I'm sure many of you have read by now that Pennsylvania Senator Arlen Specter has decided to switch parties and to become a Democrat. As many of you who follow politics also know, this does not come as a surprise. Senator Specter has been wishy washy on a lot of issues for many years now. I met Senator Specter at a meet and greet in Phoenix, AZ around 1995 when he was exploring the idea of running for the GOP nomination. When the question and answer portion of the event came about I asked the Senator what his view was on the 2nd Amendment. Most people, if they are adamant about protecting the 2nd amendment, are quick to reply in its support. Senator Specter on the other hand hesitated when answering this question. This hesitation, followed by a canned reply of support, was so disingenuous that it still stands out in my mind 14 years later.
Like in 1995, the Senator's remarks today also seemed disingenuous. My gut says that this move has little to do with his political philosophy and more to do with power. Arlen Specter has seen the writing on the wall in Pennsylvania. He was facing strong opposition in the GOP primary and he has seen the shift in voter registration in his state away from the GOP and towards the Democrats. Senator Specter knows that, if he were to win the GOP primary, the fight would leave him badly bruised and would likely result in a loss to the Democrat in the general election.
Though this is a temporary set back for the GOP, this is part of the house cleaning that must be done in order to be the fiscally conservative party that they are striving to be again. Good riddance Senator. Now you can finally be at home where you have always belonged.
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