Arlen Specter has been a Republican for over 40 years. His sudden conversion to the faith of the Democratic party, while welcome for those who think it will mean that key measures of President Obama's administration will be turned into law, nevertheless leaves us wondering. It is clear that Specter waltzed across the aisle because he didn't have the votes to beat a Republican challenger in the upcoming Pennsylvania primary. With Pennsylvania surging toward shades of blue in the last few elections, Specter saw the handwriting on the wall. Make no mistake: the senator openly admitted that his change of political heart, while spurred by the vote of his GOP colleagues against the president's stimulus package, was a vote to undergird his political future. Anyone who thinks that the man from Pennsylvania will abandon many of his right-leaning positions because he now sits with the Democrats may need to think again.
The GOP on Fantasy Island After last night's health care speech by President Obama to a joint session of Congress there could be little doubt: Barak Obama is a man for all seasons. I was prepared to roll out the cannons and take aim at an administration that has essentially allowed right-wing hooligans to define the debate on health care for the entire nation. At the end of what was certainly one of the most moving speeches of his presidency, Mr. Obama had managed to solidify his base, keep an open door to bi-partisanship, and leave even his ideological enemies somewhat in awe. One enemy clearly not in awe was the South Carolina congressman Joe Wilson who blatantly broke the traditions of congressional decorum by yelling at the president, calling him a liar in the middle of his speech. The contrast between the calm intelligence of Obama and the maniacal behavior of the representative was stark and will surely be the subject of national discussion in the coming days. There is little...
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