AFTER MUCH PRESSURE, SPECTER TO OPPOSE CLOTURE & PASSAGE ON CARD CHECK…
According to multiple sources, Senator Arlen Specter will vote against cloture and passage on Employee Free Choice Act legislation…
UPDATE: American Spectator & Huffington Post confirm…
TOOMEY: ‘this will have no effect’ on decision…
TOOMEY STATEMENT: ‘When Senator Specter does a flip flop, it’s worth checking the fine print. On the senate floor today he said: “I would be willing to reconsider Employees’ Free Choice legislation when the economy returns to normalcy.” In other words, if he thinks his political fortunes have improved, he will deny workers a secret ballot after all’…
Reid: Other Republicans might back bill…
***SPECTER STATEMENT (2:23PM):***
SUMMARY: “On the merits, the issue which has emerged at the top of the list for many is the elimination of the secret ballot which is the cornerstone of how contests are decided in a democratic society. The bill’s requirement for compulsory arbitration, if an agreement is not reached within 120 days, may subject the employer to a deal he or she cannot live with. Such arbitration runs contrary to the basic tenet of the Wagner Act for collective bargaining, which makes the employer liable only for a deal he or she agrees to.”
SUMMARY: “With the prospects of a Democratic win in Minnesota yet uncertain, it appears that 59 Democrats will vote to proceed, with 40 Republicans in opposition. If so, the decisive vote would be mine. In a highly polarized Senate, many decisive votes are left to a small group who are willing to listen, reject ideological dogmatism, disagree with the party line and make an independent judgment…On knowing that I will not support cloture on this bill, Senators may choose to move on and amend the NLRA, as I have suggested, or otherwise. This announcement should end the rumor mill that I have made some deal for my political advantage. I have not traded my vote in the past and I would not do so now.”
51 Comments
Translation: Specter is scared spitless of a Toomey run.
Too late, Arlen; your days as a fat cat in Washington are numbered. Why not do yourself a favor and retire?
My insightful analysis was correct. http://patownhall.com/article/4044 I am brilliant
and nice work, Pat Toomey. you deserve some credit for this.
Why would Spector bother to do what the people want now. He has not done so in the past. Too little to late. Bye
Why would Spector bother to do what the people want now. He has not done so in the past. Too little too late. Bye
Congratulations. You are voting the way almost every Republican is voting. For this we are supposed to throw a parade?
No dice
A calculated decision. As I pointed out, the Business Community, even the Establishment Big Business community, would come out in full force on this issue. The Unions have to work against Pat Toomey because they know, if anyone else doubts, that he is real deal Free Market opposed to the coercion of compulsory unionism which only reduces number of jobs available to workers and drive up costs to The Forgotten Taxpayer.
Nope, calculated, smart and the correct career decision for sen specter.
A Calculated Career choice for Sen. Specter. Had he supported Card Check the entire business community, including Establishment Big Business, would have come down against him as I pointed out. However, the unions will still support Sen.Specter because they need to oppose Pat Toomey, a real deal Free Market Economic Freedom conservative who opposes the coercion of compulsory unionism which, actually, destroys jobs, limits opportunities for people who want to work and drive up costs to The Forgotten Taxpayer. Nope Sen. Specter neutralizes the Business Community AND retains full union support. It is a joy to watch a master political manipulator and maneuverer at work.
'Cause he's feeling some heat. He's wishing he could take his vote back for the Stimulus bill. Sorry, Arlen, that one was "Unforgivable." No do-overs.
"This announcement should end the rumor mill that I have made some deal for my political advantage. I have not traded my vote in the past and I would not do so now.” rolling on the floor laughing. The Toomey Threat, supported by a very juiced independent grassroots network did it.
Ordinarily I think that it is a good idea to reward politicians who do the right thing. However, in Arlen's case, he simply cannot be trusted to do the right thing just because it is the right thing to do. Despite his high sounding pontification about independence and decrying 'dogmatism', it really is as simple as right and wrong. Card check is wrong on every level — and opposed by anyone and everyone except union bosses and the pols who benefit from powerful union bosses — and incompatible with (what's left of ) our free society.
Bob,
Have you any examples of him "trading his vote in the past"?
Nathan
'I would be willing to reconsider Employees’ Free Choice legislation when the economy returns to normalcy’???
Is Snarlin' Arlen admitting that the legislation would be bad for the economy? If it's bad for the economy now, how would it be any better for the economy when things go back to normal?
Pat Benatar said it best, Arlen – It's a little too little, it's a little too late.
Keep in mind there are several compromise bills out there that would be just as bad. This is not over and Specter is still on watch.
‘I would be willing to reconsider Employees’ Free Choice legislation when the economy returns to normalcy’… He's just too much!! Well, I consider his consideration to be seriously screwed up. He only represents Arlen and will forever only represent Arlen.
"Oh no, Spector wouldn't vote "against" his own party stance. He'll save that fight for another day. Like 2010 maybe?
Bush Tax Cut in 2003 is generally acknowledged to be a response to Toomey Threat. Sen. Specter had voted agaisst 2001 Bush Tax Cuts. The Toomey Threat is even bigger so we can expect more 'conservative votes" although the Stimulus Vote put a big target on Sen. Specter. Very bad move unless the Ds agreed to tank in the general election as some have speculated. Joe Torsella is a colleague of Sen.Specter. It is unlikely that Josh Shapiro will be encouraged to run.
He'd rather go out in shame, being a pariah who doesn't have the guts to be true to himself and that would be to run as a Democrat.
nah….the heat isn't hot enough yet for him to want to take that vote back and that's what makes me despise his stupidity.
There is no way in h______ I will vote for him no matter how many crumbs he thinks he is throwing our way now. He can choke on those crumbs. So he can't be bought?????? He had to get permission from the unions to do this. They probably had one of those backroom meetings where he genuflected a few times, kissed @$$ and they said that's alright we'll still back you, we understand. I will not reward him with my vote EVER again. Been burned way toooooo many times. Come on 2010.
Arlen made a deal… watch Toomey and those pushing him back off for now.
Anyone that thinks Arlen did not cut a deal with someone should proceed to the nearest mental health facility and commit themselves for being insane.
At the end of the day, something had to be done about the economy, Arlen had the courage to make the vote to do something about it, even if that something had to go along with a Democratic loaded spending bill. Now he fell on the side I hoped on card check. Thank you Senator, you have my vote in 2010.
"…Something had to be done about the economy…"
Therein lies the fallacy. NOTHING had to be done about the economy. They are using "the economy" as the reason to shove Communism down our throats. Failing businesses should be allowed to fail. Period. That would not and did not require any special Congressional action.
It would be nice if Specter just retired and Toomey were appointed NOW.. Huge problem if the state republican committee endorses Specter because the county committees will follow suit. Toomey would have to create his own grass roots across Pennsylvania, and I would suggest he get to work on that ASAP because all the county republican committees will be out working for Specter's re-election. People in the county committees are scared to death to voice their opinions about Specter, but like the good sheeple they are, they'll be out putting up signs to re-elect Specter. Committee members brave enough to go against the state committee endorsement and subsequent county committee endorsements will be drummed out of the county committees. That is unless of course you belong to a committee where everyone is against Specter and Toomey get the county endorsement. That will be a conundrum for the state committee.
No way in h___ I will vote for, support, or work for Specter's re-election. (this statement will probably get me voted off the county republican committee – not a problem, I'll just run for election again).
Welcome to the discussion Victor. Don't forget to pick a profile pic. You can get a free one here: http://www.1avatars.com/
Welcome to the discussion Victor. Don't forget to pick a profile pic. You can get a free one here: http://www.1avatars.com/
Arlen is a master double talker, double switcher, weaver of words.
Slick Specter hopes he can save his butt with this game but his "stimulus" vote alone should be enough of a reminder to boot him next year.
20 10 30 Out.
Just when you think that all of the Specter flavored kool aid is gone, you find someone has cooked up another batch.
If I were the type who believed in prohibition, this is what I'd want banned.
You are correct Dolly. Those jerks didn't even read what they voted on. Without the "three Stooges" votes we might have been on the road to recovery. Congress was a major player in causing the mess so they sure aren't going to fix it by doing more of what caused it.
How on earth do you think spending this country into oblivion is going to help? These morons didn't learn from history when FDR turned a depression into a "Great Depression" with his meddling. Furthermore he is only voting against card check "for now" to help himself not because it's the right thing to do. Read his words. He's open to it in the future.
Fear not; that's exaclty what those jack-in-apes on the GOP committee did in 2004 and Specter barely squeaked by then.
2010 will be different, primarily because of the bailouts that Specter has been voting for; all Toomey has to do is beat Specter over the head with them and warn about our national debt. People are not happy with Congress now, and rank-and-file Republicans are not happy with Specter in particular.
Remember, Specter is in re-election mode now and is poll driven; and his numbers show he is in the tank. Card Check will not save him, it will only serve to slow the hemorrage.
I don't know if there was a trade involved but let's not forget his assinine support of the Clinton "assault weapons" ban.
Arlen's kind of like a dog that refuses to be house-broken: just because he gets it right every once in a while doesn't mean he deserves to stay indoors.
So, Chris, do you get a commission on avatars?
I'll take that bet; if anything, the pressure is going to grow because rank-and-file Republicans will see this for what it is – Specter trying to engineer himself into re-election.
Problem is, the clock has run out. People are fed up with this guy, and we don't want a cadaver serving in the US Senate anymore.
What are you smoking, dude?
Bob, you are so brilliant. I wish I was like you.
The Toomey Challenge changed the Sen. Specter’s vote as it had in 2003 on ed Bush Tax Cuts and saved the day for productive, pro-growth Free Market, saved the Secret Ballot, the foundation of free and fair elections, and saved workers from Union Thuggery
The Toomey Challenge changed the Sen. Specter’s vote as it had in 2003 on ed Bush Tax Cuts and saved the day for productive, pro-growth Free Market, saved the Secret Ballot, the foundation of free and fair elections, and saved workers from Union Thuggery
For Nathan Schrader and Bob Guzzardi – The New York Times reported that Specter's deciding vote in favor of Obama's Stimulus Plan was “purchased” by the Democrats by increasing additional funding provided for in the Stimulus Plan for the National Institute of Health by $10 billion.
SS
Another example of Specter trading his vote. He was the deciding Vote on Stimulus The New York Times reported that Specter's deciding vote in favor of Obama's Stimulus Plan was “purchased” by the Democrats by increasing additional funding provided for in the Stimulus Plan for the National Institute of Health by $10 billion.
Naw, just trying to encourage folks to get them. I think it makes the site way more fun to read!
Don't think any of this is over.
Never, ever trust Arlen. Never, ever trust a RINO.
Arlen is like a wounded animal. He is trying to do anything to stay afloat.
I think you mixed your metaphors there, Sparky. But you're in luck…us rural hicks still understand ya.
ROFLMAO
The problem with Specter is not the liberal part…well within reason it is not. But it is his failure to stand on principles. Look at he opposite side of the aisle. Obama didn't win because many of the people who voted for him really thought he walks on water. It was the fact hat he stands on principles. Americans want someone to believe in whatever they are selling. Specter doesn't sell that…and that is why Conservatives will win. Toomey stands on principles and doesn't waver.
I'd be psyched if he just went back to making those Joan Specter pies. You haven't lived until you've had her Chocolate Mousse. It would certainly do more for humanity than ruining the Republican Party. I wonder what it's like to look back on your life and say, "I conducted myself completely void of integrity." Don't let the door hit you in the as*.
So, in other words, you're saying that this was a personal thing for Specter…
Reply to Morbius: No, just responding to Nathan Schrader's question to Bob Guzzardi by referring to what the New York Times reported. You can draw your own conclusion.
SS
Exactly. But Arlen's bad acts are willful so that makes him worse than the dog who knows no better.