Should or will Arlen Spector leave the Republican party?

[coloradodem2005]

SOme of these nutjobs are making his life pretty damn hard. I am starting to wonder if he won't pull a Jim Jeffords.

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

1. Well, he could...

But really, don't hold your breath.

[eleny]

4. Right, but what has he got to lose?

Was just reading another thread on this subject. They're going to nail his nuts to the floor in 10 minutes. So why not switch and buy some time? Also, he's got to know where some of the bodies are buried, so to speak. I bet he's a deep well of right wing gossip. I'm wishful thinking here.

Oh, and btw, it would drive Santorum teaspoons if Arlen switched.

[autorank]

6. Re: "deep well of...gossip" - Counsel for the Warren Commission

Now here is one guy who really knows who shot Kennedy.

[nadinbrzezinski]

2. Maybe he shuold

but I bet he won't

I suspect the moderates have received obvious and not so obvious threads

[coloradodem2005]

7. You mean threats.

Right?

[nadinbrzezinski]

15. yes, threats, against life and limb

you think they are above that?

[against all enemies]

3. Only if they take away his chairmanship. Otherwise he is more valuable

as a Republican.

[coreystone]

19. Ditto!!......................... n/t

[deadparrot]

5. Not yet.

If they keep making his life hell, though, it wouldn't surprise me. I don't like the guy, but they are making life pretty hard for him right now.

Although it wouldn't change the Republican majority in Congress, it would send a powerful massage to the rest of the party, moderates and extremists alike.

[lgardengate]

8. I think Specter will be taken to the woodshed by conservativs....

He will be warned and will go along to keep his power. There is no plus to leaving.Jefferds played kingmaker for us and was rewarded.Dems would still be in the minority and Specter would gain nothing.He knows he would losem more than repubs.

[lgardengate]

9. Sorry, Dupe post

[Robeson]

10. No, it just isn't going to happen..

..this guys imbedded with the people who rule this country. The people who rule this country don't even take their own nutjobs serious. They just use them as rebel rousers. As one poster pointed out, he knows where the bodies are buried. If he ever threatened to leave their party, lets just say, it probably wouldn't be good for his health..

[lovedems]

11. Who was the other republican who was going to consider leaving the party

if Bush was re-elected. Lincoln Chaffe? Not trying to get my hopes up but the numbers should would help in the Senate.

Does anyone know what Specter's constituency is? Is he in a moderate part of PA or does he have a large evangelical crowd? That might make a difference in his decison.

[Lostnote03]

12. Yup, is this a setup?....

......Ole Arlen IS NOT a JIM JEFFORDS....Mr.Spector has much to aton for wrt his lifetime of Wayward Right buddyism....

[Crunchy Frog]

13. He should,

but my prediction is that he won't.

[Pepperbelly]

14. yes! along with Chaffee, Collins, Snowe. nt

[JI7]

16. if he has a conscience

he will do all he can to protect women's right to choose and fight against anti gay bigotry.

[charlie]

18. Too late

He's been brought to heel:

“Contrary to press accounts, I did not warn the President about anything and was very respectful of his Constitutional authority on the appointment of federal judges.

“As the record shows, I have supported every one of President Bush’s nominees in the Judiciary Committee and on the Senate floor. I have never and would never apply any litmus test on the abortion issue and, as the record shows, I have voted to confirm Chief Justice Rehnquist, Justice O’Connor, and Justice Kennedy and led the fight to confirm Justice Thomas.

“I have already sponsored a protocol calling for a Judiciary Committee hearing within thirty days of a nomination, a vote out of Committee thirty days later, and floor action thirty days after that. I am committed to such prompt action by the Committee on all of President Bush’s nominees.

“In light of the repeated filibusters by the Democrats in the last Senate session, I am concerned about a potential repetition of such filibusters. I expect to work well with President Bush in the judicial confirmation process in the years ahead.”

[GalleryGod]

17. A Lovely Start to his Final Term

I would appreciate it, much!:toast:

[Fatima]

20. He's caved already on his "warning" to Bush about the Supreme Court

He's a good lapdog who knows who his master is. Don't count on a switch. Dogs go to the hand that feeds them, even if the same hand has feet that kick them.

[mdguss]

21. He won't, but he should:

If Bush goes too far, perhaps Snow, Collins, Gregg, Chaffee, Specter and perhaps McCain defect. But don't hold your breath.

Specter is probably better off being a Republican. I like Joe Hoefell and I would've voted for him if I still lived in Pennsylvania, but Specter winning is a good thing. He's definately a Republican, but he is fair. Radical judicial nominees probably won't get past his committee. On the other hand, Specter owes Santorum and Bush a lot for his primary win over Pat Toomey.

Specter is about the best we could hope for in the judiciary committee. However, some very conservative judges will be supported by--and be confirmed because of--Senator Specter.

[jbm]

22. I'll never forgive Specter..

for the way he treated Anita Hill. I suppose if by some amazing miracle he made the switch we'd have to let him in, but I wouldn't like it very much.