White House Continues To Fully Support Specter: Gibbs

The Obama White House, to this point, remains untroubled by the opposition of the Democratic Party's newest member, Arlen Specter, to the president's budget, the Employee Free Choice Act, and a public plan for health insurance.

Asked about the Pennsylvania Democrat on Tuesday, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said that Specter continues to enjoy Barack Obama's "full support" and that the administration would do "what's necessary to see him re-elected," despite their divergence on these policies.

"I think Senator Specter said it the day he made his announcement that he's going to make decisions on individual bills, but I think him switching to the Democratic Party was a belief that that's the party that could best serve his constituents," Gibbs said, in response to a question by ABC's Jake Tapper. "We don't get 100 -- we don't generally get 100 percent of any party voting for us, but we'll continue to try."

The White House, of course, can't simply back away from Specter a week after it jubilantly praised his party switch. Vice President Biden played an integral role in securing that defection. But if Specter's political habits continue to be a topic of discussion at the briefing sessions, expect the White House to apply some private pressure to get the Pennsylvanian more in line with the president's prerogatives.

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Comments

[antaeus]

There's still time before the PA primary. The White House didn't promise Specter the moon (I hope), and if he continues to do things like advocate for Coleman, then I should foresee Obama backing off from any support.

[smithonpolitics-com]

I don't understand the White House on this!! If's he's against THEIR healthcare plan, THEIR EFCA, and their BUDGET, what's the point in supporting him? It is seriously stupid. Obama and Biden are WRONG. I mean typically things are promised, but if Specter won't promise to vote on the biggest issues affecting Americans, what's the point?

[patwal]

I commend to you an old saying: "When your hand is in the lion's mouth, you have to pull it out slowly and carefully". Having given him full support at the time of the defection, if they're having second thoughts - and I wouldn't be surprised if they are - they can't just turn around the next two days like we can and tell him to FO.

[AMDG]

Arlen Specter is a pretty amazing fellow. Having shown skill to stay in the US Senate 29 years, raising significant funds to be reelected 5 times, he has fallen upon his own sword. First, he alienated the Limbaugh Republicans by actually voting for what was right for the American People, rather than what Limbaugh wanted him to do. Then, to seal the deal, he defected to the Democratic Party.

Unfortunately, that wasn’t good enough. To further the cause of alienation, he voted against the President’s budget proposal, which was at the very core of the Administrations plan to extricate this country from the ashes left behind by the previous administration. Fortunately, it passed.

So, he’s not a Republican, nor is he a real Democrat. He is counting on Obama’s support come next voting season, but that seems less likely every day. Announcing today that he would like to see Coleman win speaks volumes. Without a filibuster-proof senate, it is likely that a lot of the presidents proposals for health care reform, rectifying global warming, creating jobs, cleaning up the credit morass, and rebuilding our financial institutions – while ending their tax loopholes – will have to be severely compromised.

[republicants]

As a Pennsylvanian and an early supporter of our President in the Democratic primary season, I was thrilled to see Specter switch parties. While always exhibiting an "independent" streak, Arlen Specter has over the years frustrated me on some very important issues - most notably his unseemly attacks on the credibility of Anita Hill. Nonetheless, I was hopeful that his party switch was the result of soul searching and introspection - something of which the Republican Party of late is incapable. I had assumed with this switch that Specter was vetted by the likes of Biden and Rendell - but to date Specter has voiced support for no policies or ideas embraced by the Democratic Party. Today's pronouncement regarding the seating of Norm Coleman in Minnesota was the final straw. This Pennsylvania Democrat will not support Arlen Specter in the Democratic Primary - regardless of the support of Rendell; Biden or our President. It is time for Pennsylvania Democrats to demand that our candidate for Senate in 2010 support the agenda of the Democratic Party. Nice try, Arlen - but this time, I'm not buying it.

[manicore]

I think the main reason the White House is not worried about Specter's position on EFCA. and Public
Healthcare is that Obama was Never serious about passing it Himself.

[sueinmn]

Im eginning to think he is more serious about re election than his promises. All the money spent so far and still declining jobs, homes lost and interest rates on credit out of the park. What is Obama really doing but fanning us with hope?

I need to see some real change and so far I havent. As a hard core Dem, My options are few and my hope is now off the chart. Really a huge let down as tomarrow looks darker and darker! I fear the reality has yet to set in if you still have your jobs! This is a very bleak picture from where I sit!
Hopeless bag lady sooner than thought!

[ECBA88]

Stocks have been improving for a month or so now. Probably 6 months or so from some actual job improvement.

I'm a tad skeptical of Obama myself, but I think he'll get at least some of the agenda passed.

[ljc]

Why so critical so soon? Is it all about just you?

http://www.sefermpost.com/sefermpost/2009/04/obamas-first-100-days-a-look-at-key-events.html

[ThePhilosopher]

My guess is that Specter promised Obama that he'd support Democrats on all procedural votes (meaning he'll vote for cloture to stop a filibuster) which is all they really need him for anyway.

[AnotherMcIntosh]

Faith-based guessing?

[apolloguide]

Really, want to buy a bridge Mr philosopher?

[wanj]

The WH needs to realize that if they continue to "fully" support this snake, they'll pay a steep price for it come 2012. Obama still has to campaign in 2012, it's not in the bag.

[PoliticalAmazon]

ITA. Also, Obama's core supporters are not like the GOP-bots who let Bush Jr do anything he wanted withut challenge. It is Obama's core supporters who he has abandoned to kiss up to folks like Rick Warren and the GOPers.

He may think he has us in the bag for 2012 but--oh my goodness--he is very, very wrong about that.

[ljc]

How selfish. You sound like a Republican.

[nomobull]

i think he will give them legitimate excuse to cut him loose in 10 9 9 7 6 5.......

[sueinmn]

Obama must do something for the people that elected him. So far the banks came out smelling like a rose but we are still losing jobs. I may support an independnt. I need to see change and so far I have not seen only more of the same! Crooked Congress regardless of party and Obama being the organizer rather than the enforcer will not cut it! This country needs a turn around or it will fail worse than we have could imagine. China owns the realestate and we have little defense these days!

[johnie2xs]

This was a losing deal. I can't for the life of me, detect the upside. Sure, it seems like a deal, but only on the surface. Any mileage to be gotten, out of this is gone, which was the embarrassment to the Rethugs. Now, there's nothing, and they gotta feed this horse.

He is going to now embarrass the Dems, on a daily basis, saying what NOW he's not going to support.

Look, how now he's backing Coleman to win in the courts!!! Sestak is going to be the spoiler in a primary, with this goof, and the White House will wake up and not back Spector. At least, I Hope!!

[Graywolf48]

Obama has political capital, but I can NOT believe he will waste it on this Judas. I hope the Pennsylvania Democratic Party breaks with the administration and backs Sestak or another loyal Democrat in the primary. Specter needs to go. He's an embarrassment and an opportunistic political hack that is using the Democratic party and money to keep his job. Specter's only loyalty is to himself.

[PoliticalAmazon]

I'm not surprised OBama is doing this. Look how he rewarded Lieberman for campaigning for John McCain.

[StevieRae]

Specter is needed only for one critical vote; a health plan proposal before the end of the year. He's already declared he's not going to vote on the Union "card."

After that, he's useless and can be cut off to drift where ever.

[asuarezkargbo]

I seriously suspect that Arlen Specter is planning to run unopposed as a Democrat in the primaries, and is planning to switch back to the Republican party after he wins the general. I am not rich but I am prepared to dig deep in my pockets to donate to a credible challenger in the Democratic primaries. Spector is a friggin weasle. If he is challenged in the primaries he wont win. He is already on tape saying that he will not be a loyal democrat, and that he won't support single payer, etc. Specter better start playing ball, because if he won't be a loyal Democrat, loyal Democrats won't vote for him

[Martampa]

If the President, Vice-President and Democratic leadership continue to support Arlen Specter they have just lost my vote forever after 46 years. Why are they kissing up to this egomaniac who has long outlived his usefulness in the political arena. 79 years old, 29 years in the Senate and 4 bouts of cancer - it is long past due for him to go. These incestuous relationships don't help the American citizens.

[VTL]

Maybe it's because, in specific and important situations, his vote is so important?

Duh.

[StellaRay]

In what specific and important situations do you see him actually voting as a democrat?
Because I'm not seeing it. Seems to me he intends to continue being a republican with the exception of using the democratic label to win his primary.

[MIVOTE]

I put this on another thread that was moderated, but it bears repeating here, whether it gets through cens.orshi­.p or not! Specter has dem.en.tia.

[exile]

spector
liberman

really who cares.

[DCX2]

Specter is a DINO - Democrat In Name Only. I cannot wait until I can vote against him in the Primary.

[freethinkergirl]

Please do!

[wanj]

Thank you!

[Greywolf Borealis]

We in Pennsylvania don't want Specter re-elected no matter what label he wears. He has consistently come out in the pockets of big business and polluters in his senatorial votes.

[naschkatze]

Is Obama willing to trade a Franken for a Coleman and a Specter? That's one twofer I don't want to see.