Could Specter, and maybe Snowe and Collins switch sides?

[backscatter712]

Just thought I'd mention something I saw on Daily Kos this morning.

PA-Sen: Specter's best bet is to switch

Yeah, I know. They're Repubs. But what gets me is that I think we can cut a deal with them.

In exchange for switching to the Democratic Party, supporting EFCA, Obama's budget, universal health care, future stimulus packages, ending the war in Iraq, etc., the DSCC and DNC gives them money and endorsements so they can get reelected. If they don't play ball with us, we watch them get primaried. Specter in particular is vulnerable to a GOP primary challenge, since only Repubs can vote in PA primaries - if he remains Republican, he's in the position of either becoming more conservative, winning his primary, but losing the general, or remaining moderate, having support by the general pop. of PA, but losing his primary. If Specter loses his primary, he's replaced by yet another Rethug raving lunatic who'll likely lose the general. No matter what, we win!

In other words, we've got him by the short and curlies. We can offer a deal with Specter that ensures he can't pull a Lieberman and be too much of an obnoxious DINO. And we might be able to peel away Snowe and Collins too, though I'm not as familiar with their electoral situations.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

1. Specter's health is iffy regardless of his positions.

Actually the Republican I'd like to see switch parties is my governor, Charlie Crist. He's been making a lot of good decisions lately, which has pissed off the GOP base to no end.

[elocs]

2. I don't see any of them switching sides, but what difference does it make

as long as we can get one or more of them to vote with us?

[Cary]

3. Better yet, end the filibuster altogether.

Majority rules, period, end of story.

[jaysunb]

4. A move to independent sounds more reasonable

for the ladies. Spector is an asshole that needs to be beaten.

[BuyingThyme]

5. Specter is evil.

Don't want him. Ever.

[Jack Rabbit]

6. Specter would probably retire rather than switch or face a tough primary

Snowe and Collins are fair game. There aren't many Republicans left in that part of the country. Nevertheless, New England voters are nothing if not independent, so either of them could still win re-election running as Republicans.

[T Wolf]

7. Simply switching their R for a D insures nothing. Esp. with Spectre, who votes with the pukes

except when it is safe to appear "independent."

We don't want or need that piece of shit in our party.

As for "chaosing" the primary in PA - all it takes is a (temporary) re-registration.