Sen. Specter Gains Conservative Support
By Adam C Posted in 2008 — Comments (4) / Email this page » / Leave a comment »
Given the drop in support for the GOP and Sen. Santorum's blow-out loss, it probably isn't surprising that Sen. Specter is less likely to see a primary challenge in 2010. Furthermore, since Republicans will be in the minority in 2010 (perhaps 45 Rs), there should be more focus on winning back some other seats (although 2010 doesn't have a lot of R opportunities).
However, it is still notable that Grover Norquist has gone from hater to support with respect to Sen. Specter. And it is notable because it was based on policy changes:
Specter's New Friend
Anti-tax activist Grover Norquist, who was a fierce opponent of Sen. Arlen Specter's Republican renomination in his 2004 bid for a fifth term from Pennsylvania, is now his strong supporter for a sixth term in 2010.Norquist has changed his stand because of Specter's backing for two standbys of Norquist's Americans for Tax Reform (ATR): business expense deductions and a flat income tax. Norquist traveled with Specter and spoke for him in Pennsylvania April 14 at three town meetings and two fund-raisers. Specter returned the favor April 15, appearing at the ATR tax-day news conference in the National Press Building in Washington.
That's right... Sen. Specter supports a flat tax!
he does it every election cycle and than drops back to his "moderate" stance.
Freedom of Religion not Freedom from Religion
And PA is moderate to center-left, so good on the Rs for having a moderate.
More importantly (and looking through my glass half full spectacles), that means a flat tax is now being adopted by "moderates" which is good news indeed.
Hope more moderates follow suit... Arnold, Bloomberg, Collins, Pryor, Nelson... I'm looking at you.
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But that's not really what's happened lately. In past years, I might agree, but in this case, he's acted more conservative during his entire last term. And if he's "running right" for the election, it's too early.
I think Specter sees himself as the "honest broker" between the parties. I think his behavior as of late shows that he thinks the D's have been particularly bad lately.
"I ain't never votin' fo another Democrat so long as I can draw breath! I'll vote for a dog first!" - Leola Thomas
Specter has moved, or at the very least more loudly signaled, to the right lately. I'm not sure if that's for political survival, or if it's because he's been appalled by the behavior of the Democrats lately.
I honestly think its a little bit of both.
"I ain't never votin' fo another Democrat so long as I can draw breath! I'll vote for a dog first!" - Leola Thomas