A Specter Shocker

Pennsylvania Senator Arlen Specter announced he's switching parties and will now caucus with the Democrats. In 2010, he will run for reelection as a Democrat. Read about it here from the Wall Street Journal, Washington Post or New York Times. Here is a timeline of his career.

What does this mean?

Analysis
Most obvious is the boost to Senate Democratic fortunes. The Caucus will now have 59 members (soon to be 60 whenever Al Franken gets confirmed to the Senate). This means the Democratic majority is nearing filibuster-proof majority status. Mitch McConnell and Senate Republicans will be virtually devoid of parliamentary tactics to deny the Democratic super-majority.

Less obvious, but more important is why Senator Specter chose to switch. Much less like Vermont Senator Jim Jefford's rejection of the GOP in 2001, Specter is uncomfortable with a party that is far to the right of where it once was.

In his statement, Specter notes, "the Republican Party has moved far to the right." In reality, he joins the 200,000 Pennsylvanians that also switched from registered Republican to registered Democrats during the 2008 election campaign.

This is yet more evidence of how the GOP is an endangered species in the northeast and New England. The Party is geographically isolated because it is ideologically narrow. Until the party broadens its' idea base, its' voter base will continue to shrink.

Senator Larry Craig Has Second Thoughts About His Resignation

Larry Craig to The World: "I Have Been Railroaded"!

WHAT?????

I have to admit that I am enjoying watching the Republican Party implode in slow motion.

I didn't want to do any postings on Larry Craig... and I had assumed that the issue was resolved. But Craig appears to be ignoring the advice of members of his own Party, who have told him to move on or else.

First the Bathroom perv says he made a guilty plea when he really didn't mean to... and now he is saying that his resignation was also a mistake. Craig is now seeking to get his criminal charge dropped in Minnesota, and he also wants the Senate Ethics Committee to end its investigation into the events surrounding his arrest. The Ethics Committee rejected his request and plans to continue with its investigation.

Senate Republicans are not too happy with Craig's change of heart... The longer Craig drags this thing out, the longer it will be a stain on the Republican Party with its Family Values platform.

Apparently Senator Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania has come to Craig's defense.

___________________

More Bad Luck for Craig

In his attempt to leave a message for his attorney, Billy Martin, Craig ended up leaving the message at the wrong number!!!

The message was left on the wrong voicemail box Saturday morning, and seems to paint a clearer picture of Craig's thoughts in the hours before his speech at the Boise Depot. The call was left as Craig was "headed to" his press conference at 10:30 a.m. MT Saturday morning.

Listen to the Call Here or Here.

Here is a transcript of the call:

"Yes, Billy, this is Larry Craig calling. You can reach me on my cell. Arlen Specter is now willing to come out in my defense, arguing that it appears by all that he knows that I have been railroaded and all that. Having all of that, we have reshaped my statement a little bit to say it is my intent to resign on September 30th."

"I think it is important for you to make as bold a statement as you are comfortable with this afternoon, and I would hope you could make it in front of the cameras."
"I think it would help drive the story that I'm willing to fight, that I've got quality people out there fighting in my defense, and that this thing could take a new turn or a new shape or has that potential. Give me a buzz or give Mike a buzz on that. We're headed to my press conference now. Thank you, bye"