Specter: I'm Not 'Automatic 60th Vote' for Dems

GOP colleagues 'stunned,' angered by senator's party switch

By Harry Kimball, Newser Staff

Posted Apr 28, 2009 3:14 PM CDT

(Newser) – Newly minted Democrat Arlen Specter said he will not blindly toe the party line, Politico reports. “I will not be an automatic 60th vote,” the veteran Pennsylvania senator said, pointing out recent opposition to a unionization bill. “If the Democratic Party asks too much, I will not vote with them.”

The reaction from Republicans, meanwhile, ranged from shock to anger. “I’m stunned,” said, Sen. San Brownback “I had no idea this was coming.” Said Sen. Olympia Snowe: “The blunt reality is that we’re losing another key moderate who has played a key role in the Republican Party.” And in a statement, Republican National Committee chairman Michael Steele snarled, “Some in the Republican Party are happy about this. I am not. … Republicans look forward to beating Sen. Specter in 2010, assuming the Democrats don’t do it first.”

[Images (5)]

[Quotes (1)]

Sen. Arlen Specter, D-Pa., speaks at a news conference today. (AP Photo)

Sen. Arlen Specter, D-Pa., leaves a news conference today. (AP Photo)

Republican National Chairman Michael Steele. (AP Photo)

Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas. (AP Photo)

Sen. Arlen Specter, D-Pa., speaks to the media today. (AP Photo)

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Voters next year will have a clear choice to cast their ballots for a potentially unbridled Democrat super-majority versus the system of checks-and-balances that Americans deserve. - Senator John Cornyn, on Specter's defection

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 5 comments

oldgoat

Apr 29, 2009 9:24 AM CDT

Nothing wrong with voting near the middle. The problem comes when you vote far left or far right and won't budge because of party lines. Too bad they've forgotten that they were elected to represent the people of their district and no just the party.

Fondue

Apr 29, 2009 1:11 AM CDT

I would rather have some one who is going to vote the way 'they' see the issue, not the way the party tells you. Do you want a puppet representing you? It must just be me, but I want my rep. representing me (an actual constituent) not a party. That's the problem with parties, there are so many different views that the individual is rendered moot. If we are just going to vote for parties then we should change ballots to only say D, R, I. You circle one, they select. At least he's being honest about the whole thing though.

justme

Apr 28, 2009 11:11 AM CDT

The Dems will soon learn what the Republicans have kknown for a long time. Specter votes wherever it suits him, mostly near the middle. He will join the rank of the Blue dogs.

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Specter: I'm Not 'Automatic 60th Vote' for Dems