Obama Welcomes Specter To Party At White House

President Obama and Vice President Biden joined former Republican Senator Arlen Specter at a press conference on Wednesday morning, welcoming him to the Democratic party.

Biden introduced the Pennsylvania senator, saying it gave him "great pleasure to officially be in the same caucus as Arlen Specter ... it's just a delight."

Specter pronounced himself "ready willing and anxious to take on all comers in the general election" and restated that he would not be an "automatic sixtieth vote" for Senate Democrats. But he told Obama he thought he could "be of assistance to you" and that "you have projected an administration that I have felt very comfortable with."

On Tuesday, President Obama called Specter to tell him "you have my full support" and we are "thrilled to have you," according to a White House aide.

"Thank you so much," Obama said. "I'm thrilled to have Arlen in the Democratic caucus, I have told him he will have my full support in the Democratic primary." He said he and Biden were fully confident that Specter will win a new term, and that the people of Pennsylvania "will be better off for it."

Obama diverged briefly to speak about the swine flu crisis, addressing the first United States death as a result of the virus. The president sent his condolences to the family of the victim and urged local health agencies around the country to be vigilant and help national authorities track the disease. He also said that schools where the virus has broken out should strongly consider temporarily closing.

The president brought his remarks back to Specter, crediting him with increasing funding for public health and calling him "one tough hombre."

"Today I have the honor of standing next to the newest Democratic from the state of Pennsylvania," Obama said. "I don't expect Senator Specter will agree with every decision I make, and support every one of those policies." He said he didn't expect Specter, or any other senator, to be a "rubber stamp." He added that Specter's move reflected his vision of an administration not driven by one ideology. "I'm eager to receive his counsel and advice, especially when he disagrees, and I have great respect and admiration for the decision he has made."

Advisers told the AP that was the first Obama had heard that Specter was switching parties, though they left open the possibility that White House officials, if not Obama himself, knew in recent days that a change was possible.

Democratic officials privately credited Biden, the former Delaware senator who is close to Specter both personally and professionally, and his persistent prodding through the years with helping create a comfortable, welcoming environment for the five-term Pennsylvania senator to make the change. Obama hinted at this role himself on Wednesday, saying he was "grateful" to the Vice President for having so many conversations with Specter on the train to Washington.

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Comments

[DemocratHater]

01:47 AM on 05/05/2009

Come on dlckhead! No need for that kind of language.

[stell]

10:36 AM on 05/03/2009

The only one worse than Specter is Sestak. Specter is NOT a reliable vote for Democrats, he's just begging for another six year term. Why would Democrats want another Lieberman?

[LCLA]

09:52 PM on 04/30/2009

I am really pleased that Senator Specter's defection will give the Democrats and President Obama a theoretically filibuster proof majority. However, I have long felt that changing parties after election constitutes election fraud and should trigger a new election for that office. I still feel that way, even though in this case it works in favor of the positions I generally prefer.

[IDIKO]

06:12 PM on 04/29/2009

I can see a long line of "I- WANT- TO -LEAVE -REPUBLICAN -MESS -PARTY, it is now slow ,it will soon be a flood. REST.IN.PIECES. GRAND OLD PARTY.

[chicagoexpat]

06:08 PM on 04/29/2009

This move hurts the Republicans (as if they need it) far more than it helps the Democrats.

We can only hope that Specter's obvious lack of principles translates into a massive shift in his voting habits, but I ain't holding my breath.

Specter switching parties is Toomey's best chance to get elected in the general election. Specter is a 79 year old 5 term incumbent, & those types usually lose.

Specter may be the only Democrat that Toomey can beat... while conversely, Toomey may be the only general election opponent Specter can beat.

http://loomisnews.wordpress.com/2009/04/29/arlen-specter-to-join-the-wu-tang-clan/

[kevenseven]

06:14 PM on 04/29/2009

I don't see your reasoning at all.

Not at all.

Specter will beat Toomey like a rented mule in the general.

[StillIRise]

06:21 PM on 04/29/2009

I agree.

[eliasboudit]

05:44 PM on 04/29/2009

apparently Sestack is still planning to make a run in 2010

Is someone gonna stop him? lol good luck

[WhatDaBleep]

04:17 PM on 04/29/2009

Do you know what this really is? It is Republicans trying to save Face! They will not vote for whatever Obama wants but they cannot afford to let Obama fail - so they offer up a sacrificial lamb (Specter) who will give Obama what he needs to run the country ( 60 Votes in the Senate) without making the Republicans look like the Obstructionists they are, and, thus saving the Republican party from assured meltdown and failure under Rush Limbaugh's Stalinist leadership.

Just more HYPOCRITE actions from Republicans.

[kevenseven]

06:15 PM on 04/29/2009

Wow. I wish I was a limber as you.

[dontvote4him]

03:58 PM on 04/29/2009

Wasn't he a Democract in 1965?

[gladys46]

04:01 PM on 04/29/2009

Yes.

[mauibob]

02:51 PM on 04/29/2009

Will all this praise for Spector still be around when he votes against the card check rule? By getting spector, the democrats are getting another Lieberman. We all know how much he is loved in the democratic party don't we?

[mrgoodbar]

03:11 PM on 04/29/2009

They both voted for the stimulus, so at least they are not sheep of the NO Party.

[markytex]

03:24 PM on 04/29/2009

they are the NOse of the sheep.

[mauibob]

03:48 PM on 04/29/2009

The stimulus bill was passed over 2 months ago and Obama and the democrats, along with the rinos, said it was for "shovel ready" projects. The total unemployed is at its highest right now with the numbers just released. The GDP fell 6.1% last month, the highest in over a year, and well above the 4.6% estimate by the Obama administration when they passed this bill. This was not a stimulus package as the republicans pointed out that voted against it, but a major surge in federal spending that will never be paid back or reduced. I feel sad for where this country is headed and blame the rinos more than the democrats.

[kevenseven]

03:15 PM on 04/29/2009

Who is praising Spector?

I see people gloating at the Rethug loss.

I see puritans whinging about the seat remaining with a moderate.

I see tr0ll spinning as to why this is bad for the Dems.

I see very little praise of Spector himself.

[mauibob]

03:41 PM on 04/29/2009

You won't get any praise from me. I'm glad he's gone. Please take Snowe ASAP.

[gladys46]

03:59 PM on 04/29/2009

I praise Sen Specter for the years of hard work he did for PA ! Party be dismissed when the people are being served ... that's what a representative is supposed to do, represent the people ! Repub or Dem .. but as we know and as Specter stated the repub "Party" is abrasive to his philosophies and, he wanted to continue working on those issues of interest to the people, such as health care ! So, he's a good chess player ... and !???

[Tulka2]

02:27 PM on 04/29/2009

Specter began his career as a Democrat. The delighted look on Obama's face tickles me. When the prodigal son returns home in the Bible. How does the father react? Something like, "Kill the fatted calf. We are having a PARTY!"

[Tkevan]

04:48 PM on 04/29/2009

That fatted calf is the people who are paying your tab. When they are all gone, who will pay then?

[ObamAtomic]

02:20 PM on 04/29/2009

More defection in the horizon. :)

[Bronxdude]

03:02 PM on 04/29/2009

Rumor has it Rush is next!

[ObamAtomic]

03:59 PM on 04/29/2009

No! not welcome!

[Quaoar]

07:22 PM on 04/29/2009

Snowe, Collins, and Schwarzenegger?

[AtomicMan]

02:13 PM on 04/29/2009

How does this work? This guy was elected by folks as a Republican, and now he's a Democrat.

Aside from the whole fillibuster proof senate with Stewart Smalley coming in shortly, can't his constituents make some sort of stink about this?

[gavrielle]

02:24 PM on 04/29/2009

Why would they? His constituents are the entire population of Pennsylvania. Most of whom are Democrats and Independents who approve of the switch.

[kevenseven]

02:31 PM on 04/29/2009

The "guy" was elected to serve as a senator. That has not changed.

He gets plenty of votes from Democrats. And he will be getting lots more next year.

As for people making a stink, sort of like you do around here, they can vote for somebody else in the Dem primary or in the general.

Sort of like in a republic. You know.

[Tulka2]

02:36 PM on 04/29/2009

(... let us remember how many times your revered avatar switched parties for the good of his career ... and England.)

[AtomicMan]

02:37 PM on 04/29/2009

the bitterness and sarcasm is strong in this one. A simple explanation would have sufficed

[Fremon]

01:59 PM on 04/29/2009

While this is good for the Democrats at this point, I would like to see the people of PA support a true Democrat for the Senate. Raise monies for those who have served the cause and not one who is worried about his/her seat. As the old saying goes "don't get between a persons convictions and their paycheck (read seat)". We have established that there is no morality in political office so lets not add to that. Specter is a pure opportunist and only became a Democrat because the polls said he was going to lose. It doesn't matter what the Club for Growth was doing. It was Specter's call to make before. After all, it is not that he can now claim he "came to Jesus" because he was young and callow. He is 79!.

[kevenseven]

02:13 PM on 04/29/2009

Would you like to see the people of PA elect the reactionary the thugs are going to nominate?

Spector became a Dem because the thugs are purging their ranks. There is room for him among the Dems. He is by no means the most conservative Dem senator.

[editorjuno]

02:36 PM on 04/29/2009

We'll get our "true Democrat" Senator when old Arlen is dead and gone -- in the meantime, enjoy the coming super majority.

[eliasboudit]

01:55 PM on 04/29/2009

UPDATE FROM LOCAL PA NEWS:

It seems that most folk in the Lehigh Valley area will not back Spector because they feel he is a sell out because of his selfishness. The Lehigh Valley for those of you who do not know is a melting pot where people vote the PERSON. In 2004 people had Kerry and Spector signs all over lawns - which showed voters here do not sheepishly go down the line.

Many are very disappointed that Spector would sell out just to keep his seat and not run to REPRESENT them as he has done and promised to do.

Bottom line from the report - people do not TRUST his intentions or him now because he proved himself to be out for Arlen - HENCE the new nickname people are calling him.

BENEDICT ARLEN

Arlen would have done better to run the primary instead of acting like a child and making himself look untrustworthy as to his intentions.

Funny thing, Arlen still has to go against Toomey anyways!

[doctorwang]

02:01 PM on 04/29/2009

got a link to that poll...or did you just make it up?

[kevenseven]

02:14 PM on 04/29/2009

He had to fish it out of the toilet before he could read it.

[ObamAtomic]

02:22 PM on 04/29/2009

Disseminating your propaganda eh!

[LEX MOSHER]

01:55 PM on 04/29/2009

WoW! Even Biden wanted Specter to shut up.