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Popular Florida Gov. Charlie Crist is jumping into that state’s Senate race, raising Republicans’ hopes of keeping that seat in the party. As the AP’s Julie Pace reports, national Republicans seem to be rallying around the moderate Crist.
Veteran Republican Sen. Arlen Specter disclosed plans Tuesday to switch parties, bringing Democrats closer to the 60-vote supermajority they need to push Barack Obama’s agenda through the Senate. “This is a painful decision,” said Specter at a Tuesday afternoon news conference. “I know that I’m disappointing a lot of my friends and colleagues…the disappointment runs in both directions.” – from MSNBC
Faced with a stiff challenge from conservatives and part of the dying breed of moderate Republicans, Pennsylvania Senator Arlen Specter has announced that he’s leaving the GOP and will become a Democrat — creating a new situation in his up-til-now troubled re-election bid, further thinning the ranks of once powerful moderate Republicans and potentially giving the Democrats a 60 vote filibuster-proof Senate if Minnesota’s Al Franken is seated in that disputed race. – from here
Sen. Arlen Specter, a liberal Republican from Pennsylvania facing a conservative primary challenge in 2010 that many think he will lose, today announced in a statement he is switching to the Democratic Party. – from NPR
April 28, 2009
Statement by Senator Arlen Specter
I have been a Republican since 1966. I have been working extremely hard for the Party, for its candidates and for the ideals of a Republican Party whose tent is big enough to welcome diverse points of view. While I have been comfortable being a Republican, my Party has not defined who I am. I have taken each issue one at a time and have exercised independent judgment to do what I thought was best for Pennsylvania and the nation.
Since my election in 1980, as part of the Reagan Big Tent, the Republican Party has moved far to the right. Last year, more than 200,000 Republicans in Pennsylvania changed their registration to become Democrats. I now find my political philosophy more in line with Democrats than Republicans.
When I supported the stimulus package, I knew that it would not be popular with the Republican Party. But, I saw the stimulus as necessary to lessen the risk of a far more serious recession than we are now experiencing.
Since then, I have traveled the State, talked to Republican leaders and office-holders and my supporters and I have carefully examined public opinion. It has become clear to me that the stimulus vote caused a schism which makes our differences irreconcilable. On this state of the record, I am unwilling to have my twenty-nine year Senate record judged by the Pennsylvania Republican primary electorate. I have not represented the Republican Party. I have represented the people of Pennsylvania.
I have decided to run for re-election in 2010 in the Democratic primary.
I am ready, willing and anxious to take on all comers and have my candidacy for re-election determined in a general election.
I deeply regret that I will be disappointing many friends and supporters. I can understand their disappointment. I am also disappointed that so many in the Party I have worked for for more than four decades do not want me to be their candidate. It is very painful on both sides. I thank specially Senators McConnell and Cornyn for their forbearance.
I am not making this decision because there are no important and interesting opportunities outside the Senate. I take on this complicated run for re-election because I am deeply concerned about the future of our country and I believe I have a significant contribution to make on many of the key issues of the day, especially medical research. NIH funding has saved or lengthened thousands of lives, including mine, and much more needs to be done. And my seniority is very important to continue to bring important projects vital to Pennsylvania’s economy.
I am taking this action now because there are fewer than thirteen months to the 2010 Pennsylvania Primary and there is much to be done in preparation for that election. Upon request, I will return campaign contributions contributed during this cycle.
While each member of the Senate caucuses with his Party, what each of us hopes to accomplish is distinct from his party affiliation. The American people do not care which Party solves the problems confronting our nation. And no Senator, no matter how loyal he is to his Party, should or would put party loyalty above his duty to the state and nation.
My change in party affiliation does not mean that I will be a party-line voter any more for the Democrats that I have been for the Republicans. Unlike Senator Jeffords’ switch which changed party control, I will not be an automatic 60th vote for cloture. For example, my position on Employees Free Choice (Card Check) will not change.
Whatever my party affiliation, I will continue to be guided by President Kennedy’s statement that sometimes Party asks too much. When it does, I will continue my independent voting and follow my conscience on what I think is best for Pennsylvania and America.
- from here
Sources tell the Associated Press that Sen. Arlen Specter, Republican of Pennsylvania, intends to become a Democrat.
The husband of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin says the Republican Party’s lavish spending on her wardrobe during the presidential campaign was “out of our control.” In the May issue of Men’s Journal, Todd Palin was asked about the more than $150,000 that the Republican National Committee spent on clothes, accessories and beauty services for the GOP vice presidential nominee. He defended his wife, saying she was focused on preparation for her debate with Joe Biden. “She never went to Saks, or any of that stuff,” he said. “You come into a campaign late, you put all your trust into the team, you got people who are working on VP ops for a long time, and we’re just focused on debate prep. I couldn’t give a rat’s (expletive) about clothes. Please. I mean these are my Sunday go-to-meeting jeans!” – From Fox News
And so, the GOP has died at the age of 154. Like the Federalists, Whigs, Free-Soilers, Know-Nothings, Bull-Moosers, and Dixiecrats before them, they fade into history. It is now for the Reagan Conservatives to take up the mantle of leadership, build a new party, and reclaim the legacy of our founding fathers; to demand a return to constitutional government, a repeal of the income tax, a return to sound money, and an end to strangling government regulation that has brought us to the brink of ruin. – from Examiner
Mike Duncan shares his vision for the Republican Party.
Though a handful of other contenders are already eying his job, Republican National Committee chairman Mike Duncan announced his re-election bid on Wednesday, vowing a return to the party’s “core conservative principles.”
In an e-mail to members of the R.N.C., Mr. Duncan expressed optimism about the future of the party and pledged to roll out a 10-point plan to strengthen it. But in a YouTube video on his Web site, MikeForChairman.com, he acknowledged what may be his biggest liability – his leadership of the party during a period of stinging electoral defeats. – from NYTimes
The man who oversaw the Republican Party during the past election is running to keep his job. Republican National Committee Chairman Mike Duncan announced that in a video this week. Although his party lost, Duncan tells Steve Inskeep that the party’s organization is stronger than pundits predicted. – from NPR