Specter Won't Back Public Health Care Or Employee Free Choice Act (VIDEO)

Democrats eager to see what kind of Senator Arlen Specter would be now that he has left the Republican Party likely weren't counting their blessings after watching his appearance on "Meet the Press" this Sunday.

The Pennsylvanian, while insisting that his switch in party affiliation was driven as much by values as politics, nevertheless came out forcefully against two of progressives' most cherished policies.

On the Employee Free Choice Act, which would allow for easier unionization, Specter strongly suggested -- as he did during the speech announcing his party switch -- that he would support a filibuster of the legislation. "I'm still against that bill," he said. "Democrats are all for it. Republicans are all against it. I'm the critical vote. If I see that there are other issues where I feel a matter of conscience, I will continue a filibuster against legislation."

On a public option for health insurance -- which conservatives claim will end the private market, but most observers say could bring down the costs of coverage for millions of Americans -- Specter said he would be in opposition. "That's what I said and that's what I meant," he added later, when asked if he would vote "no" on public health care.

At several other points, Specter did lay out areas in which he had "diverged materially from the Republican line," including raising the minimum wage, the stimulus package and abortion rights. But he went to great lengths to insist that he did not, as reported, tell Democratic leadership or the White House that he would be a loyal party member.

"I did not say," he told host David Gregory, "I would be a loyal Democrat. I did not say that."

Perhaps the strongest evidence of where Specter's sentiments currently lie came when he lamented the fact that, because the GOP lacked a Senate majority from 2006 through 2008, "34 Republican judges" were "left on the table unconfirmed."

"The [conservative] Club for Growth has undertaken campaigns to defeat moderate Republicans in the primaries knowing that they would lose in the general election. Take one case that was slightly different on procedure and that was Linc[oln] Chafee. The Club for Growth beat Linc Chafee, made him spend his money on the primary," Specter explained. "Had Linc Chaffee been elected in 2006, the Republican Party would have controlled the Senate in 2007 and 2008 and would have confirmed 34 Republican judges which were left on the table unconfirmed. I think that my colleague senator Olympia Snowe had it right in her New York Times op-ed piece, that you have to have a big tent."

Watch:

Comments

[Shzron1946]

You ae so funny. Democrats are allowed to think differently from each other, unlike Republicans. It is so interesting watching you sit there and claim to be a Democrat while hoping Republicans will still respect you. As Democrats, we sometimes have to hold our noses, because big tents can allow in some real stinkers.

"But tebb be this, Mr. Specter. Will you at least cobbit to being a loyal AMERICAN?" (asked through a held nose...)

[Demo4Life]

Maybe it will be a good thing. There are both good and bad stances from both of the Republican and Democratic parties and he might represent the good out of both.

[Progress08]

If he wants to screw us on EFCA and Public Healthcare then he's no democrat at all. We can run someone better against him, he'd better start showing up as a Democrat. I don't even live in PA, but I'll throw all my lunch money and extra cash at your democratic opponent.

[Pquilson]

Odd, isn't it? Specter will not support EFCA. Democrats in the Senate are not happy about the deal Specter received from Reid regarding his seniority. They, the Senators, want to use a secret ballot to deny his seniority, but want "workers" to be forced into EFCA. I am no supporter of Arlen Specter, but I do agree with his position on this matter.

[FlamingLibrul]

Let's hope the Democratic party holds onto its spine, and is seeking advice from Dr. Howard Dean on how to jettison the deadweight they've suddenly been saddled with. What a hoax the self-serving dinosaur from Pennsylvania has perpetrated on us all.

[lilymarie14]

He wants support from Democratic voters without supporting Democratic issues. Sounds like a win/win.

For him anyway.

[mickeydougal]

"I did not say," he told host David Gregory, "I would be a loyal Democrat."

Gee, Benedict Arlen, I doubt anyone suspected you might be loyal to, well, anything.

[PAposter]

Ed Rendell for Senate for the Great State of Pennsylvania.

[DCDemInsider]

Ed pledged he will finish his term as governor and besides that, maybe you noticed...he has already ENDORSED his od friend and boss, Alen Specter, for the job.

So, Id say theres like zero chance of that.

[PAposter]

Isn't his term up next year? I think his old friend might be a place holder.

[KansAmerican]

Senator Spector was a Democrat many long years ago and reregistered as a Republican. Now he becomes a Democrat again. To change, he demanded and was given the promise of important committee assignments as though his had always been a Demorat while in the Senate. It was a huge error for the Democrat leaders to agree to this condition. He will be no more an asset to the Democrats than Joe Lieberman and probably less. I hope he losses by a big margin in his primary race, if he even tries to get the nomination.

[DCDemInsider]

exactly, Obamas pledge to Specter is the big problem here.

He must stay out of the primary.

[Yurdelite]

Typical republican.t--thinks Dems and Independents, like their base, are stupid.

[1dogs2]

Specter destroyed whatever good will Democrats might have had for him when he announced yesterday that he was ENTITLED to keep his seniority because he had EARNED it, and that he would NOT support the administration's health care reform. I suspect that he will find himself facing a strong primary challenge despite support from the WH. Independence is one thing; prima dona performances are another.

[dbw53022]

Wouldn't the prudent DNC position examine his actual record before deciding to help fund his re-election? I suspect that he made no promises to the Democrats when he switched parties and the Democratic Party made no promises to him.

If he consistently votes against Democratic bills, then the DNC should withdraw all support from him and he could try to run as an independent. He wants to have his cake and eat it too.

Let HIS actions determine his fate.

[damury]

"Let HIS actions determine his fate"

Is that not how it should be?

[DCDemInsider]

Obamas pledge to Specter is the big problem here.

[SethBLiNK]

If Arlen Spector isn't going to be a loyal Democrat, there is little reason for Democrats to be loyal to him. He's getting a lot for his switch. Not just coverage, but also he gets to be a member of the majority party and he gets to run in a primary where he has a chance. These things shouldn't come for free. To say he won't back every democratic position is one thing. To outright say he won't be loyal is another. He's like a husband who cheats on his honeymoon.

I don't have a problem with him voting his conscience on this issues. I do have a problem with his recrossing party lines to join a fillibuster. That's bad form and should be remembered when he goes for the Democratic nomination to the Senate.

[dRwOOD]

"He's like a husband who cheats on his honeymoon"


I like that one

[lilymarie14]

With all of the bridesmaids

[cybertoothcat]

As a Pennsylvania resident, I can tell you that PA is a huge union state which has lost millions of jobs in the past couple of decades. I have always voted for Arlen Specter in the past despite being a strong Democrat; however, if he persists in rejecting the Employee Free Choice Act and nationalized health care, I will have to vote for a REAL Democrat (assuming one is running) or even throw away my vote on a write-in.
Senator Specter, if you are reading this, remember that millions of American citizens are hurting and desperate for some relief. The EFCA and Obama's health care plan can give them what they need after years of jobs going overseas. As a registered PA voter, I can no longer support you at election time unless you pledge to assist our fellow Americans by supporting these two bills.

[tippydog11]

Oh I see now what Specter is doing---if Specter wins, in election as a Dem. Spector will after go back and be a republican--Dems lose the seat later---that is the game Secpter?? Using our Pres Obama?..Dirty--Spector asked Pres Obama to support him in election and Pres Obama gave his word he would to Specter....but ------Pres Obama------- Did "not ask" Spector after he gets elected will Spector remain a Dem, after a few months of winning.or will Specter go back to being a republican?....

[SlashPrower]

Translation: I will continue to support my Republican views, but I will pretend I am a Democrat to get re-elected.

The Republicans were somewhat right about the guy.

[PAposter]

He's not pretending to be a Democrat...he is actually a registered Democrat, who has said he will not walk in lock-step with the Administration...so I guess that means he'll caucus privately with the Blue Dogs.

BTW, did any of us feel it was cool for all the Republicans to go along with the Bush Administration's Agenda?

[sheisme]

Then Spector won't be elected as a Democrat either ... we can do better. He talks "entitlement" as if his senority will trump policy with Democratic voters.

[FastMovingCloud]

I would love to see Joe Sestak get the Democratic nomination for that seat and wipe the floor with this old rag.

[roudy]

This old man is going down in the next election, and way past time.