NFW-A GOOD SPECTER FOR US ALL
NO FRICKIN WAY
WE ARE GOIN TO HAVE 60 DEMS IN THE SENATE
Jesse just hit this but I cannot leave this alone. This is BIG BIG NEWS.
Some dolt from the repubs said something like:
This switch in party affiliation is political expediency, plain and simple.
HA!!!! Or as Peter Boyle puts it:
HOLY CRAP!!!!
People this is the biggest political news since November and we are almost back to 1965 without one southern racist.
Leahy and Biden never gave up on Specter.
I did. I was so gd mad at him for the Gonzo fiasco, I used to scream at him when he appeared on the television. I mean he would rant and rave about Gonzo's lying cheating ways and the disrespect the AG was demonstrating to Congress, to the American people and to the US Constitution.
It was like:
FULL OF SOUND AND FURY SIGNIFYING NOTHING.
The Senator would call for no action against the blatant felonies committed by w's administration.
But how things change. I mean he backed the stimulous package. He was forming a triumvirate with the ladies from Maine. REAL POWER being exercised.
But the repubs kept pissing on him.
There is a human element here. Even repubs act like human beings--once in awhile anyway--hats off to Jason. But Senator Specter fought cancer and he fought it valiantly and with a bit of humility. He demonstrated something to me even as I was screaming at him.
Folks (as rush likes to say) I know that there are naysayers out there like the commenter to Jesse's fine post. And you naysayers have good solid points.
But my God (blesses himself), We get my buddy Al in that August Body and guess what?
JUDGES WILL BE CONFIRMED THAT PLAYED NO PART IN WRITING TORTURE MEMOS.
JUDGES WILL BE CONFIRMED THAT DO NOT LOOK UPON THE POWERLESS AS NEEDLESS DIVERSIONS FROM CONFIRMING CORPORATE POWER IN THIS COUNTRY.
MS JOHNSEN AND OTHERS LIKE HER WILL BE SHOE-INS FOR CONFIRMATION AS IMPORTANT FUNCTIONARIES IN OUR NEW ADMINISTRATION.
IMPORTANT TREATIES, YET TO BE NEGOTIATED WILL NOT BE TABLED MAKING US LOOK LIKE WE REALLY WISH TO BE PART OF THE WORLD INSTEAD OF AN EVIL FORCE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE THE WORLD OBEY US AT THE DROP OF A HAT.
rush, and sean and savage and beck will be put on the back burners of media concern.
I am listening to Andrea right now on MSNBC speaking with some of my favorite pols and pundits cheering THE NEW WAVE.
The repubs are not going to change their tunes, their propaganda.
I welcome Senator Spector. I predict that a lot of chess games--nasty moves with protocols are not going to slow up the new train that is set to deliver real change in this country.
Am I getting carried away with all of this?
YOU BET I AM. And I like getting carried away.
I was carried away when Grandma Pelosi took the gavel two years ago.
I was carried away when a great man was elected President of the United States.
And I am carried away right now with some hope. And that same Commander in Chief just got off the phone with our new Democratic Senator.
Sure, Senator Spector will demonstrate some perspectives that I do not like. But so will ten other senators from time to time.
I WELCOME ARLEN SPECTER.
As long as you're not carried away from TPM! ;)
April 28, 2009 1:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
So much is in flux right now that it's hard to keep everything straight, but here's an important update. Sen. Richard Lugar (R-IN) will support the nomination of Dawn Johnsen to head the Justice Department's Office of Legal Counsel. Johnsen is a professor at Indiana University--one of Lugar's constituents--and, as such, it makes sense that Lugar would be a swing vote.
Assuming nobody in the Democratic caucus (save, perhaps, it's newest member) chooses to obstruct, that leaves Democrats one vote shy of the 60-votes needed to break a potential Republican filibuster. And that doesn't account for the fact that a number of Republicans (moderates, and others who are on the record opposing the filibuster of presidential nominees) have yet to break silence.
Earlier today once and current Democrat Arlen Specter said he opposes Johnsen's nomination, but his staff was unable to confirm just yet whether that means he'd support a filibuster or not.
TheraP, you rarely miss much but this is from TPMDC yesterday.
April 29, 2009 10:03 AM | Reply | Permalink
Was it that he voted along with his party because of the principle that he was in that party when in his heart, that organ tried by fire during his fight with cancer, was really telling him they were wrong?
Time will tell, but at this time, I say welcome. I admire the courage it took to leave a party with whom he has been associated for so long. I think he was trying to bring other opinions to the Republican forum, but in these times, that party tolerates only one point of view.
April 28, 2009 1:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
I am having trouble logging in Gregor. It looks good now.
For the second time, Gregor, you hit the nail on the head.
jughead scarborough was just on Andrea Mitchel comparing this change to the events of 2002 when the Dems had a short majority.
Bullshit!!! This aint some one vote majority under an idiot president.
These right wingers are losing. HA!!!
April 28, 2009 2:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's worth remembering that Specter started out his political life...as a Democrat.
(Yeah, that was 40 years ago, but the man *is* almost 80. LOL)
I've never viewed him with any particular derision. He's a bona fide centrist, and a political opportunist, to be sure. (Then again, they all are...just a fact of the political fishbowl.)
This one's gotta sting for McConnell and Cornyn. Couldn't happen to a nicer bunch of guys. *snicker*
April 28, 2009 4:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
Boyd, I do not know if 'sting' is the word. THEY ARE JUMPING UP AND DOWN AND SWEARING. HAHAHAHAHHA
April 28, 2009 8:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
test
April 28, 2009 11:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
"I WELCOME ARLEN SPECTER."
I second that emotion...
April 28, 2009 2:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
SECOND THE EMOTION. HA
April 28, 2009 2:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
Great Post, dd.
You are a glass half full kinda guy and I always enjoy your perspective.
April 28, 2009 2:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
Turnip, the glass had less than an ounce in it from 2001 to 2006. Then we got a couple more ounces.
NOW WE HAVE A FULL DRINK OF WATER. ha
April 28, 2009 2:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
The glass won't be completely full until Norm Coleman quits stalling and my friend Al is seated.
April 28, 2009 3:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
Professor, you are correct on that one. Not to belabor the point, but two Minnesota Supreme Court Justices sat on the original voting panel.
The rest of that court is not going to dis the duo as the new parlance might say.
The real issue will come to the fore when the papers are filed in Federal Court. What then? Will the Senate just seat Al or not. Will that asshat governor of ours stick with the repubs?
Or as Orlando points out; maybe Lady Snow will show some gumption.
April 28, 2009 3:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
2D
Freight train "hangover" today but this news had me ready to post, should have known you would catch it.
Anyways I'm thinking we should all Send Arlen a welcome. Here is his contact webpage.
http://specter.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.ContactForm
April 28, 2009 2:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
Just sent him my support Face. Good link.
But go ahead and blog if you are up for it.
This is big news and Astral and Jesse have already chimed in!!!
God I hope you are recovering and your days are better.
April 28, 2009 2:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
Great idea. I welcomed him back.
April 29, 2009 3:34 AM | Reply | Permalink
Are you listening to McConnell? A "defection", a "threat to the country". Honestly, the Republican heads are exploding and I'm loving every moment of it.
Good afternoon, Dick.
April 28, 2009 2:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
BFd,
Yep is an absolute "Moeron".
Mitch "DUMBSHIT" McConnell.
April 28, 2009 2:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
Someone needs to remind McConnell that "country" isn't spelled "GOP".
April 28, 2009 2:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
Astral, I finished this and immediately found your blog and rec'd and commented. I have problems logging in with this new software.
Your blog is great!!!! A full statement from Arlen. Really important.
Thank you.
April 28, 2009 2:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
And thank you!
April 28, 2009 3:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
Good afternoon Missy. It is beautiful in the northern parts today.
I just love gooooooooood news!!!!
April 28, 2009 3:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
See, you're back and things are turning around already!
April 28, 2009 4:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ha! I knew it. I knew either him or Snowe was gonna flip. I thought it was gonna be Snowe, but maybe she'll be next. I'm not quite as excited as I was on November 5th, but I have a nice warm glow in my heart. That's what the Republicans get for being such bullies. Senator Specter, welcome to the party.
April 28, 2009 2:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
Orlando. I am elated that you are happy about this. You moderate your emotions at times. Which I rarely do. hahahahaha
April 28, 2009 3:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
She looked pretty torn-up by this and may not be too far behind from what she said today:
Hardly a resounding endorsement of the party.
(Hey DD! Good to see ya!).
April 28, 2009 4:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
Great to see you again KGB. Geeeeez this was GOOD news today. It is a lot of fun to be at TPM though. HA
April 28, 2009 8:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
I welcome Arlen too DD. I'm not sure it makes much difference in a vote counting exercise. I like it mostly as a symbol of just how ideological and yes, stupid , the Rs have become.
April 28, 2009 2:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
I"m in the "embarassing slap to the face of the GOP" column on this one as well. Specter does help us claim a little more of the middle ground, though.
April 28, 2009 2:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
That's why I like it. I don't see it moving Obama's agenda along very fast or very far. Specter has already said he is will not vote for Dawn - the DoJ appointee - can't think of her last name.
April 28, 2009 7:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
Great Link Miguel. The perfect picture of stupidity.
I thought we had to cross our fingers and wait another two years. Why not, I thought. I have been waiting for fifty.
I really think the train has left the station.
April 28, 2009 3:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
He better step right up for Dawn Johnsen! ASAP!
April 28, 2009 2:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
Seconded!
April 28, 2009 2:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
Third that TheraP. You are the one who introduced me to this fine attorney.
I am still working on this software. I have some logging on issues here. Now I have to check and see if you ever received some of my comments.
You have a nice spring day Lady Thera.
April 28, 2009 2:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
Enjoying it, dd! Robin sitting still. Likely enjoying it too. :)
April 28, 2009 3:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
He specifically stated he would continue to oppose her.
April 28, 2009 4:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
That's not gonna happen, he says.
April 28, 2009 7:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
Jesus Christ, I haven't peed my pants since I was six. Can't believe it.
April 28, 2009 2:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
Citizen, that was my exact reaction. Geeeeez, I get back from my morning walk and cable was exploding.
April 28, 2009 2:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
There could be more. The Republican party is fast becoming a huge embarrassment. Some one had better wake up or the two party system will cease to exist. We need the two party system, it will be facinating to watch this all play out.
However to be on the winning side after eight long years feels glorious at the moment. Welcome Sir!
April 28, 2009 3:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
Great LQ. I really am so elated and so happy to see TPM on the bandwagon. ha
April 28, 2009 3:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
Parties have come and gone before in our history, so if the Republican party goes (not so) quietly into the good night, another party will take it's place. How sweet would it be if the two prevailing parties were the Democrats and the Greens? A long way off, perhaps. But a girl can dream.
April 28, 2009 4:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
Now that's what I'd call a good dream!
April 28, 2009 5:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
I ditto Miguel on that. I tried to say a similar thing in a comment today, but you, as always, put it out there much better than I.
April 28, 2009 5:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
Looks like we're on our way to the Conservative Democrat and Progressive Democrat parties.
April 28, 2009 6:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
We need to get to work right away on insulting nicknames for the other side. The democrat party is simply not going to cut it anymore.
Ideas?
Contrarians?
Prog-legs?
I am so not good at this.
April 28, 2009 6:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
You should blog this Orlando. Here are a few to add to the others':
ASSHATS
LITERAL GENESISTS
GUNS AND FLUTTER
THE RICHEST PRICKS
CONFLAGERATES
ASSHATS
April 28, 2009 8:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yours are too funny. My favorite is asshats, obviously. But I mean names for when the dem party splits. I think the current names for the republicans suffice (republitards, etc.).
April 28, 2009 8:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm barely getting used to being a Democrat! Can we wait to split apart for at least a little while?
April 28, 2009 9:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
Democrats and Greens, yes! But where does that leave the Newt?
Oh DD it's so good to have you back and the Senate dems getting stronger, both at once! Now Face needs to rest and mend.
April 28, 2009 5:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yes LL, we need Face to heal up fast. He has had a hard time of it. And he helped me out greatly.
And thank you for your kind words!!!
April 28, 2009 5:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
And here I was at work all day, at a company owned by a conservative Republican. It was all I could do to not run around screaming.
April 28, 2009 6:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
Poor OG. Let 'er rip tonight!
April 28, 2009 7:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
hehehe...
The best thing about this, bar nothing, is the schadenfreude.
April 28, 2009 7:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
Verda, I never saw this coming. Now I hear that Biden had the patience of Job riding on the train with Arlen for years. And Leahy always gave him the benefit of the doubt.
I think the repubs, most of them, were stunned. I really do.
April 28, 2009 8:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
Verda, that was my exact thought. And the goddess knows how much I am enjoying it. After the last 8 years, we DESERVE this.
April 29, 2009 1:17 AM | Reply | Permalink
HAHAHAHAH GROUCH. I still cannot get over vampire puppets, but here you really work for blood suckers? Is it not great to be on the winning side? JUST FOR ONCE. HA
April 28, 2009 8:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
And now Sebelius has (finally) been confirmed. It's a good day in Obamaland!
April 28, 2009 6:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
Love your ebullience, dd! It fires me up and astral, too, with the Sebelius news.
April 28, 2009 7:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks FDR. I love being excited about stuff again after a really bad ten years. Really, good news from November 2006 and on. A year before that I thought the dems were dead, dead, dead.
April 28, 2009 8:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
(clink!)
I'm buying! I always liked him, although he could be a real lockstep jerk sometimes.
The Grand Old Party is quickly becoming the Grand Obsolete Party. Not a minute too soon, either.
=D
April 28, 2009 7:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
The Party of GnOPe?
April 28, 2009 7:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
=D
Just so!
April 28, 2009 7:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
(clink!)
Can't wait to hear wot Mum in PA thinks...
April 28, 2009 7:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
Sometimes I like to look back and see what the various pundits had to say when they looked into their crystal balls.
The always wrong asshat Fred Barnes, editor of the Weakly Standard, gave us this prediction in September 2004:
(CLINK!)
trucknutz!!
April 29, 2009 2:05 AM | Reply | Permalink
This is good news. Not very good at all the kibuki stuff, but I'm hoping they come up with a good candidate for the primaries to scare the crap out of him to appease the left. This could be seriously good news. Thanks Dick. You sure are back in action fast!
April 28, 2009 7:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
Obey, Spector just gave some terrible speech--right wing and everything in the Senate just a week or so ago. He was attempting of course to lure in repubs in Penn.
I was just thinking about your sentiments while watching Keith and Chris.
I think you are right. I think he has to come across pensive, courteous AND LEFT.
April 28, 2009 8:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
Cool aint it DickDay? ,think his old party will dub him "Jesse James the Train Robber" now. Good post
mister.
April 28, 2009 8:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
DonDi, they--Cronan and McConnell are already calling him Benedict Arlen or some such. THEY ARE PISSED. HA
April 28, 2009 8:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
How uncouth of the GOP to exSpectorate in public.
April 28, 2009 8:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
Exspectorate. They urinated on this guy for eight years. ha Now they are left to throw up all over themselves. That Cronan asshat from Texas...I watched him today.
Then I felt even better. ha
April 28, 2009 8:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
He looked like he might start crying. Couldn't happen to a nicer guy.
April 28, 2009 10:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
Orlando come and play at front room O They told me to ask you
I laughed silly when i saw you were referring to two dem parties. hahahahahahaha
I like your Green and Dems. But you should still do a quick blog tomorrow. It will take five minutes.
April 28, 2009 10:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
Sorry, D. No more for me.
April 29, 2009 12:44 AM | Reply | Permalink
With open arms and joy in my heart. He has come out of the darkness having seen the light.
C'mon Senators Collins and Snowe...whaddya waiting for?
April 28, 2009 11:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
You got that Libertine. Right on the money.
April 28, 2009 11:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hey DD, here is something to test out your new speakers. We can do it for Arlen:
Optimistic Voices
April 29, 2009 10:14 AM | Reply | Permalink
It works Mage, IT WORKS HA
April 29, 2009 6:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
I come late to this party..but I just don't share your unbridled joy. First and formost..Spector does not support Dawn Johnsen. She is vitally important to get to the bottom of the torture crap. I want her in there more than I can say. Second...he will not vote for EFCA. For what reason, I cannot tell you. And, that is why I am very sceptical about this great big political upheaval. I just do not think the Dems will get anything out of this except a little moral uplift. Nanny-nanny-boo-boo doesn't do much for policy. Spector is no better than Lieberman. They did what they did to keep their seats. To cover their butts, in other words.
April 28, 2009 11:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
Heart, I understand your position. But for many reasons listed in the comments, I see a rosier picture.
I see
April 28, 2009 11:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
Specter is a useless tool. Really, he is just a posturing, unprincipled, hypocritical hack whose presence in the Senate is an insult to Pennsylvanians and the body. I would hope to see a strong primary challenge to him from a real Democrat. He is utterly unreliable as a 60th vote.
April 29, 2009 6:51 AM | Reply | Permalink
LongTom, I am obviously more optimistic on this one.
But I tell you what. It is going to be fun to watch!!
April 29, 2009 9:17 AM | Reply | Permalink
He loves to moralize in front of the camera about warrantless wiretapping, and then he caved to GWB administration. He's been a democrat all along!!! Welcome Arlen, come on in. Joe Lieberman saved a seat for you.
April 29, 2009 8:53 AM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah Dija. Have you seen Stewart when he compares JoeL to the cartoon character--that dog. It is just soooo funny.
Once Al is in, we have 60. You cannot have that kind of majority without some infighting. There will always be four or five or even more sometimes who will try the patience of the majority.
But, yeah, I really feel good about this. HA
April 29, 2009 9:09 AM | Reply | Permalink
Conservative Democrats might be a pain in the ass, but at least they are our pain in the ass.
April 29, 2009 9:19 AM | Reply | Permalink
I told you before Orlando. You have a lot of talents. But you give the best one liners I have ever seen. ha You have a good day!!!
April 29, 2009 9:20 AM | Reply | Permalink
I dunno, DD. I get the feeling that the move was worse for the GOP than it was good for Democrats. He might vote in favor of some progressive things, yes, but I'm not expecting him to vote any differently than he did for the last 40+ years.
That said, I'll await his performance as a Democrat before I judge him.
April 29, 2009 11:13 AM | Reply | Permalink
Exactly Super. But I really look forward to see how this plays out. It makes Congress exciting to watch.
I think Arlen will play it slow. Just a slow drift to the left.
We shall see.
April 29, 2009 6:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
You know... I think this is OK.
If Spectre (sic) doesn't vote with the Dems for the next year then he WON'T get our support come election time.
Simple.
Hey, Arlen! Time to put your money where your mouth is!
You don't vote Dem, you retire. Now's your chance.
April 29, 2009 11:47 AM | Reply | Permalink
Ickyma, are you from Penn? I think there is more than a chance that some urging from the grassroots on the dem side will have an effect.
I never thought of it that way. Good, good point.
April 29, 2009 6:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
Nope... not from Penn. It just seems to make sense to me...
And then I saw this:
Specter’s first vote as a Democrat: No on Obama’s budget. http://thinkprogress.org/2009/04/29/specters-first-vote/
In a 53-to-43 vote tonight, the Senate followed the House in passing President Obama's budget. Not a single Republican voted in favor of the budget resolution, but a number of key Democrats including Sens. Evan Bayh (IN), Robert Byrd (WV), Ben Nelson (NE), and most notably Arlen Specter (PA) voted against it. [b]Just yesterday, Specter reportedly said to Obama, "I'm a loyal Democrat. I support your agenda."[/b] The budget resolution that passed tonight allowed for health care reform to be implemented using the budget reconciliation process, which Specter expressed his opposition to yesterday.
------------------------
A glimpse of the future???
April 29, 2009 10:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
God I hope not. Good find by the way. The best I could do was find the general vote after hearing a whisper of it on cable.
Good find and thank you.
I sure the hell hope this is not sucha glimpse.
April 29, 2009 10:57 PM | Reply | Permalink