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Specter's statement: "Not defined" by party
Politico via Drudge ^ | April 28, 2009 | Arlen Specter

Posted on 04/28/2009 9:26:22 AM PDT by pillut48

Statement by Senator Arlen Specter

I have been a Republican since 1966. I have been working extremely hard for the Party, for its candidates and for the ideals of a Republican Party whose tent is big enough to welcome diverse points of view. While I have been comfortable being a Republican, my Party has not defined who I am. I have taken each issue one at a time and have exercised independent judgment to do what I thought was best for Pennsylvania and the nation.

Since my election in 1980, as part of the Reagan Big Tent, the Republican Party has moved far to the right. Last year, more than 200,000 Republicans in Pennsylvania changed their registration to become Democrats. I now find my political philosophy more in line with Democrats than Republicans.

Since then, I have traveled the State, talked to Republican leaders and office-holders and my supporters and I have carefully examined public opinion. It has become clear to me that the stimulus vote caused a schism which makes our differences irreconcilable. On this state of the record, I am unwilling to have my twenty-nine year Senate record judged by the Pennsylvania Republican primary electorate.

I have not represented the Republican Party.

I have represented the people of Pennsylvania.

I have decided to run for re-election in 2010 in the Democratic primary.

I am ready, willing and anxious to take on all comers and have my candidacy for re-election determined in a general election.

I deeply regret that I will be disappointing many friends and supporters. I can understand their disappointment. I am also disappointed that so many in the Party I have worked for for more than four decades do not want me to be their candidate. It is very painful on both sides.

(Excerpt) Read more at politico.com ...


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Extended News; Government; News/Current Events; US: Pennsylvania
KEYWORDS: 111th; agenda; bushlegacy; democrats; dieapainfuldeath; pa2010; pennsylvania; rino; rovelegacy; specter; sphincter; turncoat
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He got that right!

Buh-bye, RINO!

1 posted on 04/28/2009 9:26:22 AM PDT by pillut48
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To: pillut48

what a P.O.S.


2 posted on 04/28/2009 9:27:04 AM PDT by NCBraveheart (My inner child is a mean little SOB)
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To: pillut48

Give the Dems a fillibuster proof majority, if Franken finally gets in.


3 posted on 04/28/2009 9:27:41 AM PDT by Nachum (the complete list at www.nachumlist.com)
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To: pillut48

Funny how he finds his balls to finally admit what we already knew..that he’s a Democrat.


4 posted on 04/28/2009 9:27:47 AM PDT by MAD-AS-HELL (Hope and Change. Rhetoric embraced by the Insane - Obama, The Chump in Charge)
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To: NCBraveheart

Specter just assured that MILLIONS of dollars are going to get poured into Pat Toomey’s campaign coffers from conservative groups across the country.


5 posted on 04/28/2009 9:27:58 AM PDT by HawkeyeRepublican
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To: pillut48

Under Scottish law, he’s guilty but not proven


6 posted on 04/28/2009 9:28:24 AM PDT by PurpleMan
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To: Nachum

Keep reminding yourself—2010 is around the corner!!! Even the hard core liberal extremists will be suffering under this president and congress!!


7 posted on 04/28/2009 9:28:31 AM PDT by pillut48 (CJ in TX --"God help us all, and God help America!!" --my new mantra for the next 4 years)
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To: HawkeyeRepublican

If he looses the Rat primary,he will run as an independent.


8 posted on 04/28/2009 9:28:51 AM PDT by Oldexpat
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To: pillut48

I guess it doesn’t bother Specter that the Democratic Party has moved FAR to the LEFT towards Socialism. Because apparently that’s where he’d like to be.


9 posted on 04/28/2009 9:29:02 AM PDT by Right Cal Gal (Abraham Lincoln would have let Berkeley leave the Union without a fight)
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To: pillut48

The RINO finally coughs up.


10 posted on 04/28/2009 9:29:06 AM PDT by Tarpon (You abolish your responsibilities, your surrender your rights.)
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Comment #11 Removed by Moderator

To: pillut48

He knows he’s going to lose his primary.

They already have a filibuster majority since he votes with them anyway.

200,000 changed registration mostly for Operation Chaos, IMHO


12 posted on 04/28/2009 9:29:24 AM PDT by chuck_the_tv_out (click my name)
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To: pillut48

Good news in the long run, because the non-conservatives have been exposed for what they are, and they are FINALLY leaving the Party.

I’m sending another twenty to Pat Toomey! At least this saves him the expense of fighting Arlen in the Primary.


13 posted on 04/28/2009 9:29:29 AM PDT by Bean Counter (Stout Hearts....)
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To: pillut48

Now there are a few RINO’s who supported this jerk who have some splannin to do.


14 posted on 04/28/2009 9:29:29 AM PDT by armymarinemom (My sons freed Iraqi and Afghan Honor Roll students.)
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To: pillut48

Let’s hope that a democRAT beats him in the RAT primary.


15 posted on 04/28/2009 9:29:42 AM PDT by lormand ("Janet Napolitano should resign or be fired." - Congressman John Carter - My Congresscritter)
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To: pillut48

Not defined by party... but by actions. Spector has always been a Dem.


16 posted on 04/28/2009 9:29:43 AM PDT by Sleeping Freeper
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To: pillut48
Internal polling must have shown he was toast in the primary.

Spector is nothing, if not a complete coward.

17 posted on 04/28/2009 9:29:44 AM PDT by Jewbacca (Yes, I am very hairy and good with small arms.)
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To: pillut48

He hss been a demonrat for years. Can Mcain be far behind??


18 posted on 04/28/2009 9:29:49 AM PDT by jesseam (Been there and done that!)
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To: pillut48

What a pathetic little man.


19 posted on 04/28/2009 9:29:53 AM PDT by Oldeconomybuyer (The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money.)
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To: NCBraveheart

He should step down now. He no longer represents what the people elected him for. Any time someone switches partys, while in office, should be forced to step down.


20 posted on 04/28/2009 9:29:58 AM PDT by RC2 (FREEDOM)
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To: pillut48

Arlin Sphincter. What you get after a case of the Swine Flew.

YOU LEFTIST BA$TARD. DON’T LET THE DOOR HIT YOU IN THE A$$.


21 posted on 04/28/2009 9:30:36 AM PDT by PRO 1 (POX on posters who's political bent causes them to refuse to be confused by the FACTS!!!!!!)
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To: pillut48

How’s that senatorial strategy working out for ya, Sen. Cornyn?

Oh, and Specter: Door meet Ass.


22 posted on 04/28/2009 9:30:36 AM PDT by frankenMonkey (www.citizendirect.org - this domain name for sale)
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To: pillut48

“Republican Party whose tent is big enough to welcome diverse points of view.”

Could someone pull up the BS Meter on that, please???

Since when do the RINOs think that they speak for the party??? We are a CONSERVATIVE PARTY!!!!!!!

WE’RE TAKING IT BACK BY STORM!!!!! RINO #1: PURGED!!!!!! WOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!

TOOMEY!!! TOOMEY!!! TOOMEY!!!!!!


23 posted on 04/28/2009 9:30:43 AM PDT by wk4bush2004 (PALIN-BACHMANN, 2012......."GIVE ESTROGEN A CHANCE!!!!")
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To: Right Cal Gal


Spectre's over here, where the dems are.
24 posted on 04/28/2009 9:30:59 AM PDT by chuck_the_tv_out (click my name)
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To: pillut48

Best comment so far, from Mark Hemingway on NRO:

“I read that he was switching parties, but I was disappointed to learn he’s still a Democrat.”


25 posted on 04/28/2009 9:31:00 AM PDT by Numbers Guy
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To: pillut48

Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell once switched from the Dems to the Republicans ... Maybe Lieberman can follow suit and even things out.


26 posted on 04/28/2009 9:31:04 AM PDT by chippewaman
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To: pillut48
Keep reminding yourself—2010 is around the corner

And click my rubies slippers three times?

This b*stard can do a lot of damage until them.

Cr*p.

27 posted on 04/28/2009 9:31:13 AM PDT by Nachum (the complete list at www.nachumlist.com)
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To: pillut48
"I am also disappointed that so many in the Party I have worked for for more than four decades do not want me to be their candidate."

Boo friggin Hoo, buttface. Ever think that there's a reason for that?

28 posted on 04/28/2009 9:31:30 AM PDT by RabidBartender (FoxNews isn't right wing, CNN just makes them look that way.)
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To: pillut48

GOOD RIDDANCE Arlen, you piece of donkey excrement!


29 posted on 04/28/2009 9:31:40 AM PDT by RasterMaster (DUmocrats - the party of slavery, sedition, subversion, socialism & surrender)
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To: pillut48

he only made it official today, he’s been a rat for years. So long, schmuck


30 posted on 04/28/2009 9:31:42 AM PDT by SueRae
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To: pillut48

So as I read this: He knew he would lose the (R) primary so he switched parties. He could have at least had the cajones to follow Lieberman - fight the fight, and if you lose the primary run as an independant.


31 posted on 04/28/2009 9:31:49 AM PDT by BlueNgold (... Feed the tree!)
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To: pillut48

Why is he joining the socialist Democrat party if party has not defined him?


32 posted on 04/28/2009 9:31:54 AM PDT by Man50D (Fair Tax, you earn it, you keep it!)
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To: chippewaman

Or Ben Nelson in Nebraska.


33 posted on 04/28/2009 9:32:00 AM PDT by RabidBartender (FoxNews isn't right wing, CNN just makes them look that way.)
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To: Nachum

As if he wasn’t if he stayed a RINO?


34 posted on 04/28/2009 9:32:30 AM PDT by Pyro7480 ("If you know how not to pray, take Joseph as your master, and you will not go astray." - St. Teresa)
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To: pillut48

The man has no principles, but rather, is a politician, period. He’d join the communist party if he thought he’d get elected.


35 posted on 04/28/2009 9:32:36 AM PDT by Jaidyn
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To: pillut48

No, Senator, you are defined by bald-faced self interest.


36 posted on 04/28/2009 9:32:48 AM PDT by keepitreal (Obama brings change: an international crisis (terrorism) within 6 months)
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To: chuck_the_tv_out

Agreed.


37 posted on 04/28/2009 9:33:05 AM PDT by rockinqsranch (Dems, Libs, Socialists...Call 'em What you Will, They ALL have Fairies Living In Their Trees.)
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To: pillut48

Ok PA...You know what to do...

It is certainly a long time coming, we ALL, including Texas needs to purge the RINO’s out of the fold...

KBH, Collins, Specter and Snowe should be at the top of the list...

Let’s turn the next primary into a nightmare for the donkeys...


38 posted on 04/28/2009 9:33:12 AM PDT by stevie_d_64
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To: pillut48
April 14, 2009

National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman John Cornyn released a letter today offering a full-throated endorsement of Sen. Arlen Specter in his coming primary against former congressman Pat Toomey,

"Article"

39 posted on 04/28/2009 9:33:38 AM PDT by 11th Commandment (Proud Member of the DHS radical list since 2008)
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To: pillut48

If he represents the people and not a ‘party’, why go to the trouble and disruption of changing parties? So he can now not represent the Democrat Party?


40 posted on 04/28/2009 9:33:40 AM PDT by 5thGenTexan
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To: Jaidyn
"The man has no principles, but rather, is a politician, period. He’d join the communist party if he thought he’d get elected."

He just did.

41 posted on 04/28/2009 9:33:51 AM PDT by fieldmarshaldj (~"This is what happens when you find a stranger in the Alps !"~~)
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To: pillut48

Not defined by party, nor by principles.


42 posted on 04/28/2009 9:34:17 AM PDT by Hat-Trick (Do you trust a government that cannot trust you with guns?)
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To: pillut48
Selfish elitist bastard!
43 posted on 04/28/2009 9:34:22 AM PDT by Niteranger68 (I am an extremist that was created by Butch Napolitano.)
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To: pillut48

Is the RNC still going to support him?


44 posted on 04/28/2009 9:34:22 AM PDT by donna (If America is not a Christian nation, it will be part of the Islamic nation. Take you pick.)
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To: pillut48

Whore.


45 posted on 04/28/2009 9:34:37 AM PDT by henkster (0bamanomics: "I'll loan you all the money you need to get out of debt.")
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To: stevie_d_64

I would laugh if the Democrats don’t take him.

This is the man that came up with the Kennedy Magic bullet theory.


46 posted on 04/28/2009 9:34:43 AM PDT by Right of Right Wing
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To: pillut48
"Since my election in 1980, as part of the Reagan Big Tent, the Republican Party has moved far to the right. "

So this bufoon thinks the Republican party is further to the right than it was during the Reagan years?!

I wish!!

This guy's to stupid to be a Senator. Good Riddance.

47 posted on 04/28/2009 9:34:44 AM PDT by wny
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To: wk4bush2004
Image and video hosting by TinyPic
48 posted on 04/28/2009 9:34:51 AM PDT by pillut48 (CJ in TX --"God help us all, and God help America!!" --my new mantra for the next 4 years)
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To: pillut48
Since my election in 1980, as part of the Reagan Big Tent, the Republican Party has moved far to the right.

Reagan was to the left of the current Republican party? Ha,ha,ha,ha,ha,ha,ha,ha,ha,ha,ha,ha,ha,ha,ha,ha,ha,ha,ha! Must be the afterglow of the chemo. Goodbye rat!

49 posted on 04/28/2009 9:35:02 AM PDT by throwback
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To: pillut48
Cannot even get on his website to leave a farewell message. I guess he saw the writing on the wall that Pat Toomey was gonna win.
50 posted on 04/28/2009 9:35:28 AM PDT by Eagles6 ( Typical White Guy: Christian, Constitutionalist, Heterosexual, Redneck. (Let them eat arugula!))
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