Arlen Specter deserves this loss. Joe Sestak is no FDR, but he is closer to the traditional Democrat of old than the Senate’s top party-switcher. And it may show that Democrats — or at least the Democratic grassroots — is ready to shake off the cobwebs.
Apparently, if Arlen Specter wants to be a Democrat — and I think the jury is still out on whether that is what he really wants — he is going to have to earn his perks. That’s the message that Senate Democrats sent their new colleague today, voting to deny the 29-year veteran seniority on five committees. Given his recent votes and statements — he is opposing the Employee Free Choice Act, voted against the president’s budget and his almost aggressive nose-thumbing at his new colleagues — it probably was important to send the new Democrat a message.
Specter’s initial warm welcome from his new party has given way to a more tepid greeting, as liberal groups chafe at Specter’s continued opposition to key elements of the party agenda — like the $3.4 trillion budget, which he voted against last week, and the Employee Free Choice Act.
Specter did little to ingratiate himself with his new party colleagues over the weekend, when he disputed a Wall Street Journal report that said he promised President Barack Obama he would loyally support his agenda.
“I did not say I would be a loyal Democrat. I did not say that,” Specter insisted Sunday on “Meet the Press.”
So, what exactly does he bring to the table for the Dems?
If Specter was being principled, rather than just seeking to save his political life, he would have done what Joe Lieberman did (did I actually just write that?) and run as an independent, rather than switching party affiliation but acting like his old Republican self.
And the Democrats, reviewing Specter’s not-as-moderate-as-he-says record, would have extracted a lot more promises from him — like support for EFCA.
But we’re talking about Washington, a city where party affiliation is more important than almost everything else.
Hank Kalet 