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

[twistedknickers]

LMAO

"Call me a cab." "OK, you're a cab."

[montecarlo408]

I'm beginning to wonder if we are any better than the far right. We complained for 8 years about how Congress voted in lock step with Bush, but now we expect Democrats to do the same. Every Congressman and Senator has constituents to deal with, on top of individual principles. As long as someone has a decent reason to vote against something, I can't really argue with that. I have a problem with "wolfpack" mentalities on either side, that promotes voting like zombies.

[cjt1957]

Of course the Dems controlled congress for the last 2 bush years...

[BruceHNV]

Having a simple majority is not control.

But, nice try.

[rockyersocksoff]

Finally getting the twelve-year-old's foot off the gas pedal is NOT the same as controlling the steering wheel.

[hoopesaz]

Absolutely agree. Party affiliation should serve to help demostrate one's key values, but should NOT dictate one's vote on every issue. Remember, this is the very reason he was essentially run out of the republican party (no, it wasn't really a voluntary move -- he wanted to stay in office and couldn't as a republican).

[SammyD]

Agree. The Republicans did it when they had control and now the Dems are doing it. None of them are considering what is best for the country as a whole. Today's environment continues to divide our country instead of compromising to unite the people. Term limits is porbably the only answer.

[karela]

I agree with you so strongly. Lock step by party affiliation is not democracy. It wasn't good for the country when the republicans did it and it wouldn't be good for the country if we did it. I want people of integrity who study the issues and think of what they believe is best for the country. I trust a lot of minds working hard to do what's right a whole lot more than I trust the leader of either party in the House or Senate just ordering everyone in the party to vote the way they tell them to. Arlen Specter seems like an honorable man to me who is rejecting the far right thinking of the republican party. President Obama says he's a good man with a great track record. I'm going to trust that Obama knows what kind of man he is. I don't want to live in a dictator ship at any level; and I certainly don't want the House or Senate run that way. Give me serious, thinking people who try to do what's right.

[Lark817]

He's still the same old Republican he always was. He just wants the DNC to pay for his next campaign. He can't afford to fight the Republicans and Democrats or he would have become an independent. I think he's served the country long enough and it's time for retirement.

[blues101]

i agree. And seriously..........is there a mental aptitude test or some kind of psychological test that these folks representing us are given to be sure that they are mentally able to make decisions, perform their duties and are not mentally ill? Especially at an advanced age and after so many years at an important job? I've asked this since the Reagan alzheimer's coverup.

[vendetta]

From the posts I've read here, you guys were simply hoping for another "yes man" for Obama. You say the Democrat Party is the the party of "tolerance", but you sure can't tolerate someone breaking from the official party line.

[hegdehog]

Big surprise. Unlike most Democrats, I was not ecstatic when Specter "switched sides". Because I knew that he didn't. He's a fraud and a shameless opportunist and this is the way things are going to go. Specter is still a Republican. He may fool the citizens of Pennsylvania, but he didn't fool me.

[lisak2008]

On Rachel'she show last night, she did a skit where she did an impression of Democrats when they first heard of Specter's defection, she was dancing in her seat. According to her skit, five minutes later, Democrats were like, wait a minute...That's the reaction of my ENTIRE family on Specter, and I continue to have the same feeling.

[nick1936]

Dump this guy in 2010

[Greg White]

Really, he's a bluedog Democrat and just wants to keep his job.
Back a real Democrat or maybe a Independent, not a Republican-lite.

[surfvenice]

lol duh...

he's a republican at heart democrat on paper.

he only switched because his career was on the line. he was down in the polls and his chances of winning in 2010 were slim. shows all politicians are only in it for themselves.

so dont expect specter to be the 60th vote (if and when franklin gets there)

[wbramh]

IF Senator Specter is the Democratic candidate in 2010, don't count on him being much more than a place holder for an Allison Schwartz or a Patrick Murphy or any number of other younger and healthier Democrats.
The President needs Healthcare passed. Specter will support him 100% in the endeavor (and others).
Assuming Senator Specter is healthy enough to campaign in 2010, he will be reelected.
Don't count on him seeking reelection after 2010.
I would also venture the guess that Specter will not try to complete another full term and (if there is still a Democratic governor) will step down to afford an electoral advantage to a young Progressive Turk.

[Peabodies]

Gosh, another DINO (Democrat in Name Only) . As if we needed one more of those! Go have lunch with Joe Lieberman, Senator Specter, and thanks for nothing. I hope Pennsylvanians are watching.

[hoopesaz]

Lieberman is Independant, not Democrat.

[TheFriendlyAtheist]

Why would the dems welcome into the party a man who has promised to filibuster the employee free choice act?

[BruceHNV]

He didn't promise to filibuster it.

[NobodysPoodle]

He's no Democrat. He is just trying to win his next election.

[bibimimi]

Not surprised by this. You can take the boy outta Doucheville...

[foreverleft]

What a difference a day makes. Where did all that love go?

We are stuck with this guy till when, 01/11?

Specter will likely be there for Obama's big ticket items, when we need 60 votes, not 51.

Might not be wise to send him packin' just yet.

[RepublicansRejected]

Exactly, yet no one here gets it...

*sigh*

[jordan3189]

Only you, oh wise one, can show us the way! (SIGH)

[GrkAm]

At LEAST he voted, which is more than I can say for the obstructionist party.

[lisak2008]

Oh, we get it alright.

[RepublicansRejected]

Tonight President Obama stated that Democrats don't agree with him on everything, and that's the way it should be.

Specter proved President Obama correct, yet many of you are talking about Specter toeing the party line and acting like the party he just left.

Aren't we supposed to be the party that is for having your own independent thoughts and not carrying a lockstep voting mentality?

Even with Specter voting no, the budget STILL passed... BIG freaking deal over nothing!

[YourALLZombies]

Hmmm, maybe reps are turning Dem to stay in power.

Think about for a sec, if they all turned Dem, they can get reelected and continue their policies and block Obamas. The average num bskull American just votes party anyway.

Espionage?

Maybe this were there plan all a long?

[RRG64]

They knew it was going to pass with or without his vote. What if they told him to vote no.

[Peabodies]

Yes, Zombies, I have this sick feeling that we aren't getting what we voted for. It's being tarted up, but ain't what I worked for, door to door.