McConnell: Specter's Switch A "Threat To The Country" (VIDEO)

Mitch McConnell, leader of a Republican minority that is now even smaller, suggested Tuesday that Sen. Arlen Specter's defection endangered not just the party, but the entire country.

"I think the threat to the country presented by this defection really relates to the issue of whether or not in the United States of America our people want the majority to have whatever it wants without restraint, without a check or a balance," McConnell said Tuesday.

"Obviously, we are not happy that Senator Specter has decided to become a Democrat," McConnell said. "If we are not successful in Minnesota ... Democrats, at least on paper, will have 60 votes. I think the danger of that for the country is that there won't automatically be an ability to restrain the excess that is typically associated with big majorities and single-party rule."

Watch:

Texas Republican Sen. John Cornyn struck a similar note, saying voters in 2010 would have the choice between "potentially unbridled Democrat super-majority versus the system of checks-and-balances that Americans deserve.

The NRSC followed suit, saying "good riddance" to Specter and bashing the former Republican for giving the Democras a "blank check."

Today, Senator Arlen Specter switched his party affiliation to the Democrat Party. I hope you will join me in saying "Good Riddance."

Don't give Democrats a blank check, support the NRCC

While today's party switch underscores how well Specter will fit in with his new Democrat colleagues, this act of political self-interest comes at a very serious cost. If Democrats succeed in stealing the election in Minnesota they will have a filibuster proof majority in the Senate. This would amount to a blank check for Democrats to continue spending trillions of your tax dollars with ZERO accountability.

Story continues below

advertisement

This supposedly was a concern for Specter when last month he stated:

"I am staying a Republican because I think I have an important role, a more important role, to play there. The United States very desperately needs a two-party system. That's the basis of politics in America. I'm afraid we are becoming a one-party system... I think as a governmental matter, it is very important to have a check and balance." - Sen. Arlen Specter, 3/17/09

But like his principles, I guess this no longer applies.

Don't give Democrats a blank check, support the NRCC

Now, your support for House Republicans matters more than ever. Since taking power in 2007, Democrats have worsened the culture in Washington, while strapping this country with trillions in new debt and crushing tax hikes on all Americans.

Remember, it was the House Republicans who stood in unison to oppose the so-called "stimulus" and the budget.

Don't give Democrats a blank check, support the NRCC

Now more than ever, it is important to elect principled, fiscally responsible Republicans. Help us send Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, and Arlen Specter a message by supporting the NRCC as we work to elect Republicans like you and me.

Thank you for your continued support.

Sincerely,

Guy Harrison, Executive Director

P.S. Americans deserve Representatives who put principles first. Please support the NRCC as we work to rid Washington of self-interested Democrats like Nancy Pelosi and turncoats like Arlen Specter.

Become a fan of HuffPost Politics on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter.

Comments

[retromega]

Who's this "we" this distinguished Senator is refering to in Minnesota. We who are residents of this state are more than a little sick and tired of some Kentucky Jowls asserting Their right and duty to represent the people of Minnesota.

It would be a hell of a lawsuit to sue these meatheads on behalf of the people of Minnesota for their denying the citizens of Minnesota the equal protection of the U.S. Constituiton by any frivolous lawsuits in Federal court implying one man has been denied equal protection by losing an election.

If they are thinking that Coleman will get a free ride from the US Supremes they may want to review that decision. That decision is not on point with anyone but Franken. But we the people are still do not have our elected representative permitted to do his job. We just appear to have a craven bunch of politicians with no respect for democratic principles. Now the only job Coleman will ever be elected to in Minnesota is a new position we are trying to add by amendment to our State constitution. It will probably be filled by write in votes only, and will pay next to nothing. Tenatively it is called State Sewage expert and is a honorary position for the politician most comfortable living in sewage. Right now Coleman is a hands down favorite but our Gov. is expected to make a hard run for the office soon.

[damebee]

Mitch McConnell, divorced his wife in 1993, three children during Viernam developed an optic nerve could be cured in 5 to 8 weeks however was given a deferment Married Elaine Chao who was appointed as secretary of labor and is considered the "dragon lady" of the chinese cause, makes you wonder why they hate their own!

[Goliadkin]

The right often talks about the Democratic domination in Congress and the WH as "single-party rule," and thus falsely equates it with dictatorship, as in the regimes of Stalin and Mao. In Russia and China, "single-party rule" meant that the ruling party outlawed all other parties. Of course, that is sheer totalitarianism. But that's very different from our current situation, in which, as the outcome of our democratic process, one party has simply lost all appeal for the voters. The Republicans aren't illegal, they're just unlovable! Practically speaking, there is nothing to bar them from a resurgence, except their own fixed ideas.

PS: A 2002 article on CNN Money stated, "Since 1900, Republicans have been in control of both houses of Congress and the presidency three times for a total of 23.8 years -- or 25.8 including the past two years with a legislative majority." I doubt they ever raised any concerns about "single-party rule" or "checks and balances" when they were in command!

[Drewbai]

Arlen Specter man of the hour
switching parties and shifting power
"I no longer support their philosophy"
He's more in sync with Obama, you see

He leaves his chair to cross the aisle
surprising the party rank and file
GOP is no place for moderate leaning,
Reagan's "big tent" has lost its meaning.

"Arlene Specter is causing distress"
Mitch O'Connell says to the press.
He plays the fear card oh so well -
America embracing a one-party hell

"Now the democrats have control!"
Falwell prays for the collective soul
Beck is quick to join the chorus,
his guest today is wacky Chuck Norris.

Listen close - you can hear Palin shout;
"Um, who's that guy they're talkin about?"
Hannity revs up the Fox machine,
"Specter's a lefty - he's always been"

King Rush takes to the air,
words spoken softly with care;
"TAKE MCCAIN WITH YOU, ARLEN SPECTER!"
Rush not happy with the recent defector

Dick Cheney will soon take the stage,
always happy to express his rage.
Democrats smiling and fighting the urge
to wallow in the Republican purge

The Grand Old Party it sadly seems
exists only in Lincolns dreams.
Membership down to 20 percent,
that they're in trouble is evident.

As long they keep shouting "NO",
the Republican party will shrink and not grow
That's what they get for being out dated,
Irrelevancy is what they've been fated

[damebee]

I will never forgive Arlen Specter for the nailingt on the cross ofd Anita Hill if you wanted an African American in the Supreme Court she was more qualified than Clarence Thomas

[superhifan]

Absolutely amazing. Republicans ran up the worst deficit in history, started two wars, lied to the American people; and they say Democrats are dangerous. Republicans went from berserk to jerks. As functional idiots, they continuously demean Hispanics, the one group they need to help them in 2010 and beyond. I don't understand why they don't get that Americans see them as bullies spouting a hate message that I don't believe they will recover from. The republican brand is on it's last leg. It is no longer the party of thinkers and doers, but a party of imbeciles returning to their own vomit.

What must the party do to redeem itself:

1. Shut the frick up and listen.
2. Denounce Rush Limbaugh, Hannity, Beck, Coultre and those who think like them
3. Govern from the middle-right
4. Stop being the party of "No"
5. Acknowledge that you guys screwed up; what you don't acknowledge, you can't change
6. Take Spector's defection as a wake-up call
7. Stop using code words like "purification" of the party.
8. Stay on message. A great salesman knows that you sell people what they want, not want they don't want.
9. Stop the name calling;
10. Add value to the republican brand by telling us what you plan to do to make things better.
11. Know your audience. The "base" is not your audience, you already have them. Figure out what needs to get done to attract others; electing Steele was not it.

[damebee]

I actually have a better solution commit HARI KARI whicxh they are now doing on the other hand get on your goddam knees and ask this country for forgivemess for what you have wrought

[hollyglightly123]

But it wasn't a threat when they controlled the House, Senate, White House & had a conservati­ve-leaning Supreme Court? Then, everything was OK, right?

Wake up! Take a look at the reality of demographics, what people want, and TRY to incorporate those into your party. It's the only way you'll come back. Otherwise, you don't have a prayer.

[tippydog11]

roman empire did the same fear mongering statements to its people to control them --it fell...

[batmanindy]

mcConnel stated: "I think the threat to the country presented by this defection really relates to the issue of whether or not in the United States of America our people want the majority to have whatever it wants without restraint, without a check or a balance,".

First off, yes, majority does rule -- government should do what the majority of citizens wants government to do. It is time to set ideology aside and do the will of the people!

Secondly, let us not forget that boosh sued signing statement about a thousand times in 8 years so that he could justify interpreting laws of Congress however he so chose to interpret them. As such, where were the checks and balances if boosh just ignored the laws anyway?

Biggest issue here -- set ideology aside and do the will of the people. You get out of control, just as boosh/cheney and the cabal did, and WE THE PEOPLE will be the check and balance and vote you out and someone else in just as it occurred in 2008.

[damebee]

McConnel has no right to talk about anything, family values, he dumped his qife who gave him three children, married a woman thirty years younger and than put her in as secretary of labor whom the world hated

[TheLar]

The biggest threat to the country is a lack of diverse ideas to choose from. Since the GOP has zero ideas, they are worthless. We need competing good ideas. GOP = FAIL.

[Chrisallalone]

Boy, I'm sure glad that Republican leaders like Cornyn are suddenly all about "the checks and balances that Americans deserve." Better late than never, huh, guys?

[damebee]

Cronyn where was he on checks and balances during "BUSH BABIES" years, give me a break too little too late at the table and you think he's great? He sat by and let his administration hand out all these tax cuts, you failed my boy go to the back and hide your face in shame!

[OhComeOnNow]

The biggest threat to the country is the GOP "leadership".

[PresidentRobertBooth]

It's obvious that the Republican Party have only one ideology left.

Fearmongering.


Everything they stand for is based on trying to convince people about some vague undefined and unrealistic danger.

Evolution- "It will lead to materialism and the Holocaust!!!!"

Regulation - "The government will take over businesses!!!"

Healthcare - "The first step towards Communism!!!!"

Gay Marriage - "This will end heterosexual marriage!!!!"

Diplomacy - "The president makes us look weak and encourages our enemies!!!!"

Climate Change - "It's all about BIG Science taxing you to oblivion"

They've got nothing else.

[k6007]

Spot on!

[gloriousbeing]

"I think the threat to the country presented by this defection really relates to the issue of whether or not in the United States of America our people want the majority to have whatever it wants without restraint, without a check or a balance," McConnell said Tuesday.
Hmmmm, yeah, wasn't that big of a problem when the GOP had the majority..­..HYPOCRIT­E!

[JRsNana]

And since when does the Republican party give a good god darn about checks and balances and blank checks? I notice when they had full control of Congress and the White House THAT didn't seem to be anything but all good news. Where was all the outrage then? Huh?

[damebee]

As far as I am concerned they should all get a job for public service and never deign to enter into politics again, they never got it nor will they ever get it their is no public good in their vocabulary!

[huffy2001]

LOL...I am remembering a quote...I don't remember who, maybe David Gergen...a couple of years into the Bush 43 presidency and pug dominance of Congress, "The Republicans have been claiming for a half century that govt doesn't work, and it only took them two years to prove it."

[damebee]

How about they only wanted to work for them?

[huffy2001]

"I think the threat to the country presented by this defection really relates to the issue of whether or not in the United States of America our people want the majority to have whatever it wants without restraint, without a check or a balance,"

So where was all the alarm when it was the Repugs with unbridled control? Methinks I smell a rat.