Specter switches
2009 April 28
As most of you know by now, Senator Specter of Pa has switched parties. Now I do not wish to get into the merits or lack thereof, of Specter’s action, but it seems clear that Specter switched solely for the purpose of preserving his political hide.
However I have a real problem with a politican of either party running and winning as either a Republican or Democrat, then switching parties. That seems unfair to the people who supported that politican in his election. I have always felt that if you wish to change parties you should resign and stand for election under your new party label.
Your thoughts?
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Mixed feelings. I’m not sure if purging the impure will work for the GOP in the long term. May depend on how much the Dems overreach. It sure won’t work out real well (for the GOP) in the near term! He was already voting with the Dems a good bit, so his constituents won’t see a big difference in how he votes.
You suggestion to resign seems noble. Unfortunately that is not a trait common in politicians.
I hate it when politicians switch parties after being elected. I absolutely cannot stand it. I think it’s a cowardly thing to do. If he wanted to switch, he should have waited until election time and then done it, but changing in a non-election year is just so stupid. (And he has even switched to my party, so you’d think I’d be happy…)
I will go even further:
1 - It is a fraud on the voters.
2 - It shows that the politican has no beliefs other than “get re-elected by whatever means it takes
I don’t think he should resign. Sure, he was deceitful and self-serving, and he lacks integrity. He’s a politician. They’d all have to resign if those were reasons. In all seriousness, Pennsylvanians elected Arlen Specter not the Republican Party. Specter is starting the election cycle for 2010 and needs to make it clear what he intends to do. He has shown over the years that he is willing to buck his own party and I am guessing he will continue to do so. This may come back to haunt him though since this is a midterm election.
Are we elected a humanoid to office or a party member? If the first, switching parties has all the effect of deciding polo shirt or t shirt. If the second, well, i see where you’re coming from.
Walt, the fact is we are often called upon to choose from candidates who we really don’t know where they stand on many issues. While party afflilation is not infallible, in the absence of sssomething else, it gives some insight into a candidate’s overall views.
Plus it seems rather like buying Auburn football tickets from someone, only to have them send you Alabama Tickets after they get your money.
Did Spector actually change any of his views or positions on anything? From what I’ve read, he changed party, but still holds the same views. So why is that damaging to people who voted for him?
Particularly when one considers the fact that had he not changed party, just about any Democrat would would have opposed him and won would likely have been more liberal. So don’t the conservatives win out in the long run in having kept a moderate in office rather than losing to someone more liberal?