President Barack Obama and Vice-President Joe Biden will appear with Senator Arlen Specter(D-PA) at a press conference tomorrow morning in the White House's Diplomatic Room. That's how the President plans to begin his 100th day on the job; by displaying a big "(bleep) you" to the far-right. That's right. He's starting off his 100th day by displaying a great big political trophy that he can hang up with the rest of his many accomplishments in this thus-far short but fast-paced Administration.
At this point, I'd like to refer everyone to a diary written on March 7th titled "Arlen Specter Could Return to the Democratic Party".
Needless to say, I wasn't particularly surprised. Senator Specter's only two options were retirement or return to the party.
Since the news broke, many have brought up Sens. Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe of Maine. Now, while Collins and Snowe may have been Republicans of a similar nature as Specter was, Maine is not Pennsylvania. Maine's conservatives are more like Canada's or Vermont's conservatives. I don't see any reason in their interest(they are politicians, duh!) for either of them to leave the Republican Party, especially considering that neither will be up for reelection in 2010. While we can still wish all Republicans were more like Snowe and Collins, don't expect them to jump ship.
If we want someone to jump ship, look no further than Louisiana.
Joseph Cao(R-LA) wasn't suppose to win. As a Republican in the New Orleans area, you don't have a chance unless the incumbent you are trying to unseat is best known for his freezer being full of cash. So what kind of Republican is he? He almost became the only Republican U.S. Representative to vote for the stimulus bill, succumbing after he was boldly pressured by his colleagues. He is open to probing torture. And he has also "joked" that he might be a closet-Democrat. Or we can just wait until 2010 when whoever the Democrats end up running undoubtedly ends up winning the race.
In the meantime, as the President soars and the GOP crumbles, treat yourself to a drink. Non-alcoholic drinks are, reluctantly, acceptable. In the meantime, I'd like to throw out a follow-up poll regarding Arlen Specter.