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22 Dec 2009 20:48

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U.S.: Parker Griffith goes from Democrat to GOP, and the world yawns

  • I have become increasingly concerned that the bills and policies pushed by the current Democratic leadership are not good for north Alabama or our nation. More importantly, they do not represent my values and convictions.
  • Alabama Rep. Parker Griffith • On his decision to switch parties in the wake of the health care bill’s near-passage. Griffith, a first-term congressman who nobody’s ever heard of outside of Alabama, just didn’t see his moderate politics fitting in with Nancy Pelosi’s left-leaning push. To which we say fine, but did you have to have a press conference? You’re no Arlen Specter, man, and your flip-flop is not a game-changer. (Side note: Griffith is the first Republican in his district since RECONSTRUCTION.) source

11 Aug 2009 21:18

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U.S.: Arlen Specter nearly maimed by an old man with sharp teeth

  • “ONE DAY GOD’S GONNA STAND BEFORE YOU AND JUDGE YOU AND THE REST OF YOUR CRONIES UP ON THE HILL.” We think Arlen Specter should keep his seat in the next election simply because he managed to stand up to that guy. source

02 Aug 2009 21:46

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Politics: Max Headroom: Crazy people bombard town halls nationwide

  • The crazies We mentioned it earlier in the week, but you need to see it; Republicans freaking out over the health care policy. New York Congressman Tim Bishop probably got it worst; he needed an escort.

  • The convertDon’t expect Arlen Specter, that longtime Republican who defected to the Democrats, to get a pass. Here’s a room full of people shouting over this poor question-asking woman:

  • The soldierMissouri Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill heard loudly from this soldier, who uses a strict interpretation of the constitution to demand an apology from her on health care.

07 Jun 2009 11:05

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Politics, U.S.: Arlen Specter does a dog and pony show for Pennsylvania Dems

  • Maybe it’s no coincidence that I’ve been derided for years by the far-right as a Republican in name only. Well, I’m no longer a Republican. I’m again a Democrat, and I’m pleased and proud to be a Democrat.
  • Sen. Arlen Specter • Speaking in front of the Pennsylvania Democratic Party yesterday, where he was making his debut as a Democrat. He switched parties a month ago, a move so stunning that it caused a 2.8 earthquake to rumble through the District of Columbia (OK, not really). The feeling was mutual in Pa. One Democratic organizer, Jim Burn, noted it was “a little surreal to see someone here who many men and women in the room spent 30 years trying to beat.” • source

27 May 2009 23:15

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Politics, U.S.: New Democrat Arlen Specter’s now getting it from both sides

  • There’s too much doubt in my mind not to have the intent right now to get in this race, pending just a little time with my family to make sure we’re all together.
  • Pennsylvania Rep. Joe Sestak • Who seems ready to take on longtime Republican Senator Arlen Specter, who recently switched to the Democratic party, in the primaries. Specter, if you remember, switched parties in part because he was afraid he would lose the Republican primaries. Ah, giant nebulous areas. You gotta love ’em. • source

06 May 2009 10:51

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U.S.: Specter goes from senior Republican to junior Democrat

  • His defection came at the cost of committee rankings. Pennsylvania Senator Arlen Specter, whose switch to the Democratic party sent shockwaves through D.C. last week, did so at the cost of hard-fought-for seniority. The senate passed a resolution last night making him the junior Democrat on all the committees he serves. A rep for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid says he could gain his seniority back after the 2010 elections. But still … it’s like, welcome to the party, jerk. source

06 May 2009 10:42

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Politics, U.S.: The GOP’s big problem: The Dems’ YouTube ads are funnier

 

03 May 2009 09:25

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U.S.: Arlen Specter was not feeling Republican love in Pennsylvania

  • 29% of Pennsylvania Republicans had a favorable opinion of Specter after the stimulus vote
  • 60% of Democrats (and 41% of independents) looked at him favorably, so he switched source

28 Apr 2009 12:30

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Politics, U.S.: See ya, GOP: Why Arlen Specter is now a Democrat

  • It has become clear to me that the stimulus vote caused a schism which makes our differences irreconcilable.
  • Pennsylvania Senator Arlen Spector • On why he’s switching parties. He claims that he always voted based on the issue, not the party line, but the Republicans aren’t happy with him in his state. His switching brings the Democrats closer to a two-thirds majority in the Senate. Less filibusters = more pushing stuff through. Liberals must be getting excited. • source