Bet Arlen Specter wished he lived in Connecticut and could have pulled a Joe Lieberman. Although, given the way he’s started out he might find himself in Lieberman’s boat faster than he realizes. Dean and Carville have fired the warning shot by uttering the word that had Specter running away from the Republican Party in the first place: Primary.
“I’m pleased that he saw the light and decided he would be a better fit for the Democratic Party and I think you have to allow for his political views to evolve,” said former DNC chairman Howard Dean in an interview with the Huffington Post. “But he won’t win the Democratic primary by taking the position that you should not have [the Employee Free Choice Act] or a public option for health insurance… If he takes these kinds of views, of course there is going to be a Democratic primary.” [emphasis mine]
“Of course there is going to be a primary.” Music to my ears, Dr. Dean.
“I’m not sure this is going to have a great ending,” added Carville, who has worked extensively in Pennsylvania politics. “He could get primaried, you know… If [Rep. Joe] Sestak runs, [Specter] will have to fight.” [emphasis mine]
Fight? Golly gee, wasn’t that what Specter was trying to avoid?
Now we all know Specter’s switch was all about Specter and his desire to stay in Washington. That doesn’t mean his points concerning the Far Right were invalid – they weren’t. But if Specter thinks it’s only his former party that’s changed, he hasn’t been paying attention. Democrats have changed as well, and the grassroots of the party are more than capable of nullifying any backroom deal. If he’s just realizing this then he hasn’t been paying attention.
Funnily enough, Specter just might have launched himself out of the frying pan and into the fire.
Update: Looks like Ridge may toss his hat in the ring as well. Still, the question remains: Will Tom Ridge fare any better with the 21% Toomey supporters than Specter? Primaries could very well become the signifcant battle field in Pennsylvania, which is fine by me. I’m all for primaries – they do a country good!