(Sen) Specter urges GOP move to the middle

[RamboLiberal]

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06318/738144-84.stm

Pennsylvania's Sen. Arlen Specter yesterday said Republicans need to move toward the political center if they hope to avoid a repetition of last week's electoral drubbing, which delivered control of both houses of Congress to the Democrats for the first time since 1994.

Mr. Specter, a five-term Republican, in January will pass his gavel on the Senate Judiciary Committee to Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., but he argues that he will still play an important role as a moderate in a Senate with 49 Republicans, 49 Democrats and two independents.

"I think the moderates in the party have always held a balance of power. There are only a few of us," he said during his first public meeting with Pennsylvania's Sen.-elect Bob Casey. "But we manage to be significant, if not decisive, on some occasions."

Voters in Pennsylvania and the country at large were angry with congressional gridlock, Mr. Specter said. He cited exit polls showing that many Americans identify themselves as moderates, while growing voting blocs, such as young people and Hispanics, are turning toward the Democrats.

"You can run the math and say that we ought to be moving to the center as a party," he said, pointing toward the landslide victory of Republican Arnold Schwarzenegger in California, a state that often elects Democrats.

[immerlinks]

1. Fortunately, they are too stupid

to listen to good advice. They are finished.

[More Than A Feeling]

2. The base has tasted power, are they going to be satisfied

if they are made to sit in the corner? I mean, it would be best for all concerned if they were, but there aren't enough moderates left in the GOP to overcome the loons. All the GOP moderates who matter are Dems or defeated.

[Kelvin Mace]

3. After you, Arlen.

Does this mean you will stop kissing Bush's ass?

[davidinalameda]

4. doubtful

[Infinite Hope]

5. They should form an official independence party...

Specter, Lieberman, Collins, Snowe, and others of similar persuasion and perhaps Bernie Sanders would find a way to join them. We need a real Independence Party and we need it very soon.

[LetsGoMurphys]

6. and that is why you will be a Senator in PA for as long as you

wish..unlike your buddy Santorum.

[Wilms]

7. Re: "California, a state that often elects Democrats"

California has had a Democrat for governor in 4 of the last 24 years.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Governors_of_California

[lakercub]

8. I urge this too

and I urge them to really do it and be sincere (boy, do I doubt this). I used to know a lot of republicans who were simply fiscal conservatives. We rarely agreed, but conversation could be had. The rise of the religious right has destroyed this. Moving away from this group is the best thing for the republicans and the country.

[Eurobabe]

9. Specter has a better chance of switching parties than Snowe or Collins

As discussed on other thread.

[SoCalDem]

10. I would prefer they move to Iceland n/t

[immerlinks]

11. What did the people of Iceland do to you? n/t

[Joe Bacon]

12. Fat chance, Arlen.

The TV Preachers won't rest until you're belly-up!

[jamesinca]

13. I think Arlen wants something

Frist is out, Santorum is out, who will be the MINORITY party leader in the Senate come January? Trying to be the voice of reason suddenly, will make you a leading candidate for MINORITY party leader I think.

[AlCzervik]

14. he got the message but his extreme counterparts did not imo

some of them don't think they've been conservative enough--even with social issues.