Steele Ejects Specter From Republican Party

[SamSpade]

Originally Posted by bcp

and the best part? It will work.

I think it won't, for a couple reasons. Specter was shortsighted.

If I were the Democratic chair, I'd be really nice to him until the primary next year - and then dump his butt. If a Democrat is going to run against someone OTHER than Specter in 2010, why not just get someone who can keep the seat another 30 years, than an 80 year old who might actually vote Republican occasionally?

Think of it - no Specter to run *against*. Probably Twomey. If Obama is still popular next year, Specter is a waste of good campaign money.

Trade him in.

[Larry Gude (Premo)]

Originally Posted by SamSpade

I think it won't, for a couple reasons. Specter was shortsighted.

If I were the Democratic chair, I'd be really nice to him until the primary next year - and then dump his butt. If a Democrat is going to run against someone OTHER than Specter in 2010, why not just get someone who can keep the seat another 30 years, than an 80 year old who might actually vote Republican occasionally?

Think of it - no Specter to run *against*. Probably Twomey. If Obama is still popular next year, Specter is a waste of good campaign money.

Trade him in.

That makes sense but it doesn't account for Spectre () doing what Leibermann did and run on his statewide popularity as an indie. I don't think Spectre enjoys the deep popularity that Joe does but, as a practical matter, if Spectre runs, he probably cuts away more center and some left voters from whomever the Dems support and, basically, hands the election to the new R.

[SamSpade]

Originally Posted by Larry Gude

That makes sense but it doesn't account for Spectre () doing what Leibermann did and run on his statewide popularity as an indie. I don't think Spectre enjoys the deep popularity that Joe does but, as a practical matter, if Spectre runs, he probably cuts away more center and some left voters from whomever the Dems support and, basically, hands the election to the new R.

I think if I were 80 years old and had been a Senator for 30 years - and got jilted by my new found friends, I'd sensibly retire. Every time I see Specter on TV, I wonder if he has the energy to ever run again, period. Frankly, I was hoping he'd retire anyway.

If McCain's detractors were able to make hay with him being in his 70's - as they did with Dole - how will that help an 80 year old man?

And as weird as it sounds, Joe got re-elected by Republicans. Wikipedia states "Exit polls showed that Lieberman won the vote of 33% of democrats, 54% of independents and 70% of Republicans". Now there's irony. He caucuses with the Dems and votes D most of the time, but he got in with Republican votes.

[Larry Gude (Premo)]

Originally Posted by SamSpade

I think if I were 80 years old and had been a Senator for 30 years - and got jilted by my new found friends, I'd sensibly retire. Every time I see Specter on TV, I wonder if he has the energy to ever run again, period. Frankly, I was hoping he'd retire anyway. If he's ready to quit, why in the heck not just retire with grace nd honor as opposed to going out like this?

If McCain's detractors were able to make hay with him being in his 70's - as they did with Dole - how will that help an 80 year old man?

And as weird as it sounds, Joe got re-elected by Republicans. Wikipedia states "Exit polls showed that Lieberman won the vote of 33% of democrats, 54% of independents and 70% of Republicans". Now there's irony. He caucuses with the Dems and votes D most of the time, but he got in with Republican votes.

This is why I am an advocate of voting for someone you can be content with having supported; win or lose, you supported someone you actually support. If GOP voters liked Joe better than their own candidate, good on them.

[SamSpade]

Originally Posted by Larry Gude

If he's ready to quit, why in the heck not just retire with grace nd honor as opposed to going out like this?

Well, because he's not ready to retire. He pretty much made it clear that he switched because the state Republican party wouldn't nominate him the next time around. He kind of made it SOUND as though it were a principle kind of thing, but he was just trying to keep his job. If you had any intention of retiring, you wouldn't do anything of the sort.

I find it strange but not unexpected. I think I'd have to face the fact that at 80 years of age, I'm going to be unfit to do a lot of serious work, especially if it means competing against men half my age for the same job. I also think that when you're a Senator for 30 years, you begin to think you're the Man of Steel. This is why some politicians are URGED to retire. And the GOP is particularly bad (or good, depending on how you look at it) at this - they don't encourage new blood.

[Larry Gude (Premo)]

Originally Posted by SamSpade

Well, because he's not ready to retire. He pretty much made it clear that he switched because the state Republican party wouldn't nominate him the next time around. He kind of made it SOUND as though it were a principle kind of thing, but he was just trying to keep his job. If you had any intention of retiring, you wouldn't do anything of the sort.

I find it strange but not unexpected. I think I'd have to face the fact that at 80 years of age, I'm going to be unfit to do a lot of serious work, especially if it means competing against men half my age for the same job. I also think that when you're a Senator for 30 years, you begin to think you're the Man of Steel. This is why some politicians are URGED to retire. And the GOP is particularly bad (or good, depending on how you look at it) at this - they don't encourage new blood.

OK, but, old senators; it's a stereotype, an accurate one.

[Rosehaven]

I agree 100% with Larry Gude. That must mean he's learning....

Arlen ought to just walk away. Enough is enough and he's had a good run. But something happens on the Hill and it becomes tough to not be one of 100.