While moderate Republicans and former moderate Republicans are ecstatic that Arlen Specter has changed parties rank and file Democrats are livid. Arlen Specter is not a Democrat because that requires more than checking a box on a voter registration form. Being a Democrat means, at the minimum, representing the interests of the average working person. It means supporting labor, equal, civil rights for all, diplomacy, justice, fair wages, safe working conditions, fair trade, and Supreme Court Justices who also support and uphold these principles.
Arlen Specter has been in the U.S. Senate for 29 years. He has not distinguished himself as an advocate for anyone but himself. His statement upon changing his party affiliation last week spoke volumes:
"I am not prepared to have my 29 year record decided by the Pennsylvania Republican electorate."
In other words, Sen. Specter has no respect for the democratic process where the voters of a party determine who will be their nominee. He also has no regard for the Pennsylvania Democratic Party voters because he supposedly arranged a deal where Gov. Rendell promised to clear the primary field. Well, we'll see who really runs the Pennsylvania Democratic Party, Ed Rendell or rank and file Democrats. In fact rank and file Democrats are outraged and livid over the thought of Arlen Specter being their Senate nominee.
Does Ed Rendell want to cast his political legacy in the hands of someone who had a key role in putting Clarence Thomas, John Roberts and Samuel Alito on the Supreme Court? Someone who supported the Iraq War, the Bush tax cuts, shredding the Fourth Amendment, played a key role in firing eight U.S. Attorneys, voted for torture and other horrendous, anti-Democratic votes? Sen. Specter personally killed the Employee Free Choice Act.
How can a Democrat expect to win in Pennsylvania without the left wing of the party and without labor? They cannot.
As voters are reminded of exactly whom Arlen Specter is and his 29 year record in the Senate they will abandon him for a real Democrat. Health is another serious issue. At age 80 next year Specter will be running for another six year term following two serious bouts with Hodgkins Disease since his last election. With the strong field of GOP Gubernatorial candidates and Pennsylvania's penchant for changing our Governor's Party every eight years, the odds are very high that electing Specter will mean this seat returning to the GOP. It is time to take the long view and consider someone who can keep the seat.
Gov. Rendell and President Obama have promised publically to support Sen. Specter. His first two votes as a Democrat however may sabotage that support. He voted against the President twice so far. If he refuses to support the President's agenda how can he expect the President or the Governor to support him? I suspect they'll offer tepid, one time only appearances simply to fulfill their publicly expressed support then work behind the scenes for a real Democrat.
Rendell controls substantial pursestrings but so do the netroots. A real Democratic challenger can rely on the Obama organization for support as Specter continues to sabotage his agenda. This grassroots organization is not something the President can also risk losing prior to 2012. It can be harnessed along with the fundraising capacity of the online community across the country to finance a serious challenge. Liberals and progressives loath Arlen Specter and thirst for someone to support. Working the major blogs can be highly effective financially for the right candidate.
Rank and file Democrats are not happy having yet another Senate candidate rammed down their throats, someone whose 29 year record undermines all of which they've believed for years, worked to achieve, and finally accomplished. Specter himself said he would not be a reliable 60th vote for Democrats. It is time to insure that Pennsylvania provides that reliable 60th vote to break the Republican filibuster machine. Healthcare, worker's rights, civil rights, peace and justice demand a Senator we can count on, change we can count on.
Combine the liberal wing of the Pennsylvania Democratic Party (the Obama machine) and the forces of labor behind the AFL-CIO and a credible, serious challenger can beat Snarlin' Arlen and insure this seat become reliably Democratic for years.
