Breaking: Specter commits to opposing Card Check
posted at 2:10 pm on March 24, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
According to Americans for Tax Reform, Senator Arlen Specter has committed to voting against cloture and passage of the Employee Free Choice Act, better known as Card Check. In a message to a conservative listserv, ATR announced Specter’s opposition, a switch from his declared position in previous sessions of Congress:
Senator Specter has confirmed to ATR that he will vote against both cloture and passage on the Employee Free Choice Act (also known as “card check” or the employee NO choice act). His vote is critical and this a major victory for freedom, as well as a stunning defeat for the other side.
Thank you Senator Specter!
I’d guess that Specter understands the dilemma in which he finds himself after his vote on Porkulus. He’s rumored to be thinking about a Joe Lieberman-like run as an independent, because his polling among Pennsylvania Republicans has plummeted ever since. He wants to convince the state GOP to run an open primary, because Pat Toomey will clobber him if the primaries remain closed and independents and Democrats don’t get an opportunity to support him.
Without Specter, Card Check is toast. They need at least two Republicans to get cloture, and that’s supposing that they can get all the Democrats to stick with them. They’ve already lost a few, though, and Specter’s opposition won’t bring them back.
Blowback
Note from Hot Air management: This section is for comments from Hot Air's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that Hot Air management agrees with or otherwise endorses any particular comment just because we let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with our terms of use may lose their posting privilege.
Trackbacks/Pings
Trackback URL
Comments
Comment pages: 1 2 Next »
Too little too late Arlen. You’re going down.
Iblis on March 24, 2009 at 2:10 PM
Well, (very) faint praise for Specter here.
I think Specter is toast, but if he scrambles to the right in an attempt to save his job, I’ll take it. And still hope Toomey wins!
Vanceone on March 24, 2009 at 2:11 PM
That’s nice. Now bury the old, backstabbing buzzard.
jdub on March 24, 2009 at 2:12 PM
wonder how long till he Flips?
5…4…3…2…
upinak on March 24, 2009 at 2:13 PM
Haaaa. Suck it Pelosi!
marklmail on March 24, 2009 at 2:13 PM
A good move. Very obviously a desperate move, but a good one nonetheless.
sherry on March 24, 2009 at 2:13 PM
JoJo – Too Little, Too Late
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on March 24, 2009 at 2:13 PM
Well, how ’bout that.
Weight of Glory on March 24, 2009 at 2:13 PM
Craven self-preservation, Thy name is Arlen Specter.
OhioCoastie on March 24, 2009 at 2:13 PM
Maybe Arlen has come to realize if Barry and San Fran Nan are for something, it’s 100% wrong for the good ol’ USA…
I doubt it, but there’s hope, despite all of Barry’s Leninist actions…
phreshone on March 24, 2009 at 2:14 PM
Methinks he’s finally realized exactly how much he screwed himself by his vote on the stimulus bill…
I think we’ve got enough evidence to get past a “Not Proven” verdict on him.
teke184 on March 24, 2009 at 2:14 PM
I don’t trust Specter. He is a liar and I believe he will go back on his word.
sheebe on March 24, 2009 at 2:14 PM
Maybe it just dawned on him that he wants to re elected next cycle. Good luck sh!t stain, not gonna happen. Little too late.
milwife88 on March 24, 2009 at 2:14 PM
He can scramble to the right all he wants it doesn’t wipe out all the RINO turds he left in his wake.
YOU’RE GOIN’ DOWN RINO!!
Bicyea on March 24, 2009 at 2:15 PM
Let’s put the Obambi-bankrupting-the-USA bill you voted for on one side of the scale and this on the other.
You lose.
AubieJon on March 24, 2009 at 2:16 PM
Go Figure.
PappaMac on March 24, 2009 at 2:17 PM
He’s not doing this because it’s the right thing to do….but because it’s the right thing thing to do for him.
BobMbx on March 24, 2009 at 2:17 PM
Now, now–we should all praise Specter on this. Yes, this is a blatant self-preservation attempt on Specter’s part. And no, he can’t be trusted farther than we could throw him–less than that, even. But if he shapes up as a Republican for once in his miserable career, then I say we encourage him to spend his last two years being somewhat useful.
If I was in Pennsylvania, I’d vote against him…. but seeing the light should be encouraged. Time enough to badmouth him once he screws up again. And he will……
Vanceone on March 24, 2009 at 2:17 PM
While the stimulus was stupid, there were some fanciful hopes that it would do some good.
Some things, like card check, are so inane that even the largest of RINOs cannot ultimately support them, assuming they have at least a measure of sanity.
Grafted on March 24, 2009 at 2:18 PM
Benedict Arlen’s reelection prospects will keep dropping, and at some point he’ll leave the GOP.
OhioCoastie on March 24, 2009 at 2:19 PM
Card Check must be stopped! When even Specter turns against it, you know it is a really bad piece of legislation.
sarahpalinfan99 on March 24, 2009 at 2:19 PM
If card Check is passed it will devastate companies, businesses. Down with the Unions. Unions need to go!
sheebe on March 24, 2009 at 2:21 PM
Strange timing. He can’t really think that those who left him over the porkulus are coming back due to this, can he?
Vashta.Nerada on March 24, 2009 at 2:22 PM
China needs card check. Arlen Sphincter is just being a protectionist now.
seven on March 24, 2009 at 2:23 PM
Thank God he found that page in his Scottish Law book
jjshaka on March 24, 2009 at 2:23 PM
I guess he figures Obama will eventually close down Pennsylvania’s coal plants and Obama’s meddling in the private sector will end up with all of our steel manufactured overseas ….. so Arlen doesn’t have to appease the big unions here in our state anymore.
It’s a safe move for our cowardly senator.
fogw on March 24, 2009 at 2:24 PM
I believe it when I see it.
bloggless on March 24, 2009 at 2:26 PM
I’ll believe it when I see it. Fool my once yada yada yada
Knucklehead on March 24, 2009 at 2:26 PM
Well that is good news.
The Dem idea of free choice is really screwed up.
Free to kill your unborn but not to vote in private nor choose your own school.
Jamson64 on March 24, 2009 at 2:26 PM
This is exactly what the Democrats want. I do not think any of them actually want card check, but they have taken so much union money they can not admit it. Now when the Bill goes down in flames they can report back to the AFL / CIO that they really tried and will receive more Union money in the next cycle. Talk about playing politics.
Guest1.1 on March 24, 2009 at 2:27 PM
his word means nothing to me.
i look forward to voting for toomey.
patriette on March 24, 2009 at 2:27 PM
He hasn’t voted YET. It ain’t over until the fat lady sings.
johnsteele on March 24, 2009 at 2:30 PM
Listen: the dog peed on the carpet and now he’s scratching at the door to get back in – so he can pee on the carpet again. Don’t let him back in.
AubieJon on March 24, 2009 at 2:30 PM
He must have taken his medicine today.
Wade on March 24, 2009 at 2:32 PM
thank God for that.
I recall George Washington had to fight our Revolutionary War with a constant influx of newly conscripted soldiers always requiring his efforts not only to get enlistments, but the difficulty in retraining, holding back his efforts to win by perfectly executing his grand designs.
Having someone show up for a battle is a matter to be glad for–though you want to place them in front of you for the obvious reason of not being abandoned without realizing it in the thick of things, or being the target in the aide’s gun sights “meant” for the “enemy”.
I’d rather Specter vote against Card Check, and so would you. Thank goodness we’re not trying to pull his teeth on this.
maverick muse on March 24, 2009 at 2:33 PM
Exactly.
Save the rancor for the ballot box.
Meanwhile, Spencer’s the one voting.
maverick muse on March 24, 2009 at 2:36 PM
SpencerSpectermaverick muse on March 24, 2009 at 2:37 PM
The act of a desperate man trying to save his arse.
We all know how good ‘ol Arlen would vote if he weren’t in trouble back at home.
catmman on March 24, 2009 at 2:37 PM
Just a guess, but I’ll bet he knew of at least 3 or 4 DEMOCRAT Senators who opposed this….
So, even IF he supported it, it could not pass.
Thus, his “principaled” position…
Can’t make deals with the Dems if they your vote does not matter anyway.
Romeo13 on March 24, 2009 at 2:38 PM
Did someone finally explain to specter that the R behind his name does not stand for retard, as in ‘retard’ the republicans movement to take over in 2010 and 2012?
Still gonna be looking for a job, Phil. I hear Murtha needs a ballwasher.
HornetSting on March 24, 2009 at 2:40 PM
in case you didn’t already connect the dots… had Spector’s little trial balloon about tweaking with his upcoming election had been received favorably in the GOP caucus, he would come out in support of this.
gatorboy on March 24, 2009 at 2:40 PM
HornetSting on March 24, 2009 at 2:40 PM
Obama, is that you?
gatorboy on March 24, 2009 at 2:40 PM
Hence the explanation for the word ‘retard’, look it up in the dictionary, you know that big book you avoid….you jumped the shark.
HornetSting on March 24, 2009 at 2:42 PM
He forgot his daily dose of Hopium?
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on March 24, 2009 at 2:43 PM
…unless Barry promises him some ACORN cemetary & park bench double-voters in exchange (often and early)
Laura in Maryland on March 24, 2009 at 2:44 PM
Wow Arlen “Magic Bullet” Specter does the right thing for once. He’s still a slime-ball.
Maxx on March 24, 2009 at 2:44 PM
Dang!
Laura in Maryland on March 24, 2009 at 2:47 PM
Over? Did you say, “over”?
Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?
connertown on March 24, 2009 at 2:48 PM
.
Saying is not doing!! And – YES – He’s still a slime-ball!!
Hal-9000 on March 24, 2009 at 2:49 PM
I suspect it’s also a reaction to the “all-or-nothing” play by Card Check supporters.
A middle ground of sorts was offered, rejected, and now the two opposing camps have a wiiiide no-man’s-land between them.
Even Specter doesn’t want to cross that field alone.
cs89 on March 24, 2009 at 2:50 PM
.
NO – It was over when we dropped two big ones on Germany!!
Hal-9000 on March 24, 2009 at 2:51 PM
I averted my eyes and hoped he meant golf balls.
AubieJon on March 24, 2009 at 2:51 PM
Obama has his ACORN toadies riding out to CT to chase down AIG execs. Steele should do something useful and charter a Trailways full of Tea Party types and send them out to Specter’s home in PA or DC (or wherever he spends his weekends) every weekend until the Card Check vote–just to keep the pressure on him.
And after conservatives get what little they can from this POS, flush him down the toilet with the Tidy-Bowl man.
BuckeyeSam on March 24, 2009 at 2:51 PM
Phil? You mean Phil Spector, the record producer on trial for murder? The “R” behind Phil’s name is for “Ramones”.
You must be on the wrong blog board. We’re talking about Arlen Specter. Douchebag.
connertown on March 24, 2009 at 2:53 PM
You’re new here, aren’t you? Stuff it.
AubieJon on March 24, 2009 at 3:00 PM
Nope…been here for quite a while. Who are you?
connertown on March 24, 2009 at 3:00 PM
SHE meant golf balls, you dirty birds! :)
HornetSting on March 24, 2009 at 3:06 PM
Someone who’s been posting here long enough to recognize a newbie who jumps on a regular poster – and a female poster at that – for missing a simple name.
AubieJon on March 24, 2009 at 3:08 PM
Bingo.
Too late Arlen.
petefrt on March 24, 2009 at 3:08 PM
Douchebag, well, I have made mistakes before, but never been called a douchebag for it…I was watching Fox and must have crossed my lines….so, EFF YOU TOO, douchebag!
Who are YOU, anyway, get in with the rest of the trolls last go around?
Respect the board and the posters, douchebag.
HornetSting on March 24, 2009 at 3:08 PM
Thank you, AubieJon. :)
HornetSting on March 24, 2009 at 3:09 PM
S.S. Arlen Specter, meet Mr.Iceberg.
(Note: rearranging the deck furniture at this time, as the band plays on, is futile.)
Yoop on March 24, 2009 at 3:11 PM
Politically expedient position changing when your political balls are in the fryer.
No difference to me. I am donating to whoever opposes this son of a RINO who voted to screw our childeren’s future and burden them with porkulus debt till the day they die.
SCREW YOU ARLEN YOU STILL SUCK!
BillaryMcBush on March 24, 2009 at 3:11 PM
I’m not a newbie. Been here over two years, and I don’t recognize your name either.
HornetSting’s comment seemed to indicate a preference for Murtha over Specter. I’m a retired veteran, and don’t appreciate that very much.
Secondly, HornetSting referenced the wrong “Spector” with his “Phil” comment. I thought I made a funny comeback to that faux-pas. The “douchebag” comment was harsh, I admit, but this is a blog isn’t it?
I’m not familiar with HornetSting’s intentions, but it seemed to me that he was in favor of Murtha, so I took a cheap shot. HornetSting can defend himself. As can I.
connertown on March 24, 2009 at 3:12 PM
And while we are at it get rid of the idiot sisters collins and snowe
BillaryMcBush on March 24, 2009 at 3:13 PM
I’m not familiar with HornetSting’s intentions, but it seemed to me that
heshe was in favor of Murtha, so I took a cheap shot. HornetSting can defendhimselfherself. As can I.connertown on March 24, 2009 at 3:14 PM
Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee! ;-)
Yoop on March 24, 2009 at 3:15 PM
George Will wrote today:
jgapinoy on March 24, 2009 at 3:16 PM
Maybe he meant
“We are talking about Arlen Spector – Douchebag”.
The adjective, not the noun.
Maybe.
aquaviva on March 24, 2009 at 3:16 PM
HornetSting is a she.
Defend yourself? Just go ahead and admit that what you say was a joke was about as funny as a turd in the punchbowl and drop it.
You’re new. Stop pretending.
AubieJon on March 24, 2009 at 3:16 PM
…so the Dems are big hypocrites.
jgapinoy on March 24, 2009 at 3:16 PM
First of all, thank you for your service to our country.
Second of all, if you were a regular blogger, you would KNOW that I am a woman. I believe Aubie advised you of that.
Third of all, I made a mistake, was watching Fox, listening to Rush and blogging, so excuse my mistake of using Phil’s instead of Arlen’s name. I didn’t know we were being graded. Most regular posters know what you mean and don’t call you a douchebag for your mistake. That kind of language is reserved for our resident trolls.
Fourth of all, again, if you were a regular poster and you knew me, you would know that I am a conservative and in that, I am proud of our troops and support them, that I believe in smaller government, less taxes, protection of life, enforcement of our borders because my husband too protects the homeland, and that any disparaging against our troops and law enforcement will get a very harsh comment from me, usually with threat of bodily harm.
I do not like murtha, nor do I favor murtha. I believe that a ‘republican’, or rino, if you will, that betrays his own party and his constiuents by voting with the democrats is lower than even a democrats. Democrats are too stupid to know that they are destroying the country. Rinos, or specter, knows what he is doing and yet, is more than happy to sell himself to the highest bidder.
I can defend myself, but it is nice to see fellow bloggers that are regulars also come to my defense.
HornetSting on March 24, 2009 at 3:20 PM
If Specter wants to play nice now, then he should be played like a fiddle and then thrown out when we are done with him.
cjs1943 on March 24, 2009 at 3:22 PM
Now he votes correctly, since his re-election bid in in trouble.
lwssdd on March 24, 2009 at 3:23 PM
Good Lord. Please take it easy and get back on topic. You screwed up your reference, and I made a funny. Did anyone freakin’ get the “Ramones” part of it? Crimany, I had to look for a funny “R” reference, and all I get is grief over calling someone else out.
It sounded like you were OK with Murtha in your comment, so I figured you for a troll. I can’t stand Murtha. I have a day job, and don’t comment much. But you guys don’t own the board, so will you take it easy with the “troll” call out. Trolls feed on that stuff, so what’s the point in engaging them.
connertown on March 24, 2009 at 3:23 PM
Breaking News:
HornetSting is a troll.
HornetSting on March 24, 2009 at 3:24 PM
Maybe you should get a reading comprehension book, then. And, oh yeah, most of us have a day job too, just don’t work for the man…..
HornetSting on March 24, 2009 at 3:26 PM
But, YOU made the mistake in “calling out a troll”. Then flung an insult.
HornetSting is no troll, and doesn’t deserve the insult.
Saying “it’s a blog” so it must be ok, doesn’t cut it.
So apologize to Hornet Sting and it’ll be dropped.
Thank you for your service to your country.
aquaviva on March 24, 2009 at 3:27 PM
I spend LOTS of time here at Hot Air. So I consider myself a regular too, just not a “regular commenter”.
I’m sure it feels good to be defended. I can tell you it sure sucks being attacked.
connertown on March 24, 2009 at 3:27 PM
Jimmy Hoffa was unavailable for comment
Wade on March 24, 2009 at 3:31 PM
Yeah right.
I’ll believe it when I see it. As far as I’m concerned, Specter is not only in bed with Obama, Pelosi, and Reid, he’s also the catcher.
leetpriest on March 24, 2009 at 3:31 PM
Yeah, it does. You just dipped your toe in shark infested waters.
HornetSting on March 24, 2009 at 3:32 PM
In this case “half of nothing” is still something. Of course, all it probably does is give the two or three dems that would have probably voted against it cover to support it.
duff65 on March 24, 2009 at 3:33 PM
aquaviva on March 24, 2009 at 3:27 PM
For the record, I never called anyone a troll. I was being called a troll. I made the mistake of assuming she was. But my only error was the insult, not the troll call-out.
If I apologize, will someone tells me they laughed at my “Ramones” comment?
Do I get an apology too for 1) being called a troll, 2) the “EFF YOU” comment and 3)saying “maybe you should get a reading comprehension book”?
When does the piling on stop?
connertown on March 24, 2009 at 3:35 PM
As the saying goes even a broken clock is right twice a day. With this development I doubt Reid will even bring it up for a vote and just quietly shelve it since he is nowhere near having sixty votes.
goat on March 24, 2009 at 3:36 PM
So, my question is this. I know arlen had a lot of calls to his office during the stimulus bill. The reason, we were looking for alternate numbers to call and give our opinion so that he would reconsider his position of voting for it. I don’t even live in PA, but I called both he and snowe,collins and gave my opinion. On most of the numbers, it was busy or the voicemail was full. I KNOW his constiuents voiced their displeasure. What was arlen given by obama and reid for his vote.
NOW, he decides that his vote should be with his party…..again, I’m sure he receieved a lot of calls.
WHY WAS HE DEAF TO OUR VOICES ON THE PORK BILL and now, decides to vote against card check. I smell a rat.
Are they holding out on him, will he turn at the last minute? He knows he is up against the wall with republicans….
HornetSting on March 24, 2009 at 3:37 PM
My guess is follow-the-money. Somebody had something, real important to somebody, buried real deep in those 8,000+ earmarks.
Yoop on March 24, 2009 at 3:53 PM
From NRO… Specter’s stance isn’t exactly based on any firmly held conservative principles (I think Big Labor still has something of Arlen’s “firmly held” however).
mankai on March 24, 2009 at 4:01 PM
connertown on March 24, 2009 at 3:35 PM
no, you don’t get an apology, and no, your ‘joke’ wasn’t funny
what are you a ‘veteran’ of?
Janos Hunyadi on March 24, 2009 at 4:05 PM
Pat Toomey is a good man. He would have won the primary last time around if Pres. Bush hadn’t jumped on his band wagon right at the end. Go, Pat, Go! I’ve already written to Sen. Specter and told him I will vote for anyone who opposes him! We need real conservatives in office!
Paul K. on March 24, 2009 at 4:24 PM
It’s amazing how quickly politicians see the “light” when there meal ticket is threatened. How all of a sudden they embrace values that will get them elected, and turn there back on values they have embraced…greedy little monsters.
right2bright on March 24, 2009 at 4:26 PM
He started off by claiming he wasn’t a newbie, when clearly all of us who post here regularly knew he was. So he has already established himself as a phony.
fogw on March 24, 2009 at 4:29 PM
USNR, 1988-1992
Operation Desert Shield
Exxon Valdez Operaion in Prince William Sound
Two WESTPAC deployments
Nine ribbons, five of which are medals (but “Expert Pistol” is kind of a cheap “medal”.
Oh, and “Ramones” was funny.
connertown on March 24, 2009 at 4:30 PM
He voted for the Pork bill because he could…he was never taken to the woodshed before, so he figured he could cozy up to the “powers” and get a pass, as he has always depended on.
Now he has felt the backlash, he crossed the line and he is going to lose his job. Even if he was sincere, I would advocate voting him out as an example of what happens to rino’s.
right2bright on March 24, 2009 at 4:32 PM
Let me set the record straight…I know funny, and you are not funny…
right2bright on March 24, 2009 at 4:33 PM
wow it’s like he has a primary fight coming up or something
angryed on March 24, 2009 at 4:40 PM
right2bright on March 24, 2009 at 4:33 PM
Thanks. Got it.
Can we agree that Iowahawk is damn funny?
connertown on March 24, 2009 at 4:42 PM
Comment pages: 1 2 Next »