Arlen Specter is crossing the aisle

[srmom]

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

Forget the party affiliation of the people who voted for him (although in my idealism, I would hope that they and their wishes would be considered). But, in the real world of politics - just ask this - who funded his campaign? Did the Democrat Party organization in his district fund his latest campaign? I don't think so...

And, if the bulk of the people who voted for you sent you up there to supposedly represent their "conservative" or "moderate" positions on issues, then jumping ship to the other side just because it looks like you are going to lose the next primary is disingenuous at best, and outright con-artist like at worst.

I am not saying that one must vote along party lines - I'm saying that a representative should "represent" his constituency, not do the expedient thing to get reelected..

[madmax]

Originally Posted by srmom

Forget the party affiliation of the people who voted for him (although in my idealism, I would hope that they and their wishes would be considered). But, in the real world of politics - just ask this - who funded his campaign? Did the Democrat Party organization in his district fund his latest campaign? I don't think so...

Nice guess but wrong. Specter's key support came from organized labor in Philly which for the most part are Dems.

Originally Posted by srmom

And, if the bulk of the people who voted for you sent you up there to supposedly represent their "conservative" or "moderate" positions on issues, then jumping ship to the other side just because it looks like you are going to lose the next primary is disingenuous at best, and outright con-artist like at worst.

I am not saying that one must vote along party lines - I'm saying that a representative should "represent" his constituency, not do the expedient thing to get reelected..

[deepimpact2]

Originally Posted by srmom

Forget the party affiliation of the people who voted for him (although in my idealism, I would hope that they and their wishes would be considered). But, in the real world of politics - just ask this - who funded his campaign? Did the Democrat Party organization in his district fund his latest campaign? I don't think so...

And, if the bulk of the people who voted for you sent you up there to supposedly represent their "conservative" or "moderate" positions on issues, then jumping ship to the other side just because it looks like you are going to lose the next primary is disingenuous at best, and outright con-artist like at worst.

I am not saying that one must vote along party lines - I'm saying that a representative should "represent" his constituency, not do the expedient thing to get reelected..

Good point.

[madmax]

Originally Posted by srmom

Forget the party affiliation of the people who voted for him (although in my idealism, I would hope that they and their wishes would be considered). But, in the real world of politics - just ask this - who funded his campaign? Did the Democrat Party organization in his district fund his latest campaign? I don't think so...

And, if the bulk of the people who voted for you sent you up there to supposedly represent their "conservative" or "moderate" positions on issues, then jumping ship to the other side just because it looks like you are going to lose the next primary is disingenuous at best, and outright con-artist like at worst.

I am not saying that one must vote along party lines - I'm saying that a representative should "represent" his constituency, not do the expedient thing to get reelected..

Originally Posted by deepimpact2

Good point.

Not a good point.

1. Specter is one of the few Republicans in Eastern Pa that was supported by organized labor aka DEMOCRATS.

2. There was a huge shift in voter registrations in Pa. Many of the middle of the road Republicans already switched parties.

Srmom's point is that Specter owes it to the right that supported him doesn't hold when the fact is a large part of his support came from the LEFT.