This must have been in the works for some time:
And like Ed, Arlen started out in life as a Democratic Philly D.A. I bet you they're best buds on the campaign trail.
Now my question is, why did Specter vote against card check if he was thinking of doing this?
And in terms of timing, what better way for him to get back at being yanked around by the nose by GOP leadership over the years? he surely resented that.
Update: Ambinder, on one of the causes of the switch:
As he says, "Thanks, Hillary!" No, seriously. Thank you, Sen. Clinton.
Also, the near-term benefits to Obama:
Emphasis added.
I can see why Duncan is upset - Spectering is a verb, after all - but one thing a deal like this gives you that a real contested primary does not: Certainty that you have an agreement on legislation that really matters to you, like health care. That's what happens when you're trying to flip a single vote in order to get to the number you need to make: Kind of sleazy, underhanded deals. This is also known as politics.
Now, let's see if the health care bill is any fucking good.
Now my question is, why did Specter vote against card check if he was thinking of doing this?
And in terms of timing, what better way for him to get back at being yanked around by the nose by GOP leadership over the years? he surely resented that.
Update: Ambinder, on one of the causes of the switch:
The contested primary between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama captured
the attention of Pennsylvania moderates and resulted in a significant
registration shift among moderates in Republican areas to Democratic.
As he says, "Thanks, Hillary!" No, seriously. Thank you, Sen. Clinton.
Also, the near-term benefits to Obama:
Getting to 60 on health care this year is inevitable now. Giving labor
more room to maneuver during the legislative negotiations is also more
likely. Getting some judges through, although Specter will want to
retain his independence.
Emphasis added.
I can see why Duncan is upset - Spectering is a verb, after all - but one thing a deal like this gives you that a real contested primary does not: Certainty that you have an agreement on legislation that really matters to you, like health care. That's what happens when you're trying to flip a single vote in order to get to the number you need to make: Kind of sleazy, underhanded deals. This is also known as politics.
Now, let's see if the health care bill is any fucking good.
i don't think it was in the works, or at least it wasn't a solid plan, until that poll came out showing toomey almost 20 points ahead among GOP voters.
i suspect that specter didn't want to switch, while his buddy rendel was still holding out hopes that he would. specter came out against the EFCA to placate the right wing of his party, thinking that he would still run as a GOPer. the toomey poll showed that his EFCA switch didn't make a difference so specter realized his only chance was to give into ed's pleas.
Posted by: upyernoz | April 28, 2009 at 01:58 PM
So what's Rendell's motivation? Just to avoid the risk of a Toomey victory?
Posted by: Mithras | April 28, 2009 at 02:15 PM