Specter was already a Democrat.
He swapped because he had no hope of being elected. This is actually good for the Republican party to have him out of there.
The funny thing about Specter is, not long ago he told everyone that there is no way he would switch.
Democrats can have that crazy old man.

I just imagine as Specter's twisted body rests, beaten and broken by the Republicans, in Harry Reid's hands, he looks up at Harry and says, "You were right. You were right about me. Tell your sister... you were right. "

The prospect of losing an election will make people do strange things. Career politicians will switch sides. Especially when 20% of your states electorate switches parties.

This is a selfish decision to keep a Senate seat. Of course the Dems are happy to have him, but he may be gone after November anyway.

PS - You're right Dave.

Isn't Specter the dude with the wild hair that liked to play Russian Roulette with his girlfriends? He's changed.

I always wondered what happened to Mr. Roper.

Gee Dave, if you are so keen to get rid of Specter, maybe you will also send us Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins. These moderate repubs (or RINOs as they are affectionately known by conservatives) are so out of place in the new southern Republican party. Too bad neither is up for reelection in 2010.

gnatster- First things first. Are you a chick or a dude?

Second, I think you'll see that Specter will do more harm to the Democratic party than good. Anyone who switches partys merely for self preservation, democrat or republican, is like a turd in a punch bowl to me.

Eh, switching sides for self-preservation is not that uncommon. Winston Churchill did it. I don't really think he'll do much of anything for either party. The Democrats will have a 60-seat "filibuster-proof" majority, but does that really even matter anymore? I can't imagine the Republicans filibustering anything. It's amazing how far the party has fallen in such a short amount of time.

Considering the number of Democrats who voted for the Iraq war, but who don't want to remind anyone of that now, I find the D/R distinction pretty hazy.

I like nationalized medicine too, we'll see how it goes. Not getting my hopes up.

First, autochthonous, that is such an original name.

Second, are you a chick or a dude?

Third-I personally don't respect a sell-out. Winston Churchill or not.

Fourth-I think we will see in the next ten years a rise of a strong independent party. A lot of mad Republicans and a lot of Democrats that don't sit to the Pelosi left. That may form. Not strong enough to defeat the democrats though.

Fifth- I predict a rise in the economy from the stimulus package, peaking in about 3 years. Followed by a re-election of Barry Soetoro. I also predict a US financial crash of biblical proportions. A national debt that we won't be able to pay the interest on, and the printing of money. Inflation that we never could imagine, and a depression.
This will kick-start the rise of the Republican Party. Tension will be fierce between the U.S. and Red China because our debt to them was paid off with monopoly money. Something will happen and China will go to war with the U.S. Who will already be at war with Iran and other nations. The Iranian war will spark in the next 2 years after Iran produces a Nuke. Israel will attack Iran nuke sites offensively, others will Join Iran to fight Israel. We will join Israel.
Later nations of the world will pick sides and a final battle will be fought around Gaza, The valley of Meggido to be precise. The Bible refers to this as the battle of Armageddon. At the height of the battle The greatest leader of all time will appear. He will have my vote.

Just a prediction. I could be wrong about some of my details.
I also could be right.

Losing Specter to the Democratic Party is like Ken Griffey, Jr. returning to the Seattle Mariners.

I know that I'm supposed to care, but I can't see where it will make much difference to me or anyone else.

Come on Tim, just because Griffey is hitting .196 doesn't mean that it's not a big ... ah, forget it...

If it's any consolation, JW, I have to say that it's killing me too. Griffey is one of those special players that you can root for and believe that everything is right with baseball. Unfortunately, he'll never get to where everyone expected him to be ...

but that swing is a thing of beauty.

Best swing in baseball history.

"The Iranian war will spark in the next 2 years after Iran produces a Nuke."

Wow, I came to read YBNBY, and instead got Alex Jones' website. Now Dave is proposing armageddon. Good thing I wore my tinfoil rosary.

I don't know who Alex Jones is, but I think I'll look into it.

I thought you might appreciate the Amageddon prediction.