Irony, Delicious Irony

Senator Specter Makes Comments on Senator Jeffords' Decision to Vote With Democrats on Issue of Organization

Some select comments:

Before discussing the suggestions which would be made to Senator Jeffords, we first pleaded with him, saying his change would disrupt the Senate, it would change the balance of power in the Federal Government generally, it would severely weaken the Republican Party –- of which he was a lifelong member, it would hurt his Senate friends, and likely cost many staffers to lose their jobs.

Disrupt the Senate? Like, say, handing one party a supermajority? Think that might disrupt things a little? Y'know, it was scary when the Senate rammed through the $timulus bill without reading it - the general consensus was that we needed to act, and act quickly. Now that the Dems have a bulletproof majority, will all bills be rammed through without debate or reflection?

I take second place to no one on independence voting. But, it is my view that the organizational vote belongs to the party which supported the election of a particular Senator. I believe that is the expectation. And certainly it has been a very abrupt party change, although they have occurred in the past with only minor ripples, none have caused the major dislocation which this one has.

Gee, that went right out the window, eh Arlen? Glad to see your principles mean so little.

When the Democrats urged me to switch parties some time ago, I gave them a flat "no." I have been asked in the last several days if I intended to switch parties. I have said absolutely not.

Just took a few years, eh? What did they offer you this time that they didn't offer you last time?

Senator Phil Gramm faced this issue when he decided to switch parties. He resigned his seat, which he had won as a Democrat, and ran for reelection as a Republican. As he told me, his last vote in January 1983 was for the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and he voted for Tip O'Neill with the view that he was elected as a Democrat and should vote that way on organizational control. Even though, he intended to become a Republican and would have preferred another person to be Speaker. To repeat, I intend to propose a Senate rule which would preclude a change in control of the Senate when a Senator decides to vote with the opposing party for organizational purposes.

That, sir, is how one changes parties. With class, style, and consideration for the party that got you to your position of power in the first place. Not dumping them because you don't think you'll win the next election, you ethically-challenged shyster.

This week's events raise very profound questions for the governance of our country as well as the operation of the Senate. I intend to press a rule change which would preclude a recurrence of this situation and will be discussing with my colleagues the whole idea of inducements as an incentive for a party switch.

It's unfortunate no one in the Republican leadership thought to invoke the "Specter Rule Change" when it came to your sorry ass, Arlen. Then again, the GOP might need you, but they sure as hell don't want you.

Enjoy your thirty pieces of silver, asshole; you're gonna need 'em.

That is all.