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The lead RINO flees...

Today  Pennsylvania Senator Arlen Specter stated he will officially move from the Republican to Democratic Party.

This is surprising for Republicans, who didn’t realize that Specter wasn’t already a Democrat.

Specter, like most politicians, is a liar.  An excellent piece from David Broder gives an accounting Specter the Defector’s entire career…and just goes to prove my point.  Just a month ago, he promised that he was not considering changing parties. Apparently, Vice President Joe Biden was key in helping Specter defect.   Of course, Specter has been the king of the Rhinos (RINO), so no surprise here.  President Obama has already called to congratulate him.  And then, in glorious fashion, reporters outside of Specter’s office applauded when he made the announcement…yeah, that nonpartisan media, don’t you know.

I have met Specter on multiple occasions.  I used to live with several of his staff members in D.C. in the late nineties.  Specter was always a blowhard.  Frankly, other than in name only, he has been of no use to the Republicans for years.  Specter finally appears to have called it quits when former Congressman Pat Toomey declared for the Republican nomination, and is polling well over 50%.   In 2004, he barely won the primary against Toomey – 51% to 49%. Toomey is running against him in 2010.  The irony is that Specter may not be able to win the Democratic nomination either.  Now, I really wish Chris Matthews would run…now that would be a glorious Democratic nomination race.  And now Specter says he will not switch positions on Card Check, which seems rather odd, even to liberals on the DailyKos:

Interestingly, he remains a foe of EFCA, which means that labor is free to fund and help a real Democrat in the Democratic primary. Bizarre choice. Had he decided to back EFCA, as he has always done so in the past, he’d have labor’s full support. Now, he gives the opposition an opening to take him out in the Democratic primary.

Liberals seem to think Toomey is unelectable statewide.  I wouldn’t be so sure.  Additionally, many lead GOP leaders were lining up to back Specter.  Michael Steele included…although he is now talking smack.  Lindsey Graham is in tears…while Jim Demint is more than happy to show Specter the door. The public, especially the right, was strongly against Specter.  And the Republicans are already hitting below the belt: they make not that Specter was endorsed by, of all people, George W. Bush. Now that is low…

Of course, the only bad thing is that he provides the critical 60th vote for a filibuster proof Senate.  Of course, he was already voting with the Democrats, so I am uncertain of what real difference this makes. But this may end the need for reconciliation for the Democrats, which would have been a terrible step.  Of course, for the rest of his term, Specter likely may be the most powerful Senator alive…he can make the final determination on every bill that comes through.

Republicans are gleeful…just look at the blogosphere.  The media will talk about the degenerating Republican Party.  I don’t care.  It does us no good to have a ‘big tent’ party that has no core.  Specter has shown that he will blow with the wind, on any issue, at any time.  This was just the final example of that.  I am sure that people like Olympia Snowe, John McCain, all the other RINOs may consider the switch to the left side of the aisle.  I say, if they don’t feel comfortable in the Republican Party, there is the door.  At this point, it doesn’t matter all that much.

Not all Democrats are happy.  Majority Leader Harry Reid promised Specter seniority when he made the switch.  The problem?  That would give him more seniority than long time Democrats such as Sens. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.) and Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.).  Some Democratic caucus members are saying they will vote against Specter’s seniority.

Yeah, politically in the short term it hurts.  But long term, this is a positive for Republicans, and I doubt there will be too many Republican tears or lamenting tonight.