A Political Surprise

Arlen Specter (R D-PA).

That sure was a big political jump. Yes, one can say he wants to get re-elected and that was the best way to accomplish it (maybe.) But underneath it is the reason he is afraid he wouldn't get re-elected- his party shifted under him. He is still the same Arlen Specter he's been for 29 years- an independent-minded moderate. In the current Republican Party atmosphere that puts him as a leftist-radical. He is still a little more conservative than the average Democratic Party platform. But he does fit better there than in the GOP.

Yes he wants to get re-elected and he switched so he can continue the same pattern of work and politics he has done. Republicans were not happy with his less than 100% caving-in to their newly minted super-conservative agenda. They were going to try and replace him. You can't do what you want to do in the Senate if you don't get re-elected.

I am not sure he will get re-elected. The Democrats in Pennsylvania will have to work hard to make they get out the votes for him. There will be a backlash from some of the moderate Republicans unless of course they are fed up with the far-right politics that is passing for the GOP right now.

It should be interesting- and we're still over a year away.