As I said in another thread, most politicians do develop a contempt for the people who voted for them, only they try to hide it. Specter’s contempt became blatantly obvious, especially in the last few years, and that was probably one of many reasons why the voters abandoned him.
Like he’s old and tired.
Ironically, Specter did provide some insight into how detached a long-term incumbent becomes from the voters. The simply fact that he changed parties and voted for health care - and expected to be reelected by the his new democrap party is really a stretch and only about him, not the voters.
I’m thinking that the long timers should go sooner, perhaps when the current election cycle appears to be their last - don’t reelect them from either party - in the case of a Senator the last 7 years can be unbearable for the voters.