Arlen Leaves; Too Bad He's Still A Democrat

John Fielding

Arlen Specter, showing that principle and steadfastness for which he has justly become famous, has taken a formal walk on the Republican Party, a walk that he had taken operationally years ago.

I had just moved to Philadelphia in August of 1980 when it was time for the Senatorial election between Specter and Peter Flaherty. I was not a Republican committeeman at the time (although I had registered Republican and joined the New Jersey Libertarian Party in 1972). But my instincts were still good. I voted for Flaherty.

In fact, after Specter made his announcement, I pondered the number of times I had actually voted for Specter: once. In 1986, Specter ran against Bob Edgar, a legislator from the Southeast,who was reeeeeeaaaaaallllly liberal. That, plus the fact that Specter had promised to support Reagan's judicial nominees, led me to vote for Specter.

Then, he turned on Bork. It was the first, and last, time I voted for Specter.

I am a veeeeerrrrrry conservative Republican. But on any given day on any given issue, I am as tempted to compromise by siding with other, more liberal, Republicans just as I am to give in to my old conservative compatriots who, being more conservative and not being in the Republican Party, tug on my other arm.

Fact is, the Republican Party needs a housecleaning. I would rather have Gideon's 300 than an entire army if I can count on those 300. After the Goldwater election of 1964, came the GOP gains in 1966. And when the GOP has made gains, it has been when they have returned to their core conservative principles. When GOP has lost, it is because it has fallen prey to the siren song of the "strange new respect" chorus from the elitist left. The GOP needs to politely decline proffered advice from those that have never meant it any good.

So, if Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins, and that has been (or never was), Christine Todd Whitman, don't like it, they can follow Arlen. Regrettably, we in Pennsylvania can't do much to affect that. We've done enough good for one election cycle.

Further, I predict that if Specter gets the Democratic nomination, and Toomey wins the GOP nod, Toomey wins in November. If my progressive friends think that is unrealistic, think about how many Obama Democrats vote in off-year elections. think Saxby Chambliss.