Arlen Specter is crossing the aisle

[KSig RC]

Originally Posted by srmom

You know, the problem I have with this changing of parties during your term (whether it be by Repubs or Dems - Spector and Leiberman) is that you were elected in your district by people and supported by the party from which you ran.

I know I may be naive, but supposedly, we live in a democracy, where you are elected as a representative of your constituents, and you vote and act for their interests while in Congress.

What does ANY of this have to do with party affiliation? Does party affiliation really have anything to do with voting in their interests?

If you're going to play the ideal-world card, then voting along party lines kind of craps in the punch bowl.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by KSig RC

If you're going to play the ideal-world card, then voting along party lines kind of craps in the punch bowl.

Maybe, maybe not. Some constituents vote for the person, others vote for the party. To many (very many, I would hazard to guess) constituents what matters is that they are represented by a Democrat or a Republican. Who that Democrat or Republican is may be of secondary importance.