Friday, May 1, 2009

Arlen Specter seizes the day - again

By Guian A. McKee
April 30, 2009
SENATOR Arlen Specter is a Democrat - again. As Democrats contemplate the possibility of a "filibuster-proof" Senate majority and Republicans savor their ever-increasing ideological purity, few realize that Specter's dramatic announcement Tuesday actually brought his career full circle. A political pragmatist, Specter started political life as a Democrat, and the story of his initial change 44 years ago could signal the possible consequences of his return.

In early 1965, Specter was an assistant district attorney in Philadelphia and a rising star in the local Democratic Party. A 35-year-old Yale Law School graduate and Warren Commission veteran, Specter appealed to the reform liberals who had captured the Philadelphia mayor's office and city council from a decrepit Republican organization in the early 1950s.
By 1965, these liberals needed a new champion. The first reform mayor, Joseph S. Clark, served one term before running for the US Senate. The second, Richardson Dilworth, resigned during his second term to run (unsuccessfully) for governor in 1962. His successor, James H.J. Tate, alienated the city's still-influential liberals, representing a return to the urban patronage politics they despised. Senator Clark suggested Specter as a possible reform candidate for district attorney - a traditional stepping-stone to the mayor's office.
But party politics blocked Specter's advance as a Democrat. Incumbent District Attorney James Crumlish (who had recommended Specter to the Warren Commission) would not step aside, and Mayor Tate, embroiled in a bitter struggle with both liberals and a rival faction of ward leaders, could not risk a fight with the district attorney. Specter found himself relegated to the Democratic sidelines.
Unwilling to wait his turn among the feuding party regulars, the ambitious Specter accepted the overtures of Republican US Senator Hugh Scott and Governor William Scranton to run for district attorney. Initially, he didn't even change his party registration.
Specter's campaign showed just how far he would go to seize the opportunity. He attacked Crumlish for failing to pursue allegations that Tate had misused city funds, and ran television ads showing a white woman fleeing down a dark city street, heels clicking, as a menacing pursuer advanced from behind. Thus, Specter became one of the first Republicans to seize upon white urbanites' fears about urban crime - and urban racial change. It worked. Specter became the first Republican to win a major Philadelphia office in 14 years.
After Republicans' crushing defeat the previous year, his victory garnered national attention. Washington Post columnists Rowland Evans and Robert Novak observed that Specter's win (along with John Lindsay's in New York) provided "powerful ammunition for the Republican Party's liberal-to-moderate wing, which argues that the Party must nominate a liberal for president in 1968 and let the right wing take a walk."
But Specter's 1965 strategy wasn't about liberalism or conservatism; it was about winning. He adopted a tough anti-corruption, anti-crime stance - which, ironically, partly failed him in the 1967 mayoral race. Tate endorsed Frank Rizzo, Philadelphia's interim police chief, whose aggressive and often racially divisive police tactics appealed to white ethnic voters. Although Specter drew Democratic liberals' support, he lost by 11,000 votes - the closest mayoral contest in city history.
During the 1970s, Specter's gubernatorial and senatorial bids met defeat - but those losses only strengthened his inclination to seize political opportunity. After he finally won election to the Senate in 1980 as a Reagan supporter, he generally adopted centrist positions.
Specter's career has never been about party or ideology - and his history of pragmatic opportunism is good news for Democrats. Although he is unlikely to face a strong primary challenge from the left, he must reinforce his new (or old) Democratic credentials. And while he may be unable to back away from his position on card-check, Specter is likely to find his fate tied closely to Obama's policy agenda on healthcare, cap-and-trade, and other budget priorities. As Specter pursues his own electoral interests once again, just as he did in 1965, the Democrats may well have found the elusive 60th vote in the Senate.

Guian A. McKee is associate professor at the University of Virginia's Miller Center of Public Affairs and the author of "The Problem of Jobs: Liberalism, Race, and Deindustrialization in Postwar Philadelphia."

© Copyright 2009 Globe Newspaper Company.

Blogger Black Buzz says: Pennsylvanians Do Not LikeTurncoat Politicians
Arlen Specter is a political Judas who saw the handwriting on the wall and because of self preservation decided to jump ship. A backroom deal was made between conniving Governor Rendell and the cantankerous Joe Biden and the wishy-washy President Obama to give their support to Specter if he agreed to support their legislative programs and their political agenda. This is just your typical good old boy's network of nurturing and giving support to deadbeats like Specter, when there are far more talented young men and women who are desirous of serving the citizens of the great state of Pennsylvania. Indeed the good old boys in the Democratic and Republican parties in Pennsylvania have a lock on who runs for public office in the State. And Pennsylvanians do not appreciate a sitting Governor nor the President and Vice-president of the United States dictating to them who should run for political office. The vast majority of Democrats in the State of Pennsylvania resent turncoats regardless of their political affiliation. So Mr. Specter, you will have an uphill battle trying to convince Pennsylvanians to vote for you. Arlen, "it's not in the bag" !







28 comments:

Black Buzz said...

Which way is the political wind blowing today Mr. Specter ?

Black Buzz said...

With well over 12,500,000 people in the state of Pennsylvania are we going to let The White House and the Governor of Pennsylvania dictate to us who we should run for the U.S.Senate seat ?

Black Buzz said...

Where is the Pennsylvania Democratic State Committee and why haven't they cultivated and nurtured a new group of young dynamic leaders ?

Black Buzz said...

Hey Joe&Suzie sixpack do you think old boy Specter will switch back to Repubicans once old Boss Hogg Limbaugh Limbaugh steps up the pressure on him ?

Black Buzz said...

The Democrats in the state of Pennsylvania have been tricked and duped by the political hustlers in the White House and the State House in Harrisburg.

Black Buzz said...

Mr. Specter claimed on the Meet The Press Program on sunday May 3,2009 that he never told the "White House that he would be loyal Democrat". Does that mean that Mr. Specter will sabotage Obama's political agenda ? The Democrats in the White House are looking for loyalty.What did the "white House promise old judas Specter ? Is the change the citizens of the Keystone state voted for ?

Black Buzz said...

Senators Specter and Lieberman have two things in common ?

Black Buzz said...

What is the percentage that Mr. Specter voted with his Republican Party on all legislation ? Can you answer this question Mr. Specter ?

Black Buzz said...

Specter says he pro-choice ! Then good people of Pennsylvania ask Mr. Specter why did he vote for the most extremist right wing pro-lifers in the history of the U.S. Supreme Court, Uncle Thomas, Scalia,Alito,Roberts,and Kennedy ? Sounds like Specter is a hypocrite.. Oh! Which way is the political wind blowing today? Ask Arlen !

Black Buzz said...

Specter says he voted against the nomination of Judge Robert Bork but he fails to mention that he voted for Thomas,Scalia,Alito,Roberts,and Kennedy.. And guess what people they are on the bench. Old boy Bork never made it to the U. S.Supreme Court,but he was a mental giant compared to Uncle Thomas.

Black Buzz said...

That's why I'm for term limits for sitting U.S.Senators. This guy Specter feels he entitled to stay in the Senate for life regardless of what party. Three terms in the U.S. Senate is enough time to get wealthy off of the American people.Guys like Specter,Ted Kennedy,old Robert Byrd and my main man Strom Thurmond stay in the senate for such a long period of time that they become their own institutions. How long will the American people tolerate this bias process ?

Black Buzz said...

Is the American electorate suffering from disease myopia ?

Black Buzz said...

Guess who would be my favorite people to invite for dinner ? Michele Bachmann,and Arlen Specter.But I will tell you my good friends I don't have thirty pieces of silver to give Bachmann nor Specter. But I do have some hearty soul food to give them and I understand that Bachmann loves Chitln's,and Collard Greens and Red Beans. Maybe I'll I have some good old Southern Fried Chicken,buttermilk and cornbread to go along with the main course.I'll have to hire the good old Lawn Jockey Mike Steele to help serve the meal but does anyone thing that the Ne'er-do-well Limbaugh will loan Steele out for a night ? I would like for Steele to serve some appetizers of Pig-Ears,Pickled Pig Feet,Hogshead Cheese and Pignoses. Steele has had a lot of experience working down on Old Boss Hogg Limbaugh's farm as a youth so I'm sure that he will be able to select the right kind of Hog products to buy.Mr. Steele worked on Mr.Limbaugh's farm before he was selcted to his present position on the Lawn.

Black Buzz said...

Senator Specter: David,I didn't say that I was going to be a loyal Democrat.

Black Buzz said...

Wow,Mr Specter switched political parties for expediency.Man,I didn't know that !

Black Buzz said...

Has anyone ever heard of "The Employee Free Choice Act ? I bet Mr. Specter hasn't! Unions are a remnant of a by-gone era.

Black Buzz said...

What would happen every time a Politician got behind in an upcoming political contest and jumped ship to the opposite party soley for purpose of improving his/her chances of winning in the general election? Would we have chaos and confusion or simply business as usual ?

Black Buzz said...

So Mr. Specter ran a Willie Horton type of AD. long before Bush number uno.

Black Buzz said...

It's just the "American Way".

Black Buzz said...

Voting for Pat Toomey is like voting for David Duke and Frank Rizzo roled into one.

Black Buzz said...

I urge all Pennsylvania voters that can read and understand English to vote for the candidate from the "Know Nothing Party" for the position of United States Senator from the great State of Pennsylvania.

Black Buzz said...

I trust Specter just as much as I trust Col. Gaddafi !

Black Buzz said...

It makes you wonder about who is really the money behind Barack Hussein Obama.

Black Buzz said...

How did Arlen vote on the Bankruptcy Reform Bill ? Do your homework !

Black Buzz said...

I have never voted for a Republican ever in a state-wide election but if former Governor Ridge decides to run for the senate seat I will vote for him. I would love the opportunity to vote against people like Specter & Judas Lieberman.

Black Buzz said...

last week old Specter was standing with Obama in the White House claiming he would be a loyal Democrat,and then he votes against Obama's budget.

Black Buzz said...

Specter said on Sunday may 3,2009 that he would like to see Norm Coleman win the senate seat in Minnesota. That's loyalty for you !

Black Buzz said...

Specter brags about his 75% voting record with the G.O.P.And now he is a good loyal democrat !