Even if Specter's voting doesn't change much...

[DrToast]

I suspect he'll always vote for cloture.

That's why it's a big deal.

We might be able to pass health care without reconciliation now.

[jillan]

1. Andrea Mitchell was just interviewing Mark Whittaker and they

were saying he did it for healthcare - he wants to see it passed.

[SemiCharmedQuark]

2. He did it to keep his seat. He could have voted for healthcare as a Republican.

[dflprincess]

3. Thom Hartmann just quoted Specter as saying he won't be an automatic vote

for cloture.

[Beetwasher]

4. Every Senator In The Senate Will Say That If Asked

n/t

[Fire1]

5. In fact he said he will NOT vote for cloture. n/t

[Salviati]

6. Well, from what I read he said he wouldn't ALWAYS vote for cloture...

Which is better than never voting for cloture. He'll probably vote for cloture a lot more often now that he's not going to be punished by his party to do so. Also, if the above poster is correct, and he wants to se health care reform passed, then that's a biggie that he'll be on our side for.

[Fire1]

7. I'm going by what I heard reported from MSNBC reporters

who talked to him. Health care reform is a big deal for many but not one of my pet issues. He's clearly a blue dog and another
Lieberman and I'm sick of politicians using the Dem party for their convenience.

[ClarkUSA]

8. His vote will be very important on national healthcare and energy/cap-and-trade legislation.