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

[StillMadMatt]

Well at least he is not a sycophant!!!

[curmudgeon3]

The U. S. Senate is still listing Specter as a Republican.

See for yourself at:

http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=111&session=1&vote=00173

[curmudgeon3]

Re: my preceding comment --

My apologies for misspelling Arlen Specter's last name.

Must have been a matter of subconsciously confusing him with Phil Spector.

[Cybersquirt]

the two could not be more different.­..

[curmudgeon3]

Supposedly, Rendell has guaranteed Spector that he will not be challenged for the Democratic nomination for U. S. Senator in 2010.

Spector now calls himself a Democrat, but continues to vote Republican.

Spector runs as a Democrat against Toomey (Republifascist Party) in 2010.

Pennsylvania voters have a choice between a conservative Republican (disguised as a Democrat) and an absolute flaming wingnut Republican.

Having no real choice (O.K., the Green Party may get a few votes), Democrats in Pennsylvania will have no other option than to choose the lesser of two evils -- Spector.

The Republicans have to be absolutely salivating over this prospect.

[Montgriz]

As much as I loathe what the GOP has become, I loathe the way Spector is facing his up coming election..­.is there no shame in Washington, any more? This guy is no Democrat..­..he is an opportunist just like Hillary...­.what is it about serving in Washington DC that twists people's minds so much they never want to leave.....­.perhaps, we need an ammendment outlawing the use of air conditioning in the capitol...­...and limiting "free speech" cash contributions to be spent only in the home states....

[MsLiz]

If Specter votes for cloture, therefore allowing a vote on a bill, he can then vote yea or nay as he prefers. We just need him to avoid filibusters.

[PhilipTaylor]

Specter has been bought by BIG BUSINESS!

Arlene Specter PAC Funds for his Campaign shows

For every $1 from Labor he gets $6 from Business! That is why he will not help with CARD CHECK!

PAC Money For Specters Campaign:

Business $6,294,600
Labor $1,045,609

Corporate/Lobby Money:

WS Bank Securities & Investment $1,590,118
Health Professionals $1,512,140
Real Estate $1,506,595
Lobbyists $1,039,309
Insurance $1,020,130
Pharmaceut­icals/Heal­th Products $1,017,216
Hospitals/Nursing Homes $834,668
Business Services $658,841
Misc Finance $544,951
Commercial Banks $477,624
Oil & Gas $436,128

Check it out for any Member of Congress:

http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/pacs.php?cycle=Career&cid=N00001604

[mlaiuppa]

So he's become a Blue Dog Democrat. What's the difference?

[MsLiz]

Specter has been neutered.

[Wide Stance]

That PA Democratic primary should be interesting.

[JZ735]

OOOOPS!

[doug108]

More Dems!! Give us more Dems!!!!

[platanoman]

Here, here......­.......... Enough with these DINOs and RINOs.

[loki]

Sphincter is still a rethug. Wolves in sheep clothing, are still wolves.

[LeftTexas]

Real Dems in PA must be pi ssed!

[doug108]

That the DNC won't back an actual progressive? Yeah.

[JZ735]

This is not surprising­...if Obama expected him to be a rubber stamp, he had another thing coming...a­s others are saying, Specter thinks only of one thing: himself...­in many ways, he isn't too different from Obama...

[toochie]

Or any other politician

[pepperdude]

WOULDN'T IT BE GREAT IF BAYH OR NELSON LEFT THE DEMS AND BECAME REPUBS. AFTER ALL, THEY ARE TRULY REPUBS. THEN POLITICS WOULD BE VERY INTERESTING.

[Oldtt]

Arlen Spector stated his reasons for switching parties, which mostly centered around his refusal to be driven out of the Senate by GOP conservatives in the primary. He remains the same man, and is not going to fall in line with Harry Reid or Barack Obama on all things. His switch has the benefit of retaining a moderate Republican who may often vote with Democrats rather than replacing him with a conservative Republican who will always be in the opposition. He does not provide a 60 vote majority.

[JZ735]

You are spot on...the media tried to say Specter's defection from GOP was a victory for Obama...fa­r from it.

[Rog49Thomas]

If the RP nominates Loony Tooney, a Democrat may well win.

As was shown by ex-Senator Rick Santorum.

We need some real Democrats in the DP. Not retreaded opportunistic Republicans.

[DemVet]

Can anyone spell Arlen Lieberman?