Well this isn’t the first time a politician has switched parties.  It does come with a bit of an added value to the Democrats.  The United States Congress has moved one vote away from the 60 votes needed to break a Republican filibuster.  If, as expected, Al Franken is confirmed to be the winner in Minnesota they will have it.  This is significant because it leaves only the Supreme Court to protect the minority rights and then, only where the law is in question.  

Unfortunately, in America, we have become desensitized to the antics of Washington politicians.  They promise one thing and do another will little push back from their constituencies.  Yesterday  Senator Specter from Pennsylvania decided he was a better fit inside the Democrat party.  Hmmm….I wonder what took him so long to understand that.  Could it be the frightening realization that he was going to need a new job next election?  Specter by his own admission faced an almost un-winnable primary.  Excerpts from his speech are below.

Since my election in 1980, as part of the Reagan Big Tent, the Republican Party has moved far to the right. Last year, more than 200,000 Republicans in Pennsylvania changed their registration to become Democrats. I now find my political philosophy more in line with Democrats than Republicans.

When I supported the stimulus package, I knew that it would not be popular with the Republican Party. But, I saw the stimulus as necessary to lessen the risk of a far more serious recession than we are now experiencing.

Since then, I have traveled the State, talked to Republican leaders and office-holders and my supporters and I have carefully examined public opinion. It has become clear to me that the stimulus vote caused a schism which makes our differences irreconcilable. On this state of the record, I am unwilling to have my twenty-nine year Senate record judged by the Pennsylvania Republican primary electorate…I have decided to run for re-election in 2010 in the Democratic primary.

What was a little disturbing is that he waited so long to make the switch.  He has frequently voted against conservatism and Republican ideas.  Just a month ago he could be heard promising that he was a Republican and would stay a Republican on Pennsylvania radio stations and news papers.  It reminds of that movie starring Jim Carrey, Liar, Liar.  Wouldn’t it be great if when politicians were sworn in there was a pill they would take that would force them to only be truthful?  Wouldn’t the press conferences be fantastic?  The ratings would cause the press club to become prime time television.  Well, to Senator Specter and all those who can speak from both sides of their mouth I can only say:  You are a  Liar liar pants on fire.  :)

“What is Truth? said jesting Pilate; and would not stay for an answer.” Francis Bacon

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