Specter: Republicans Support Stimulus, Don't Want 'Fingerprints' On It

Sen. Arlen Specter (R-PA), who broke with his party to support President Obama's stimulus package last week, said before the final vote Friday that more of his colleagues would have joined were they not afraid of the political consequences.

"When I came back to the cloak room after coming to the agreement a week ago today," said Specter, "one of my colleagues said, 'Arlen, I'm proud of you.' My Republican colleague said, 'Arlen, I'm proud of you.' I said, 'Are you going to vote with me?' And he said, 'No, I might have a primary.' And I said, 'Well, you know very well I'm going to have a primary.'"

Specter, along with centrist Maine Republican Senators Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe, joined with Democrats last week to move the stimulus bill forward. Specter said he doubted there would be any more Republican votes than those three Friday night.

"I think there are a lot of people in the Republican caucus who are glad to see this action taken without their fingerprints, without their participation," he said.

Specter was asked, How many of your colleagues?

"I think a sizable number," he said. "I think a good part of the caucus agrees with the person I quoted, but I wouldn't want to begin to speculate on numbers."

Being the 60th and deciding vote isn't easy for a centrist who will likely face a more conservative primary challenger and then a more liberal general election opponent.

"I'd feel less uncomfortable about being the sixty-first and even better about being the sixty-seventh, but I'll take 'em one at a time," he said.

Specter added that his hope was that next time there would be more Republicans joining within him. But is that realistic?

"I didn't say it was my expectation, it was my hope," said Specter, before walking on to the Senate floor.

UPDATE: Listen to the audio.

Comments

[pauljwlr]

This is exactly why when i was a registered Pennsylvania Democrat. [[ now a registered Indie]] i've always voted for Specter. He always votes for what he thinks is best for the country no matter what his party thinks is best for themselves. And this is exactly why i will vote for him when his term comes up the next time. I don't always agree with the guy ,but i have always had respect for him.

[mjc]

Those of you who think Specter was just "jiving" us, remember that the Republican Party has quite a few irrational, deeply conservative....or at least a rigid version of 'conservative', people in their party and Specter will have trouble finding any liberal Republicans or even moderate Republicans. In addition, the money available in a primary fight will probably go to the more conservative guy. So it WILL be uphill for Specter.....and for Snowe also.

[holyhandgrenaid]

No, it won't for Snowe. Theres noone more conservative to challenge her or Collins, at least not anyone credible (so little credibility, that I'd even reckon the Club for Growth wouldn't waste their time backing them)

[timberdoodle]

Since there is such obvious differing opinions on what the stimulus bill will do and how it should have been constructed with Dems wanting money to go for job creation and assisting the disadvantaged and the Republicans want the amount of the bill lowered and consisting of tax cuts there is a simple solution to satisfy everyone.

Those Republicans who think nothing should be done or it should only include tax cuts they can and should stand up for what they say and believe by refusing all monies for their respective areas except of course for the tax cuts.

All the money the Republicans turn down other than the tax cuts should be deducted off the total cost of the stimulus bill and that way both parties and their supporters will have got what they wanted from this piece of legislation.

Kind of a simple and ironic solution to resolve the differences and everone should be happy.

[Bramble8]

The GOP has gone over the cliff this time. Hope they enjoy the wilderness.

[judithod]

We're all going to be wandering in an economic "wilderness" thanks to Obama's boondoggle stimulus.

[patricksmom]

Well we could have shooting wolves from helicopters I guess.

[mintor]

great stim if you wealthhy buy all new stuff . if not get on avg. 47 bucks a month extra buy bread for your family.

[CaptainVideo]

The stimulus benefits almost all Americans in many different ways than just any money they get directly. By reducing the lenght and severity of the recession fewer people will get laid off, salary and benefit reductions will be fewer, and fewer businesses will go bankrupt. In the minority of sectors of the economy that are expanding, there will be more and better jobs. Additional students will get better opportunity to get a better education. We will have better, less run down roads, etc. etc. etc.

Judging the stimulus package only on the basis of what is in it for me DIRECTLY is a very myopic, short-sighted way of looking at it.

[Cil]

Don't forget.................included in this bill is an extension of the unemployment
benefits by 33 weeks (hope I got that right) This will be a Godsend for the
millions of people who lose their jobs!

[TAC]

"Judging the stimulus package only on the basis of what is in it for me DIRECTLY is a very myopic, short-sighted way of looking at it."

But that IS the way most of my fellow citizens look at anything regarding government. See: Reagan, Bush, Bush...

[patricksmom]

Agreed.

[CaptainVideo]

That kind of political cowardance sure isn't putting COUNTRY FIRST!

"'Are you going to vote with me?' And he said, 'No, I might have a primary."

But they are also going to have an election against a Democrat. It is absolutely neccessary to make voting against the stimulus even more costly in the election for these cowardly hypocrites than voting for it would have been in the primary. Democrats need to attack these people for voting against it and keep attacking them for voting against it until election day.

Move On is planning to run ads against some of them, a campaign to which I have contributed. The political payback against these cowards should begin immediately and be relentless.

[mintor]

wow , so low too middle income ppl get only 13 bucks a week extra might get 3 days of gas get too work.
while wealthy tax payers get big fat rebate same congress. have spend get some discont.

[patricksmom]

Still stuck on self?

[judesedit]

Yes,but remember...they pay much more in taxes.. supposedly....usually....sometimes....maybe.

[judesedit]

No. Really they do. Just make enough to put you in the next higher tax bracket and you will see first hand. The only thing is, many have more write-offs of all kinds.

[impik]

What a bunch of cowards. Disgu/sting.

[TAC]

Cowards everywhere protest comparing them with GOPers, but to be fair the Dems have more than their fair share also...

[fredamae]

Well, I wonder, After the Stim is a Success, Which Band of Pubs will come forward with: "Well, I supported it, but My constituents were not..so I voted against it and against what I thought was best". "I am the voice of "MY" people, so I had NO choice but to Oppose it"

[canobserv]

I posted this once already but I shall try agin....My fav cartoon of the past couple of weeks..................

http://politicalhumor.about.com/od/politicalcartoons/ig/Political-Cartoons/Obama-Reaches-Out.htm

[Wiserone]

Ah, Arlen, the primo politician. He was getting trashed pretty hard by his fellow Republican bretheran when he decided to walk on the more liberal side of the aisle. I mean, if any of the Rethug's come out now and claim Arlen doesn't know what he is talking about, who looks more foolish? The Rethug's are in a rock and a hard place. Checkmate, Arlen.

[CaptainVideo]

It is important that the Democrats run only the weakest token campaign against the Republicans who had the guts to do the right thing and vote for the bill even though it will cost them politically.

[FR]

We hear you, but I have mixed feelings about that. Sure, it would be a form of deserved gratitude. The two grand ladies in Maine are safe for a while, so it's only Specter, who clearly voted this way because he can feel the vibes in PA.
He hasn't been always been so helpful, and I still remember his repulsive treatment of Anita Hill.
One decent Republican that was sacrificed in order to get a majority was Lincoln Chaffee in RI. I'm not sure U have as much respect for Specter.

Your other post, though, is spot-on: we must go after all the others.

[CaptainVideo]

And agressively and relelntlessly oppose those Republicans in blue and purple districts and states that voted against the stimulus. A number of them are in blue districts and even states.

[CaptainVideo]

This should obviously go below the post below this.

[holyhandgrenaid]

I've been trying to figure out which GOP senator that's up in 2010 would have been the one to commend Spector's 'bravery'

It definitely wouldn't have been: Thune, Shelby, DeMint, Vitter, Coburn, or McCain (although if he hadn't been so vocally anti-stimulus, I'd have suspected him)

Brownback, Voinovich, Bond, and Martinez are all retiring

He implied it was a man, so I doubt it was Murkowski or Hutcheson (although my first guess would have been Murkowski otherwise, although Spector might have been playing pronouns here)

The ones I don't know enough about are Bennet (UT), Crapo, Isakson, and Grassley

Normally I'd suspect Gregg, but well... yeah (not to mention, he'll probably retire, and there's no one to come from the right for him)

Bunning is a possibility, but only because hes generally bats#!t, but then is also pretty dang conservative

any thoughts people?

[1liberalconspirator]

I've wondered as well. We will never know.

[DrZee]

I really don't know those Republicans....

but...

since this whole thing began, I've had the sneaking suspicion (which is hardly sneaking when you're dealing with the GOP) that the Repubs had a meeting, chose 3 senators, and let those 3 take the heat, knowing full well the other Repubs would lob everything they had against the bill. Knowing they wouldn't win.

Why exactly 3? Hmmmmm..... odd isn't it?

I cannot believe that all the Republicans... all... really wanted to vote against that bill.

I completely believe Spector -- a guy I've never never never trusted. I'll bet while they were all trembling in their boots to be the one that might grab the short straw, they were pleased as punch that the Dems were going to do something to save their constituents. They get to have it both ways.

I guess Spector either volunteered (trust me, he now has some leverage with those who know) or took the short straw and did his best. He's a player. As for the Maine Chicks -- they are soooo on the edge over in Maine that they would have been tarred and feathered if they didn't come home with the money.

What would a TRUE believer actually do? Refuse the money. I'd like to see McCain do that.

Republicans get to vote no AND take the money. Sweet deal.

As Lindsay The Drama Queen Graham said, "I'd be stupid not to take the money."

See? A complete set up. Stupid? Let the voters

[holyhandgrenaid]

Graham would have been high on my list of possibilities, but someone who jsut got reelected isn't gonna waste time worrying about a primary now (which is why I've only focused on those up in 2010)

Otherwise, Your idea is certainly plausible, but I'm inclined to think that those three actually stood on principle here. While Spector has a reputation for being faithless (he was originally elected as a Dem you know), he Collins and Snowe are the most 'liberal' republicans (such as it is). I don't think they drew the short stick. Either they were assigned the task, or are in it for real. I'd like to believe the latter.

[CaptainVideo]

Unfortunatly the right-wing nut cases on the media, like Limbaugh, scare the s**t out of most Republicans. Perhaps the main reason that bipartisanship has become impossible is because they are hostages of these nutjobs.

[RuthlessDictator]

My guess is George Voinovich of Ohio, who is somewhat moderate.

I'm sure he's not totally blind to the extreme job losses in our state.

[holyhandgrenaid]

Yes, but no. Spector said the cowardly one was worried about a primary from the right. Voinovich is retiring, so that rules him out.

That said, I fail to understand why he toed the party line on this one.

[CaptainVideo]

But he is not planning to run for reelection. He could have voted for this without having to face a right wing nutjob in the Republican primary.

[holyhandgrenaid]

I just realized I forgot Burr. Mixed bag, that one. I'd put him in the category with Bennett Crapo Isakson and Grassley

[mjc]

Sounds like something McCain might say....to me...

[holyhandgrenaid]

That's fair, and that's why I'd be inclined to suspect him, but if he really thought that, he would have kept his mouth shut about it then instead of criticizing it.

[Goldilocks]

Chalk up a win for Arlen! His Republican buddies are gone as in yesterday if the stimulus is even one half successful because a half a loaf of bread is better than no loaf at all.!
Yyesterday's whining by his Republican friends was truly an exercise in mealymouthed bullying and cowardice. They reflect their retired leader who was willing to walk away from every duty which was ever placed before him, including 9/11.
Good riddance in 2010 to these feckless freeloaders in our government. They just want and want but have no will for the people.

[judithod]

You'll be lucky to get a half loaf of bread. Remember that Pelosi's wetland mice are getting $30 million thanks to the cheesy stimulus bill!

[patricksmom]

People who have news sources other than Fox News know that the wetland mice story is a lie.

[timetorevolt]

That confirms that the rethugs would rather play politics than help this country recover after they destoyed it. McSame is the most egregious offender.. He is a liar and a traitor when he claims "country first".

[LeeVing]

He's just old and has lost his cabbage. He needs to go home and have a nap after lunch.

[CaptainVideo]

It was a serious mistake to put Governor Napalitano in the cabinet. She should have been kept as governor of Arizona and groomed to run against the old codger in 2010.

Arizona is ready to become a blue state.

[WilliG56]

The Republicans absolutely amaze me! Item1 -- The new Senate and House barely opened their doors, the new President had just been sworn in, and the Republicans focused on the 2010 elections. They are convinced that somehow the voters were manipulated by the press, on such a grand scale, that the Republicans erroneously lost control/majority in Washington, and the voters really want them to make a comeback. Just one big mistake/misunderstanding. What can you do with a Party that is so lost? The voters will once again have to come through in 2010 and rid Washington of it's neo-con base once and for all. Item 2 -- This attempted remake of the Republican image into 'born again fiscal stewards' is almost beyond comment. The last 8 years are etched upon our minds and we know what party pulled the strings that got us into this mess. Drop the Geobble bs and try rolling up your sleeves and getting your hands dirty (the good kind of dirty) and do what's right. Learn to play with others nicely and maybe, just maybe, you'll get to keep your job in 2010. For now, spare us the sophomoric rhetoric.

[canobserv]

...........I know what you mean....They ACTUALLY said after the election ....
"there is nothing wrong with the message we just didn't get it across well enough"...


............can you say DELUSIONAL

[LeeVing]

Unless something REALLY terrible happens in the next year and a half, the remaining Republicans are going to have a bad time holding their seats. Hence it does seem that they're hoping something REALLY terrible happens.

There's patriotism for you.

[canobserv]

Yup...yup....you betcha.....fire and brimstone would work...............

A party of the stupid for the stupid........only now they are desperate......

Stupid...desperate people scare me

[StillIRise]

A BIG part of the Republicans' problem is that they don't accept reality. They think that their close-minded worldview is the ONLY reality, and they can't extend themselves beyond their little bubble. I still remember, after the Monica Lewinsky debacle, when Clinton's approval ratings were still high and the majority of Americans rejected the Republicans for their impeachment proceedings. They rationalized this by saying that the American people didn't understand, that once we understood the seriousness of President Clinton's behavior, we'd thank the Republicans for their intervention. This is also similar to their belief that we would be greeted with flowers in Iraq! And, as you've said, they now rationalize Obama's victory by suggesting that we've been tricked! They're delusional, and for a time, a lot of Americans bought into their delusion. But after 8 years of a delusional government, even some of those who bought into it have been forced to see the reality that the Republicans are still hiding from. I don't think this brand of Republicans will ever change.

[judithod]

By 2010, you might want the neocons back after the Iranians, Syrians, and Russians have blocked Obama's free throws!

[judesedit]

Mighty hghly doubtful!