The Daybook
POTUS Events: Introducing Specter the Democrat
President Obama walks from the Rose Garden to the Oval Office, April 28, 2009. (Charles Dharapak/Associated Press)
By Sarah Lovenheim
President Obama delivers joint remarks with Sen. Arlen Specter, who yesterday announced his decision to become a Democrat, at the White House.
Around 8:30 a.m., Obama leaves for St. Louis. At 11:20 a.m. ET, Obama holds a town hall meeting at Fox High School in Arnold, Mo. He is expected back in Washington by 4:00 p.m. At 8:00 p.m., he holds a news conference from the East Room of the White House.
White House press secretary Robert Gibbs will not hold his regular briefing today. Instead, there will be a gaggle aboard Air Force One.
Check out our Federal City Digest for more noteworthy events around town.
Posted at 8:15 AM ET on Apr 29, 2009
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Posted by: ReaganiteRepublican | April 29, 2009 5:57 PM
Its interesting that Specter has decided to jump ship-- taking a left turn. I knew he's one of three Republicans who often vote with Democrats in the Senate, but this move was quite unexpected.
But my question given his remarks: Will his role with the Democrats be about votes or seats? If he cannot be counted on to give those "60 votes" so much needed on the left, then what are the real 'hurrahs" all about?
Nevertheless, I admired Specter as a Republican who often demonstrated his 'enlightened' points -of- view,and can only hope this move was not about the 'personal' but about love of country and 'better ideas.! Will continue to watch him as a Democrat, too! And yes, his coming aboard on President's Obama's 100th day in office speaks volumes. That's a possibility I never saw. The moderate wing of GOP gone for good? But kudos to Obama to celebrate this coup despite the remarks of a Bill Kristol.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QuB1bOjPjEU
http://www.vernasmith.com
Posted by: Victoria5 | April 29, 2009 11:44 AM
The comments to this entry are closed.
Sorry, but this cynical, self-serving move had absolutely nothing to do with values, policy, or any high-minded thinking of any kind- though President Obama surely would like for you to think that.
Everybody knows he did it because he was down 21% in the polls leading-up to the GOP primary for his seat, he already admitted as such- Joey Pluggs made a deal with him. The sad truth is that this mediocre hack has spent three decades in the Senate, while accomplishing very little.
And Barack and him have a lot in common- as unprincipled political opportunists, I’m sure they’ll get along just great- Just a little over a month ago, the Specter said in an interview that he wouldn’t switch parties due to the importance of checks and balances. And back in 2001, Sen. Arlen Specter, then a Republican, proposed a rule forbidding party switches… he was upset when Vt Sen. Jim Jeffords’ left the GOP to become an independent.
Who knows what the truth is with this guy, you’ll never get it from him.
http://reaganiterepublicanresistance.blogspot.com