Specter Press Conference Thread

by Jonathan Singer, Tue Apr 28, 2009 at 10:30:42 AM EDT

Consider this a thread on Arlen Specter's press conference on his decision to switch to the Democratic Party.

Update [2009-4-28 14:32:44 by Jonathan Singer]: Specter says that he and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid have agreed to respect his seniority as if he had been elected as a Democrat in 1980.

Update [2009-4-28 14:37:18 by Jonathan Singer]: On follow up, Specter indicates how this seniority issue plays out, specifically in terms of subcommittee chairmanships -- though from the grin on his face you have to get the sense that he is not coming to the Democratic caucus without the possibility of retaining some power.

Update [2009-4-28 14:43:50 by Todd Beeton]:Specter: "I'd be ahead of Senator Harkin." Implying that he would take over the chairmanship of the Health Sub-committee of Appropriations. Bullshit.

Update [2009-4-28 14:37:18 by Jonathan Singer]: Specter indicates that he remains opposed to the Employee Free Choice Act, which he calls a bad bill, as well as the nomination of Dawn Johnsen. Interesting...

Tags: 111th Congress, Arlen Specter, PA-Sen, Senate 2010 (all tags)

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Re: Specter Press Conference Thread

What do we get out of this? Who's gonna primary him?

by umcpgreg 2009-04-28 10:43AM | 0 recs

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as well as the nomination of Dawn Johnsen???

Hey, throw that fish back. I think it's rotted from the head...

Great, another Ben Nelson. Sheesh!

by WashStateBlue 2009-04-28 10:44AM | 0 recs

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Re: Specter Press Conference Thread

Still no EFCA... Damn.

by IowaProgressive 2009-04-28 10:45AM | 0 recs

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Re: Specter Press Conference Thread

Specter indicates that he remains opposed to the Employee Free Choice Act, which he calls a bad bill, as well as the nomination of Dawn Johnsen. Interesting...

A bad bill he used to support. Go figure.

Okay, what about cloture? Is there any chance he'll support cloture on EFCA/Johnsen and then vote against it?

by mcc 2009-04-28 10:47AM | 0 recs

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Re: Specter Press Conference Thread

No, he specifically said he would NOT vote for cloture.

by Jess81 2009-04-28 10:49AM | 0 recs

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Guh

Well, he apparently couldn't win a general election in PA without Labor support.

Let's see how far he gets in a Democratic primary without it.

by mcc 2009-04-28 10:53AM | 0 recs

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Re: Specter Press Conference Thread

In brief:

"Hi, I'm going to retain all my positions, but get to wield a gavel. Oh, and the President, Vice-President, and Governor have my back. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go vote against them. Peace out, and big ups to Big Linc, Joe tha Hustler, my homegirl Heather, and all my brothers in lockdown. Peace in the middle east."

by Jess81 2009-04-28 10:48AM | 0 recs

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CALM DOWN

It will take time to see what Specter actually does.

For example, a "tweak" in the bill may enable him to say "it's OK." We don't need him on the nomination. Let's just see a bit before stomping huffily...

by borlov 2009-04-28 10:51AM | 0 recs

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Re: CALM DOWN

I'm calm.

You may be right. But taken at face value, what he said at the press conference doesn't give much cause for optimism. I mean he can't credibly switch on EFCA without a token, but he wants to be a Democrat and he's going to oppose Dawn Johnson???

by Jess81 2009-04-28 10:58AM | 0 recs

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I have a call in to Harkin's office

to find out whether he has received any assurances from Harry Reid about his committee and subcommittee positions.

by desmoinesdem 2009-04-28 11:16AM | 0 recs

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Re: I have a call in to Harkin's office

Please do. I have no love for Harry Reid but if he consented to that....

by Jess81 2009-04-28 11:48AM | 0 recs