New Dem Specter Votes No On Obama's Budget

It didn't take long for Sen. Arlen Specter to let his new colleagues in the Democratic Party know that his vote won't be taken for granted.

A day after abandoning the Republican Party for the Democrats, saying the latter better represented his political philosophy, Specter voted against President Obama's budget -- which he and other Democrats have described as a manifestation of the party's political philosophy.

Specter was greeted warmly by his new fellow party members on his way into the chamber.

"Welcome," said Sen. Carl Levin (D-Mich.), extending his hand when he saw Specter exit the elevator.

Specter was joined in his opposition to the president by the entire GOP. Not a single Senate Republican voted to support the budget. Sen. Ben Nelson, a conservative Democrat from Nebraska, also voted no. It passed 53-43.

Ryan Grim is the author of the forthcoming book This Is Your Country On Drugs: The Secret History of Getting High in America

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Comments

[Tyler-Durden]

Arlen switched for ONE REASON. He even said it in his press conference:

"there's no way I could win a republican primary". He is only concerned with keeping his cushy job. This man is a phony.

[harriscrl3]

Boy Democrats can't seem to catch a break. We may have another Lieberman in our midst. On the bright side he is behaving like a democrat you know those Dino Dems that feel like its in their interest to vote against a Democratic President.

He needs to be careful because if he is running on the Dem ticket for re-election and he is passing up on the budget of a democratic President. Who exactly is that suppose to appeal to. Pres Obama can't help you if you dont help yourself. You wont be able to take credit for bringing jobs and stimulus to your state if you didnt vote for the budget. Keep taking it for granted that Democrats will vote for you because Obama practically endorse you.

Pres Obama needs to rethink throwing his weight behind this guy cause he is starting to look like a sinking ship.

Carol

[espressobeans]

The old Arlen Specter said a lot of good things and then almost always voted in sharp contrast -- with the Republicans. If that is the style of the new Arlen Specter, I hope the votes in Pennsylvania see right through his conversion.

[AndThenOneDay]

Talk about over-paying for a player who doesn't make your team better.

[Elabacki]

Makes one wonder if he could of gotten re-elected in Penn as a Rep., would he have switched?

[toochie]

In a word...NO

[Mauiloa]

Hmmmm. Is Specter a Trojan Horse? Is his plan to simply keep his seat but continue to vote with the GOP on every vote?

I guess we'll see. But I wouldn't put it past any politician to do just this for political expediency.

[Rojellio]

There should be a lot more Democrats voting NO on this monster. There is very little {if any} constituent support for the amount of spending, and the burden this debt will have on our great grandchildren. Senators & Congressman are supposed to represent their constituents, not be a rubber stamp for their Party.

If Obama was serious about all that talk of fiscal responsibility, and cutting the deficit he would vote NO.

I limit every politician to 2 terms with my vote. Wise up people, this is what happens when politician creatures spend too long in Washington.

[sherbug]

Oh stop with your talking points. If you have an opinion on the budget then please state your opinion, but all the burden on our great grandchildren crap is just a talking point. How can anyone predict what will be the state of this country or the world by the time our great grandchildren are of age.

During this time of severe crisis, we need jobs and affordable healthcare so that we can survive in the here and the now. Moreover, fiscal irresponsibility was started by G.W. Bush as he sqandered the surplus that he was given.

[crazyv]

to give people a tax cut that we have to borrow is nothing but pandering of the worst kind.. Obama talks a great deal about responsibility but what sacrifice has he asked of any American?

Your language "we need jobs and affordable healthcare" ---- WE need it so give it to us.
Irrespective of the state of the economy in the future, the money we borrow now to meet our needs will be paid for by future generations. An argument can be made for the infrastructure investments- we will leave them the debt and the infrastructure- but borrowing for consumption completely immoral!

[lcdbsez]

This is the same guy who dreamed up the Magic Bullet Theory in the JFK assassination case -- go figure.

Maybe, one day, Specter will just go away . . . I used to think the same thing about Bill C, too . . . always hopeful, tho.

[toochie]

The two of them are like Jason and Freddy. The keep coming back after you thought they perished.

[Pjnpurcell]

Can someone please help me out (as an Australian)? If Sen. Specter gets elected next time as the Democratic Senator for Mass., will he therefore be the JUNIOR Senator?

[Pjnpurcell]

Sorry, Penn.

[sherbug]

No. He has cut a deal so that he retains his seniority. He wants a chairmanship.

[395spoons]

This link will answer your question:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/04/29/reids-specter-deal-dem-se_n_193182.html

[Pjnpurcell]

Thanks, everybody, for the advice.Personally, I don't think he should be allowed to bulldoze his way into anything, due to the Dems giving him a lifeline to remain in the Senate after 2010.

[Doofus]

It's almost as if Joe Lieberman's 'party of one' has now become a
'party of two'. For Specter, and PA, it could well be a short term fix,
as next year they are very likely to elect either a conservative Repo
or a progressive Demo to replace him. That Specter could not even
bring himself to vote for the President's budget is most pathetic.

[remedy]

I find this deal of switching because he dont want to loose an election pretty pathetic. Even more i think Obama and Biden thinking they can count on Mr Magic bullet man shows their lapse of good thought. Cant wait to see if this career politician votes for anything the POTUS wants. It is time for us to demand term limits. The only way to end this culture of making policy for money is to demand term limits. Specter said he didnt want to have his 29 years in office determined by the far right wing of the Republician party. That statement says it all, it is exactly what has brought us close to ruins. Politicians should not be allowed to stay in congress that long. They simply pass laws that later effect their investments.

[simplify]

He is trying to have it both ways and that strategy wont work. You are either with us or lose the election Arlen

[Macready]

I hope he won't turn into another lieberman . . . or was "his change of party" a game??

we don't need more blue dog Dems in Congress

[dollyfedup]

They are definitely playing chess. As a democrat, I thought it was a brilliant move by specter to vote against Obama's budget.

Specter, Obama, and Biden know which issues they want, need, and can count on a vote from specter. Healthcare, energy and several others. They don't expect him to completely abandon his republican principles because that would make him really look opportunistic and hypocritical and just trying to kiss up to the party in Power.

As long as he votes on healthcare and energy that's all that matters to Obama. I briefly heard Obama mention at his press conference that by Arlen switching it gives him the opportunity to vote on the things that he agree with the administration on without being pressured by the GOP.

I'm sure Pres. Obama knows all the moves Arlen is planning on making for his policies. Sit back and lets enjoy the show. Watch the GOP go into obscurity.!!!!

[Cybersquirt]

there was no "chess move" involved here. He voted 'no' before and did so again.

[ladycubsfan]

Well, well, well...what have we here? A bandwagon fan? Jump on board with the winning team in the late innings, or fourth quarter, or whatever....and then have the gall to try to play cheerleader for your old (has-been, bunch of losers) team?
Sorry. Not gonna work. Thanks for playing!