Arlen Specter Switching Parties From Republican To Democrat

Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Penn.) is becoming a Democrat.

"I have decided to run for re-election in 2010 in the Democratic primary," said Specter in a statement. "I am ready, willing and anxious to take on all comers and have my candidacy for re-election determined in a general election."

"Since my election in 1980, as part of the Reagan Big Tent, the Republican Party has moved far to the right. Last year, more than 200,000 Republicans in Pennsylvania changed their registration to become Democrats. I now find my political philosophy more in line with Democrats than Republicans."

The move will give Democrats a filibuster-proof 60 vote majority in the Senate, presuming Minnesota's Al Franken is eventually seated. However, in his statement Specter said his opposition to the Employee Free Choice Act -- widely seen as a defense against a Republican primary challenge -- will not change.

Polls had shown that, despite his shift on EFCA, Specter was on his way to losing his seat if he stayed in the GOP. A Rasmussen survey from last Friday had former U.S. Rep. Pat Toomey beating the Senator by 21 points in the primary.

Sources told the AP that an announcement could come later in the day -- or Wednesday.

Vice President Joe Biden and Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell have urged Specter to switch parties in the past.

President Obama called Specter Tuesday to say Democrats "are thrilled to have you."

Specter's Full Statement:

I have been a Republican since 1966. I have been working extremely hard for the Party, for its candidates and for the ideals of a Republican Party whose tent is big enough to welcome diverse points of view. While I have been comfortable being a Republican, my Party has not defined who I am. I have taken each issue one at a time and have exercised independent judgment to do what I thought was best for Pennsylvania and the nation.

Since my election in 1980, as part of the Reagan Big Tent, the Republican Party has moved far to the right. Last year, more than 200,000 Republicans in Pennsylvania changed their registration to become Democrats. I now find my political philosophy more in line with Democrats than Republicans.

When I supported the stimulus package, I knew that it would not be popular with the Republican Party. But, I saw the stimulus as necessary to lessen the risk of a far more serious recession than we are now experiencing.

Since then, I have traveled the State, talked to Republican leaders and office-holders and my supporters and I have carefully examined public opinion. It has become clear to me that the stimulus vote caused a schism which makes our differences irreconcilable. On this state of the record, I am unwilling to have my twenty-nine year Senate record judged by the Pennsylvania Republican primary electorate. I have not represented the Republican Party. I have represented the people of Pennsylvania.

I have decided to run for re-election in 2010 in the Democratic primary.

I am ready, willing and anxious to take on all comers and have my candidacy for re-election determined in a general election.

I deeply regret that I will be disappointing many friends and supporters. I can understand their disappointment. I am also disappointed that so many in the Party I have worked for for more than four decades do not want me to be their candidate. It is very painful on both sides. I thank specially Senators McConnell and Cornyn for their forbearance.

I am not making this decision because there are no important and interesting opportunities outside the Senate. I take on this complicated run for re-election because I am deeply concerned about the future of our country and I believe I have a significant contribution to make on many of the key issues of the day, especially medical research. NIH funding has saved or lengthened thousands of lives, including mine, and much more needs to be done. And my seniority is very important to continue to bring important projects vital to Pennsylvania's economy.

I am taking this action now because there are fewer than thirteen months to the 2010 Pennsylvania Primary and there is much to be done in preparation for that election. Upon request, I will return campaign contributions contributed during this cycle.

While each member of the Senate caucuses with his Party, what each of us hopes to accomplish is distinct from his party affiliation. The American people do not care which Party solves the problems confronting our nation. And no Senator, no matter how loyal he is to his Party, should or would put party loyalty above his duty to the state and nation.

My change in party affiliation does not mean that I will be a party-line voter any more for the Democrats that I have been for the Republicans. Unlike Senator Jeffords' switch which changed party control, I will not be an automatic 60th vote for cloture. For example, my position on Employees Free Choice (Card Check) will not change.

Whatever my party affiliation, I will continue to be guided by President Kennedy's statement that sometimes Party asks too much. When it does, I will continue my independent voting and follow my conscience on what I think is best for Pennsylvania and America.

Comments

[JRICKEY]

01:02 PM on 05/03/2009

Wow! Another disingenuous politician. What a surprise! He wouldn't have won the primary, so he switches parties rather than stand behind his values. This, unfortunately, is the quality of person we have running our country. And we wonder why things are all screwed up?

[Tugar]

09:54 AM on 05/02/2009

ARLEN SPECTOR DID THE RIGHT THING !

HE'S ALWAYS BEEN FOR THE PEOPLE OF HIS STATE. NO MATTER WHAT NONSENSE HIS REPUB COLLEAGUES WAS UP TO.

SO ALL I CAN SAY IS... WELCOME TO THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY ARLEN, AND YOU HAVE MY SUPPORT !!!

[BeefyT]

08:55 PM on 04/30/2009

Huh?

Arlen Specter was a Republican?!?

[Lachlan Prescott]

03:43 PM on 04/30/2009

The thing is in the United States fewer people identify themselves as a republican so it stands to reason that you have a better change in many district at least and many states of being elected with a D behind your name. But was this about political survival? It absolutely was about political survival. Was it about ideology? It was, Arlen Specter has not changed his views since February, the republican party has not changed it's views since February. In February he told people he wasn't gonna switch party. I think this is pure pragmatic politics.

[zetacplus]

04:49 PM on 04/30/2009

The man is 79 years old. HE NEEDS TO RETIRE. Why do these people continue to serve into their 90s? If anything, there should be a mandatory retirement age for them. It just bothers me that these really old people are making decisions based on old and antiquated ways of thinking when the situation calls for something more modern. I think they should be forced into retirement at 70 at least. The same goes for the president as well, no one should be allowed to run for president past the age of 70. These people are so power hungry it's pathetic.

[miketothad]

02:00 PM on 04/30/2009

One wrong vote, and Specter is OUTTA HERE in 2010.

If I was Michael Steele, I would either defect or resign right now and save my political future.
This would be the perfect time.

[archtoplee]

12:40 PM on 04/30/2009

Arlen Specter says that he is leaving the GOP because the GOP moved too far to the "right."
But has the GOP moved to the "Right?" http://www.jbs.org/index.php/news-feed-archive/4813

.."For many years, the terms liberal and conservative were useful, especially to describe one's views on interpreting the Constitution (loose constructionist versus strict constructionist). However, since the term conservative has been appropriated and abused by the neoconservatives who have gained control of the Republican Party, it, too, has lost its original meaning.

Arlen Specter undoubtedly will feel at home in the Democratic Party, but only because it is a place where his willingness to bend the Constitution requires little pretense. It is the political equivalent of "coming out of the closet," a place where many of his former Republican colleagues still reside — pretending to be "conservative" or "moderate" (whatever those terms mean nowadays), while voting to trash the Constitution.

Voters would do much better in evaluating their elected representatives if they ignored party and spectrum labels entirely and focused exclusively on the Constitution."

[Hillztheone]

05:13 PM on 04/29/2009

Win at any cost......this is change??? Pennsylvania residents, especially those near Philadelphia have little time for Arlen. Remember Ira Einhorn Mr. Spector??? And of course the way you worked over Anita Hill.......you can change parties, but you cannot change the fact that it is time for you to go. How much did it take to "buy" you Mr. Spector? Get used to being addressed as Mister instead of Senator. You will not fool the residents of this great state.

[PamperedHousecat]

02:48 PM on 04/29/2009

I think this is great!
Does anyone remember when the Native American congressman, whose Native name was "Nighthorse" left the Dems and joined the Repubs? It seems he was never heard from again, at least not on the national level.
I don't think this will happen with Sen. Spector. Unlike the Repubs., the Dems have a larger tent.

[curly2]

02:05 PM on 04/29/2009

As a Pennsylvania resident, I'll be curious how this all shakes out. I haven't personally liked this man since he did a hatchet job on Anita Hill. The fact that he tells Polish jokes in public shows how out of touch he is.

Personal feelings aside, welcome Arlen, happy to have you (and the 60th vote you bring).

[Carmichael]

10:27 AM on 04/29/2009

I think what Arlen Specter is not saying, is what most of us already know. I think the hate of the president by the republicans, is something that he can't live with and evidently does not support, that is one of the main reasons why he's switching parties. More kudos for him.

[klandish]

10:52 AM on 04/29/2009

I'm holding my breath until the economy takes an upswing and then watch as the Republicans scramble once again to redefine themselves or tank. I'm hoping tank.

[jpinsatx]

08:34 AM on 04/29/2009

Re: "I will continue my independent voting and follow my conscience". Even though I often disagree with Arlen Specter, his decisions are based on the facts, common sense and The Constitution, not party line emotion. Hopefully, he will continue to be an independent voice of reason for ALL Americans.

[ProudChristian]

08:01 AM on 04/29/2009

Good news, Worth celebrating! - i hope rustic limbaugh's fans start to get the gist!

[mudshark12]

12:43 AM on 04/29/2009

Welcome aboard, Arlen!

[Twentylaws]

12:02 AM on 04/29/2009

Someone's knocking at the door, somebody's ringing the bell, do me a favor? Open the door & let em in (come on Olympia!)
Sister Susan, brother Chuck
Arlen Specter, then there's Joe
let em in-n-n-n yeah

[TMIDGE66]

07:25 AM on 04/29/2009

THE REPUBLICANS CAN STOP CRYING. THEY CAN HAVE JOE LIEBERMAN. NOW THERE IS A STAND UP GUY. I THINK. ER, WHAT DAY IS THIS?

[tmo7734]

11:08 PM on 04/28/2009

The only reason for Spector changing parties was to retain his seat in office. Ideology and principles had nothing to do with it. That said, inching closer to a filibuster-proof Congress is a good thing for the Obama cause.

[Chip W]

04:49 AM on 04/29/2009

In today's world, how can you be so cynical?