http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1894394,00.html

Crazy news- longtime GOP senator Arlen Specter of PA leaves the republican party for the democrats.  If Norm Coleman stops being a douchebag and Franken gets seated, then the Dems will have their 60.

 Although at least some are arguing this isn't much of a change in the status quo

http://www.fivethirtyeight.com/2009/04/specters-switch-more-insult-than-injury.html

Opinion seems to be that Spector did this because a) he probably would  have lost the GOP primary in '10, b) will be the democratic nominee in '10, and c) has been uncomfortable with the idealogical shift to the right in the republican party.

 Spector says:

"I am unwilling to have my twenty-nine year Senate record judged by the Pennsylvania Republican primary electorate," Specter said in his statement. "I have not represented the Republican Party. I have represented the people of Pennsylvania."

 One could argue this is not a good long-term development for the left, since they could probably have gotten someone much more left-leaning in that spot in '10 had Spector stayed GOP.  I'd be surprised if he changed his mind on the Employee Free Choice Act, for example.  However, if it helps with some of the procedural things in the senate to have one fewer GOP vote, maybe it will make things easier.

 You've got to love how G.O.P. chairman Michael Steele calls Specter's voting record "left-wing" for voting with the dems a whopping 40% of the time.

not surprised. Specter and many of the other RHINOs should've moved to the Dem party long time ago. Of course, with Franken just a few hundred votes away from winning the Minnesota Senate race, we can probably expect the Dems to take 60 senates. GOP deserve it for their ineptness the last 10 years.

Sadly, the country will pay for it in the long run now that there's nothing stopping the Dems from ramrodding stupid legislation through the Congress.

Jordan .

"Harry, I'm going to let you in on a little secret. Every day, once a day, give yourself a present. Don't plan it, don't wait for it, just let it happen. Could be a new shirt at the men's store, a catnap in your office chair, or two cups of good, hot, black coffee. Like this."  -Dale Cooper

 lots of people who don't understand what socialism is are posting in this forum

i'm looking forward to the sun setting on the american empire. lots of former world powers just seem so chill and laid back these days. i'd love for us to be as relaxed as germany or something. of course, the second our ecenomy deteriorates to the point that people can't buy stupid shit like snuggies and shamwows, it'll be riots in the streets. fat, waddling riots in the streets.

As long as our leaders and media brainwash the sheeple into denouncing American values, we will be able to head in the right direction for sure.

Blah blah blah, I'm smarter than you, blah blah blah I'm angry, you're dumb blah blah you are not as progressive as I am blah blah blah LISTEN TO ME!  I WILL CHANGE YOU!
 

"Harry, I'm going to let you in on a little secret. Every day, once a day, give yourself a present. Don't plan it, don't wait for it, just let it happen. Could be a new shirt at the men's store, a catnap in your office chair, or two cups of good, hot, black coffee. Like this."  -Dale Cooper

things that assholes hate: smarts, and compassion.  i'm going to die with a lot of regrets but "i wish i'd called more ignorant motherfuckers out on their shit" isn't going to be one of them.

lol american values

"Harry, I'm going to let you in on a little secret. Every day, once a day, give yourself a present. Don't plan it, don't wait for it, just let it happen. Could be a new shirt at the men's store, a catnap in your office chair, or two cups of good, hot, black coffee. Like this."  -Dale Cooper

Pendulums do what they do.  Swing.  Arlen "Single Bullet" Specter has never been a friend o' mine dating back to his defense attorney days when he allowed Ira Einhorn to go free on bail for the murder of his girlfriend.  Only after several years in exile in France was he found out and returned to PA. 

I heard an interesting thing today about American values, which happens to be the country where I reside and the one I care about most.  Our coins reflect the three core values -- 

1.  E pluribus unum

2.  Liberty

3.  In God we trust 

Notice egalite, fraternitie and compassion are missing from the mix. 

Rolling with the well deserved punches the Republican party is suffering with the current leftward swing.

Susan 

     
“Half a truth is often a great lie.”

Ben Franklin

Not sure of your point, newraymond. Are you agreeing that we are a country of at least egalite and fraternite, or are you saying are core values are not exclusively defined by what's on our money, but instead by, say, the "all men are created equal" line in the Declaration of Independence?

 The "E Pluribus Unum" was meant to acknowledge the joining of the states, although it sounds like  commie talk if you think of it on an individual level.

 wow, a 75 year old quote that's totally relevant to today's political situation!

we're still not even remotely socialist compared to oh i don't know all of europe

american values: manifest destiny, indian genocide, racism, being the only country to use nukes on an enemy.

american ideals: all that liberal crap about equality

It's enlightening to know the true beliefs of Americans about America.

Susan

     
“Half a truth is often a great lie.”

Ben Franklin

america is marlon brando as stanley kowalski-- "he's bad boy but i'm sure if he met me, I could change him and he's just so hot...sigh....."

*ignores the fact he's a rapist and a monster*

     
“Half a truth is often a great lie.”

Ben Franklin

That being said, I don't like ANY party having 60% majority in either house. It gives a party too much control and that's when stupid things happen.

Jordan .

 Speaking of Communists...

     
“Half a truth is often a great lie.”

Ben Franklin

"Harry, I'm going to let you in on a little secret. Every day, once a day, give yourself a present. Don't plan it, don't wait for it, just let it happen. Could be a new shirt at the men's store, a catnap in your office chair, or two cups of good, hot, black coffee. Like this."  -Dale Cooper