Arlen Specter to become a Democrat

[Sheilbh]

I think Snowe should never mention "fiscal responsibility" again.  She voted for the most fiscally irresponsible bill in US history.

She opposed spending increase for most of the time the GOP ran the Senate, as well as the Bush tax cuts because, like McCain, she didn't think they were adequately funded.  As far as I can tell she's only really been keen on spending when there's a global economic crisis.  I think she's in a better position to discuss fiscal responsibility than most Republican Senators who supported very large amounts spending so long as they were in power. 

[Sheilbh]

Pennsylvania isn't that liberal of a place: they did get Rick Santorum elected to a couple of terms there.

I realise that but I thought it was generally a Democrat state and that's it's been voting more and more liberal in recent years.

[Faeelin]

I think Snowe should never mention "fiscal responsibility" again.  She voted for the most fiscally irresponsible bill in US history.

She opposed spending increase for most of the time the GOP ran the Senate, as well as the Bush tax cuts because, like McCain, she didn't think they were adequately funded.  As far as I can tell she's only really been keen on spending when there's a global economic crisis.  I think she's in a better position to discuss fiscal responsibility than most Republican Senators who supported very large amounts spending so long as they were in power.

Sorry. Since Hans is starting from the idea that countercyclical economic spending is a fool's errand, and BTW Bush's Deficits were actually great because they were smaller than that unsustainable economic growth, your argument means squat.

[alfred russel]

Sorry. Since Hans is starting from the idea that countercyclical economic spending is a fool's errand, and BTW Bush's Deficits were actually great because they were smaller than that unsustainable economic growth, your argument means squat.

Growth during the Bush years was poor. I hope the growth rates we've seen the past decade or so are sustainable, or our economic future is not going to be very good.

[jimmy olsen]

Did I beat Tim?

I saw it on CNN online as breaking news, but they took it down, so it may not be true. I guess this would make the Democratic majority filibusterproof, once Al Franken wins his seat.

I can't post from school.

[Vince]

I think Snowe should never mention "fiscal responsibility" again.  She voted for the most fiscally irresponsible bill in US history.

Is there any US Congressman who could actually be considered fiscally responsible?

Out of 535, you'd think at least one or two maybe. Probably not though. 

Hell even Ron Paul loaded up one of those spending bills with more pork than any other GOP congressman.

[Neil]

Sorry. Since Hans is starting from the idea that countercyclical economic spending is a fool's errand, and BTW Bush's Deficits were actually great because they were smaller than that unsustainable economic growth, your argument means squat.

Is he starting from that position?  I thought his ire from the bill was that it was full of ideological spending that he disagrees with.

[Neil]

I think Snowe should never mention "fiscal responsibility" again.  She voted for the most fiscally irresponsible bill in US history.

Is there any US Congressman who could actually be considered fiscally responsible?

Out of 535, you'd think at least one or two maybe. Probably not though. 

I dunno.  Was there someone who voted against both the stimulus and the Bush tax cuts?

[Faeelin]

Incidentally, I read somewhere that the GOP was withholding campaignn funds from Snowe and Specter because of their stimulus votes.

Really? And they expect them to stay with the party?

[FunkMonk]

Who would have thought someone named Arlen would become a Democrat at age 79?

[Sheilbh]

Incidentally, I read somewhere that the GOP was withholding campaignn funds from Snowe and Specter because of their stimulus votes.

Really? And they expect them to stay with the party?

I don't think they're doing that.  Michael Steele said that he'd consider it as an option.

[Faeelin]

Incidentally, I read somewhere that the GOP was withholding campaignn funds from Snowe and Specter because of their stimulus votes.

Really? And they expect them to stay with the party?

I don't think they're doing that.  Michael Steele said that he'd consider it as an option.

Why would you make that threat? "Because of their vote, we may cut off his reelection funding. What are you going to do, switch parties?"

[KRonn]

Traitor Spector! Too bad that Darth Cheney isn't still VP - else Spector would rightfully find himself cooling his heels in Gitmo for his treachery!   

[Barrister]

Why would you make that threat? "Because of their vote, we may cut off his reelection funding. What are you going to do, switch parties?"

Because it's one of the few tools you have to enforce party solidarity and loyalty.

Now it all depends on how you use that threat but as party leader you can't take it off the table as an option...

[Viking]

Traitor Spector! Too bad that Darth Cheney isn't still VP - else Spector would rightfully find himself cooling his heels in Gitmo for his treachery!   

The 100 days are up, if the G.O.P. was going to assassinate him they would have done it by now.. so by that logic I think Spectre thought it was finally safe to join the "Good Guys".