Comments on: Specter to quit GOP for Dems

By: Karen

Karen — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 20:21:44 +0000

Now, can we get the two lady senators from Maine to do the same thing? The GOP threatened to support challenges against them, too, for supporting Obama’s stimulus plan. I hope they’ll see the light and come over to the Democratic Party. We’re not perfect, but we’re much more likely to support human rights than the Repugs.

By: Kari

Kari — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 13:00:55 +0000

I’m not a Republican, but as a voter it is my hope that the Republican party leaders have the wisdom to see that the solution to their current troubles is not to pander to extremists. Rather, they must work to embrace the people they have alienated.

The national party has a recent history of shunning people who don’t fit into its right-wing clique, and it’s really showing as people such as Arlen Specter, who attempted to stay in the party while being moderate, are leaving.

Forget alienating gays, blacks, feminists, hispanics, etc. Forget alienating liberals, libertarians or non-Christians. Heck, forget even alienating voters. The GOP’s current platform alienates its own elected officials.

Part of running a successful party, more even than keeping your supporters happy, is keeping your politicians happy. Especially in a presidential system, where the candidates themselves win over a lot of the voters, the party leaders should make their main objective getting people into the party and developing a political talent base for getting individuals into office and, additionally, retaining them into the future.

I don’t see the GOP doing that. And that is why they have their current troubles. And it’s why the party will collapse without enlightened leadership.

Maybe Mr. Steele can do it. But even as moderate as the man is, the focus is not shifting in the party at large. And that’s the problem with the GOP.

By: mdc.philly

mdc.philly — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 12:34:56 +0000

Sen. Arlen Specter does not vote along party line(s): rather he votes his conscience. He weigh’s the pro’s and con’s and votes accordingly. This most certainly upsets the Republican Party, since [they] can’t stand a loose gun amongst ‘em. I’m in favor of his decision: too jump ship – rather then be replaced by some up-start swine: the Republican Party approves, endorses and most certainly put in place to replace him. Sen. Arlen Specter has survived many hurdles – including the Republican Party…

By: Robert, NYC

Robert, NYC — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 12:24:11 +0000

The Grand Obstructionist Party is beginning to morph into a party of the extreme far right further alienating younger voters and independents. All they have left now are the religious zealots to carry their message that will inevitably cause them to self-destruct. They have no message, no appeal, no change that the younger generation can identify with. As Megan McCain accurately stated, unless their party becomes more moderate and tolerant, they’ll never regain power. Fewere than 21% of the public identify themselves as republican….that should send an alarming message to the diehard conservative base. Either get with the program or face extinction. I prefer the latter.

By: Michelle N

Michelle N — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 12:05:55 +0000

Shawn, He was fairly transparent on his motives.

By: shawn

shawn — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 08:09:59 +0000

Ummm…am I the only one here who sees this for what it truly is?

By: drewski

drewski — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 03:59:03 +0000

Good for Specter. As for Mr Steele, all I can say is that the sun doesn’t beat as harshly on you when you’re in the house instead of out in the field.

By: Roger

Roger — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 02:42:31 +0000

Congratulations to the 19th century leadership of the Republican Party. Reagan’s “big tent” is now smaller than a pup tent, and the party is well on its way to becoming a regional party with no hope of ever winning a national election.

By: Matt

Matt — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 02:29:00 +0000

YAY!