye with a sharp stick.

A shaved head, a little baseless rhetoric about how he is going to lose his primary bid to a fascist, and a change in underwear. Really gives you hope when the haggis becomes the porker.

Like it or not we are stuck with him so hopefully he won’t be too much of jerk.

Wait, if he wants to be in the Democratic caucus, doesn’t he have to toe the party line a little bit?

Why bother, Sen. Spector? Do you think that the DNC or the DSCC is going to shell out the big bucks in 13 months to support you in your election? You’ve already said that you’re not really a Democrat. If the ‘other party’ was named “Craptastic Four” you would have switched to that too, just to get away from having a primary challenger. Politics is a dirty, quid pro quo game — if you do not pony up with the votes that the Democratic leadership wants, then why would you think that you’d get any support there?

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

His becoming a dem will hurt the progressive agenda just like his negotiating on the stimulus bill changed that legislation negatively.

I don’t expect much from the little self serving coward but still the sound of the GOP’s remaining faithful’s head’s exploding is nice.

Not beyond 2010 … hopefully .. we still need to give him a good primary challenge .. besides .. who wants to vote for a traitor? .. everyone knows he is switching parties because that’s the only way he even has a chance of returning to DC in 2011

Being formerly from PA, I’ll welcome Snarlin Arlen to the D side, if he gets us closer to health care. Then, the question is how much will it take to swing him to our side on EFCA.

Toe the party line, you mean like the Blue Dogs? Arlen is actually more of a moderate than some of them.

Arlen Spector is now in the dem wing of the corporatist party.

This might be a good opportunity for a real progressive Dem to get their foot in the door.

Oh .. and as a PA resident .. Specter will never get my vote .. not in the primary .. not in the general(if he makes it that far)

You and what Harry are gonna make him?

I wonder what the filing fee is in here(meaning PA) .. maybe I’ll have to find out.

Specter is hanging tough on his opposition of EFCA, which seems incredibly bizarre. He’s going to have the unions opposing him in the Democratic primary, and labor’s a big player for turnout in that state. As usual, Specter is doing things half-assed.

Sen Reid — bet that clinches the old colon, doesn’t it. No more excuses. Lead or get the hell outta the way.

Are the rethugs feeling the rapture yet?

I’m quite sure a backroom deal was made-$ for his upcoming campaign in exchange for votes. But he’s going to have to come back around for EFCA if he wants labor support.
He didn’t just wake up today and decide to switch sides. I bet a whole lot of negotiating went on from the White house on down. Another nail in the GOP coffin.

LOVE. IT.

Republican Party Purification Project is almost complete.

If I’m not mistaken, $100 plus you have to collect signatures.

Specter’s complete statement is at Politico…Ben Smith.

Sen ? said that he and Spector were discussing it confidentially last week.

Ok, I’ll be the first to say it: Specter for Senate Majority Leader!

/s

not really

Doubt if anyone would notice the change.

My change in party affiliation does not mean that I will be a party-line voter any more for the Democrats that I have been for the Republicans. Unlike Senator Jeffords’ switch which changed party control, I will not be an automatic 60th vote for cloture. For example, my position on Employees Free Choice (Card Check) will not change.

But that’s just it. Snarlin Arlen didn’t get his name by standing up to Republicans and voting against his party. He got it because he snarled for a bit and then sheepishly caved and voted with the Republicans no matter what. In this sense, I suppose, he will be the very model of the good Democrat because isn’t this what they all do?

The way I see it there are already too many Republicans in all but name in the Democratic caucus but I am sure Harry Reid will be tickled pink.

Fox may have one of its highest ratings tonight,people will be tuning in to see how they spin this one.

Just switching back and forth,they are already caught with their”PANTS”down
LOL!!

Bottom line, it changes nothing.

Why do you people keep asking questions? You need to wait for the Village Elders such as David Broder. He will tell you what to think. And Cokie also will tell you. But I think they will say this is a good thing. A bipartisan thing.

Congratulations, Republican Party and Club for Growth. You will have produced the magic 60 after Franken is seated by your own inflexibility.

It is tempting to think that torture was part of the reason for the party switch.

If I heard correctly on msnbc, dems have promised him no challenger next go’round. Pox on it! Another forkin’ blue dog dem and an especially two-faced one at that. The only good thing about it is it’s kinda like a middle finger to the reich wing.

Inside Baseballer Kagro X weighs in.

Fox may have one of its highest ratings tonight,people will be tuning in to see how they spin this one.

They’ll blame it on illegal immigration.

Tweeting KKKarl Rove.

Rethug leadership is meeting on it now and a statement will be issued upon the meetings adjournment. MSNBC

Why would anyone outside of the South want to be a Republic anymore?

Not any more than Joe Lieberman or Ben Nelson.

Dear Arlen,

Welcome to the party! Regrettably, I’ve just decided to fund your best challenger in the 2010 Democratic primary, but if there’s anything aside from that that I can do to make you feel welcome, please let me know!

–Frank

I was about to ask if there was anyone obvious to run against him anyway.

bingo. you can’t have your cave and eat it too.

Specter the Spelunker perfected the art of “talk the talk, but cave in the end” under W. Surely we can count on a similar pattern of behavior favoring Obama, n’est-ce pas?

Can you say “Blue Dogs”? (sigh)

Why do these people believe they have to hold there seats in government forever? Why doesn’t he just retire? He’s not doing any of us any favors by staying. Who are his big money backers with their hand up his coat? These people are just tools.

they are making accomodations for him – my initial suspicion is he pretty much has to go along with Healthcare (not our version either) and Energy.

sure would love to have someone explain to me why DNC fu**s Labor like this after all they did for 11/4

hahahaha

Isn’t spelunking a prerequisite for a Dem leadership position?

Oh. I should have read further before my 47. (((blush)))

Reid’s statement:

I have known Senator Specter for more than a quarter-century. He has always been a man of honor and integrity, and a fine public servant.

Senator Specter and I have had a long dialogue about his place in an evolving Republican Party. We have not always agreed on every issue, but Senator Specter has shown a willingness to work in a bipartisan manner, put people over party, and do what is right for Pennsylvanians and all Americans.

I welcome Senator Specter and his moderate voice to our diverse caucus, and to continuing our open and honest debate about the best way to make life better for the American people.

This is good. Let’s all get behind a good pro-labor progressive in the Pa. primary and squash this nasty little bug once and for all.

Olympia Snowe . . . c’mon down!!!

The corporate takeover of the Democratic Party not only continues but solidifies. Democrats winning doesn’t really do much for our health and security. While all this insider crap goes on, little reported corporate welfare bills get passed. Bob Casey just sponsored a bill with Dick Lugar, the Lugar/Casey Bill (SB 384), called cynically “The Global Food Security Act” that gives 7.7 Billion to bio tech for GM seeds. It will ruin more small farmers in Africa and allow the corporate takeover of their lands.

I pray that a strong lefty challenges Specter. If not we will continue to experience what Sheldon Wolin calls “Managed Democracy and Inverted Totalitarianism” (His book “Democracy Inc.) Wolin says that the two parties have taken on the Archer Daniels Midland phrase; The competitor is our friend. The consumer is our enemy. So, the it becomes that for both parties, the citizen and working American is the enemy.

No problem, I do it all the time.

Ow. We are relying on the scattered moments of integrity from Graham and Hatch.

This really calls into questions Limpy Limbaugh’s ablilities as the Republic leader. Is he going to go on an extra vicious attack on Specter now?

excellent question. been wondering that myself. because they can, i guess.

Process question, how long does it take to metamorphize from R to D?

my very first response to the news

Have to get the business cards back from the printer.

Reid couldn’t even bring himself to say “declining Republican Party” or “shrinking Republican Party” or “ideologically demanding Republican Party.”

Harry, the Republican Party isn’t “evolving.” If anything, it’s “intelligent designing.”

Jane’s upstairs with one of Arlen’s new friends

you can’t have your cave and eat it too.

LOL but he tries he really does. My favorite Arlen “Standing tall” story is when he confronted Cheney over illegal NSA domestic wiretapping. He was furious but suggested one of his typical compromises which would have given Cheney more than he asked for. This was scotched by the Democrats, however, who stood tall in their own right and only gave Cheney what he wanted.

*g*

Nice. Lest we forget, Specter is the author of the JFK single magic bullet theory. He’s been an unprincipled opportunist his whole rotten life. Specter, McCain and Lieberman are three peas in a pod. At least the creepy Orrin Hatch, you know is a solid creep.

I don’t expect much from the little self serving coward but still the sound of the GOP’s remaining faithful’s head’s exploding is nice.

I find myself in absolute agreement with the above remark.

Dang those pesky hallucinations! Been workin’ too hard.

I’d swear I just saw Spectorate skipping off into the sunset with Shortride and pandemickSue. Tralala, we’re off to see da gizzard….

Seriouslike, now. Lessee. Whut’re the options here?

bipartisanMWAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA, *hack, cough*

orrrrrrrrrin

partisan#1 PLUS partisan#2, with a generous dollop of repulsivemushymiddle muddle.

Ya want ketchup with that? *urp! pardon*

Question: Does Specter’s decision move the GOP to press their pedal to the medal longer, harder, meaner, slower re Franken?

That would be the pristine single slug found in the vehicle that looked like it had fallen out of a reloader’s box of slugs?

metal? mettle? muddle! Yeah, that’s the ticket! *g*

Perhaps as a Democrat, Specter can call for a reopening of the investigation of the death of Jack Kennedy.

/snark off

Crap! I’m on a grammarian tear today. Serves me right for showing off!! And not proofing my own stuff.

You simply must get control of yourself or a complete breakdown is just around the corner. I am laughing so hard I’m crying. Thanks

Why do you people keep asking questions? You need to wait for the Village Elders such as David Broder. He will tell you what to think. And Cokie also will tell you. But I think they will say this is a good thing. A bipartisan thing.

I thank you for the enlightenment.

For a moment, I thought this might be seen as a good thing for Democrats.

But that was from thinking on my own.

Now that I’ve plugged back into the MSM groupthink grid, I can clearly see how this is yet another good thing for Republicans.

And another example of Obama’s polarization of Washington(’s cocktail party circuit.)

Cute. The specter knows he can’t win as a Gooper and he wants to forestall the seat going to another real Democrat. Pity [edited by MOD] has gone out of style. This is one snake oil salesman who deserves it.

[MODnote: No matter how satisfying, let us keep our fantasy vengeance scenarios in our imaginations and out of print, please.]

Can they keep that pledge? Isn’t there anyone willing to run? I know how naive that sounds. It’s all about the almighty $ and there is precious little time to raise it without the support of the DNC. But isn’t there some trial lawyer somewhere in PA who made a gazillion already and is looking for a change of scenery? A Pennsylvania John Edwards, but without the Bill Clinton disease.

heh. why d’ya think i throw so much schtick into my writing. it makes grammar a moot point, or pint.

Spector and slugs. Are you seeing the garden variety as I am? Then I keep remembering that stupid ad with McEnroe

You cannot be serious!!!

breakdown? who? where?

your place or mine?! *pant pant*

The only reason Specter left is that he knew he would have lost the primary. His number one goal is to get re-elected. Period!. I am so happy he is gone. I do not live in Pennsylvania but you can be assured that I will be donating as much as I can to Pat Toomey’s campaign.

Shee-it. I go out to the gym to work out and come home to see this story? I guess someone else is working it out too.
I been Arlen Spectahd. Resurectad.
Not transparent. No. Not at all.
Gawd. What would we do if someone like Kit Bond tried to defect?

this is nutso.

specter’s doing this solely out of self-preservation. He knows he can’t win, it’s not like he suddenly woke up like jeffords did. and he makes that quite clear in his statement: he says:

It has become clear to me that the stimulus vote caused a schism which makes our differences irreconcilable. On this state of the record, I am unwilling to have my twenty-nine year Senate record judged by the Pennsylvania Republican primary electorate.

…which means, “I have let down and failed my supporters one too many times and i can’t win.”

fuck him. I hope sestak jumps in.

The DSCC is almost guaranteed to support Specter. First, Hello?, DSCC weasels! Second, Teh Prez has already said he will support HIM! There is no hint of a quid pro quo here, Specter is not bound to do ANYTHING for his new party.

Breakdown, go ahead and do it!

Ah Ha! That’s the new line used around this house!
We always circulate a few pop culture lines for whatever comes up.

Like, dude. It’s like, Who’s better? Dylan or Petty?

Call the bug man back?

You are just So Cute.
rrrrRaaaaaiddddd!

At what?

I thought Cate Blanchett as Dylan was superb.

http://blogs.phillynews.com/in…..atebob.jpg

I thought so too. Don’t you just love how Art transends?
(Speaking of grammar, how come I got a red line under transends?)

sc not s

The last thing I remember Art in was Carnal Knowledge.

Don’t look at me. I was never That close. *g*

ROFLMAO! Best comment on Specter’s switch ever:

Adie sez:
Dang those pesky hallucinations! Been workin’ too hard.

I’d swear I just saw Spectorate skipping off into the sunset with Shortride and pandemickSue. Tralala, we’re off to see da gizzard….

Seriouslike, now. Lessee. Whut’re the options here?

bipartisanMWAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA, *hack, cough*

orrrrrrrrrin

partisan#1 PLUS partisan#2, with a generous dollop of repulsivemushymiddle muddle.

Ya want ketchup with that? *urp! pardon*

Actually, it’s both. Transcends.

Now that I’ve plugged back into the MSM groupthink grid, I can clearly see how this is yet another good thing for Republicans.

U mean somethin’ like us recycling our cinderblocks so some dude can build hisself a tornado shelter? (his idea, not mine, seriously, above or below groundlevel- i haven’t a clue. i just know the blocks are gone yayyyyyy).

Now whut wuz that thing about the blockhead in question here?

Is he useful? Depends on yer point of view.

Do you need him? Depends on what yer gonna do with him.

Will you like yourself in the morning? Depends on yer point of view.

Sunny side up or over easy? Yer gonna need ketchup with that. Seriously.

see above

Thanks. This cries out for a soundtrack.

Well, we have Joe Lieberman so what the heck – welcome Arlen! Please wipe your feet before coming in and try to behave yourself while you’re here.

There’s one recording of this song where the crowd is so good and so loud he says “You guys are gonna put me out of a job.”

transcends?

Catch-22 (1970)
Carnal Knowledge (1971)
Bad Timing (1980)
Good to Go (also known as Short Fuse) (1986)
Boxing Helena (1993)
The Rebound (2008)

Switched over to faux for a few to check out the reactions……very limited time spent there (gotta be careful of infection, don’ya know) but interesting how they don’t seem to be devoting the same amount of time to the spector news as the other channels.

Can. not. imagine. why. Heh……..

Better pick up some of that multi-cat-household style of litter first.

Did you edit? Tell the troof? I could have sworn….

Yer gonna need ketchup with that.

Hold the ketchup; get out the clothespin.

The documentary “Runnin Down a Dream” is really good except for what’s her face up there in the live concert.

What’s the status of Specter’s cancer?

hair trigger mouse resulted in misfire

Faux fans are awfully particular about who enters the country, aren’t they? Mebbe they don’t trust Trojans.

*bracing self for another salvo from Raven-dearest*

But see, I didn’t remember him in them!

Trojans, ha

Go tell the Spartans, passerby, that here, obedient to their laws, we lie.”

Please refer to #106 for a modest proposal.

I do declare, there were times that I was so lonesome, I took some comfort there.

Stevie Nicks?

He only does Art, himself. Unmemorable. Now, real actors can make the audience remember the character. What a minute, did I just contradict myself?

Get, or rent, the dvd set I mentioned. two dvd film of their career, 30th Anniversary concert in Gainesville (complete with what’s her name and Mike Campbell with that damn gator guitar) and a cd of rare cuts)

given yer earlier titillating comment at #111, I figured we navigated that precipace with considerable agility. There’s still a fork in the road as yet untrodden, lying dawgs to the contrary.

I thought the IT people always say User Error.
You know I’m kidding with you, right?
I just love it when you say It Don’t Mean Nothin’.

Of which Trojans do you speak? *GG*

thanks!

Only the dragon bic’s the hair trigger mouse

You can ff through stevie what’s her name of the “new” Fleetwood Mac, you know, after Peter Green when they were an actual blues band?

The BBC sessions with Green are killer.

baddaboom! i been keepin’ a lottery goin’ here guessing which of u pups would notice that. Tis that other fork in the road mentioned at #120.

You win. *GGG*

World Keeps Turnin’

Republican Putrification, your mean? Yes!

you got FB mail

Killer, there is an app for the mac called cosmopods that slaps the tubes right into iTunes!

Yeah, especially during the Clarence Thomas fiasco, right? How honorable was he then, Mr. Reid? Some of us have very long memories.

I can’t help about the shape I’m in
I can’t sing, I ain’t pretty, and my legs are thin
But, don’t ask me what I think of you
I might not give the answer that you want me to

Oh, well

Now, when I talk to God I know he’d understand
He said, stick by me and I’ll be your guiding hand
But, don’t ask me what I think of you
I might not give the answer that you want me to

Oh, well

Lets run CHAKA FATTAH against him.

Strongest Dem in Pa., wins his races by over 88% of the vote.

Let’s begin now – support and elect the 2nd African American Democrat to the Senate!

Being formerly from PA, I’ll welcome Snarlin Arlen to the D side, if he gets us closer to health care. Then, the question is how much will it take to swing him to our side on EFCA.

Once Al Franken is sworn in, then (assuming that the union presence in Nebraska can be brought to bear against B. Nelson) there will be 60 votes to end cloture, so EFCA can still pass is the Prez makes a compelling case for it. OTOH, the Prez won PA and not NE, so maybe Specter will have to be the pressure point for EFCA.

I wonder why Specter opposes EFCA so vehementlly…PA seems like a union working-class state.

Mr. spector,
I watched this country as JFK lifted the humanity of us all,
not perfect but self correcting as they went along.

I watched as his brains were blown out by some right wing nut case.

I’ve watched you trash the constitution , corrupt our courts,throw your single bullet in the air.

You , sir , can never be or will ever be in your remaining life a Jack Kennedy American Democrat ,so just crawl back into your humanityless cave , Sir.

No point having 60 if they don’t follow a party whip. If they had balls, they’d have invited him to fuck himself. Caucus with us but you’re not joining our party, you leech.

I read in the Guardian today someone saying it would allow a real progressive agenda to be pursued. As if. The only reason Specter can join the party is that it’s shifted far enough to the right now.