Specter joins the Dems

[Platapus]

Well before getting too excited about whether there will be 60 Democrats or no in the Senate, please remember that it takes 60 votes to invoke cloture in the Senate. Not 60 Democrats. Just 60 votes

Specifically, since 1975 three-fifths of those Senators "duly chosen and sworn"

All Democrats do not vote alike. There can be 60 Democrats in the Senate and they can still fail to invoke cloture if some of the Democrats disagree (Senators have a habit of doing that)

Likewise, if the Democrats do not have 60 members in the Senate, they still may be able to invoke cloture if some of the Republicans or Independents decide to vote in favour of cloture.

The fixation on the number 60 is sophistry as it presumes that all Senators always vote with their party all the time. And this just does not happen.

So the chances of the Democrats defeating a filibuster after Spector becomes a Democrat are pretty close to the chances the Democrats had of defeating a filibuster before Spector became a Democrat.

In the Senate there is no such thing as a "filibuster proof majority"

The best or worst that can be said is that party X is now more likely to be able to invoke cloture then they were before.

[SteamWake]

All true but it makes it much more likely. As of late both sides of the aisle have been more or less in lockstep with their own agendas.

Honestly Spector is not a great loss since he was a rino anyhow.

His main motive evidently was he dident have a chance of remaining in office as a republican.

[Platapus]

That can sometimes backfire. Sometimes the citizens don't like their representatives jumping parties like that.

There is a quality to commitment.

[Aramike]

Specter is the embodiment of everything that is wrong with American politics. A quote from him:

"I am unwilling to have my twenty-nine year Senate record judged by the Pennsylvania Republican primary electorate."

He's specifically dodging accountability to his constituents - and saying he's UNWILLING to be judged by his record.

Specter's been a RINO for years, so this isn't really going to impact anything. However, his statements and perception of the purpose of the Senate is a complete outrage.

[Platapus]

Originally Posted by Aramike

Specter is the embodiment of everything that is wrong with American politics. A quote from him:He's specifically dodging accountability to his constituents - and saying he's UNWILLING to be judged by his record.

Specter's been a RINO for years, so this isn't really going to impact anything. However, his statements and perception of the purpose of the Senate is a complete outrage.

Read what he said. He is actually saying that he is unwilling to be judged by the Penn Republican primary electorate

Republican does not equal everyone

Senators are supposed to represent their entire state, not just their political party.

That is the purpose of the Senate.

[SteamWake]

Talk about hypocrasy.

Spector was just saying a month or so that he would 'never' change parties that he "Thought it important to have a balance in the senate".

I guess getting re-elected is more important than either representing his people or party allegiance.

[Platapus]

Originally Posted by SteamWake

Talk about hypocrasy.

Spector was just saying a month or so that he would 'never' change parties that he "Thought it important to have a balance in the senate".

I guess getting re-elected is more important than either representing his people or party allegiance.

You mean he is a politician who would lie to get reelected???

Oh my, what ever has become of US politics.

[August]

Originally Posted by Platapus

Read what he said. He is actually saying that he is unwilling to be judged by the Penn Republican primary electorate

Republican does not equal everyone

Senators are supposed to represent their entire state, not just their political party.

That is the purpose of the Senate.

But apparently he IS willing to be judged by the Penn Democrat party electorate?

I see this as a last ditch effort to save his career. He's not Dem enough for the Democrats.

[Max2147]

Originally Posted by August

But apparently he IS willing to be judged by the Penn Democrat party electorate?

I see this as a last ditch effort to save his career. He's not Dem enough for the Democrats.

But it looks like this move will please the Dems enough to discourage anybody serious from running against him in the primary.

[Aramike]

Originally Posted by Platapus

Read what he said. He is actually saying that he is unwilling to be judged by the Penn Republican primary electorate

Republican does not equal everyone

Senators are supposed to represent their entire state, not just their political party.

That is the purpose of the Senate.

I did read what he said. Now, you should read what I said.

In case you forgot, the Republicans are the ones who elected him. Now, he's avoiding their judgement on his record.

Senators are supposed to represent the people who elect them, because in order to be elected, that's the majority.

[AVGWarhawk]

nough said.....

[Platapus]

Originally Posted by Aramike

Senators are supposed to represent the people who elect them, because in order to be elected, that's the majority.

Do you have a citation to back up you viewpoint?

Are you sure Senators are not supposed to represent their entire state?

In all my government studies, I have never come across any citation that states that Senators only represent the people who voted for him or her.