McConnell: Specter defection a ‘threat to the country’

Sen. Arlen Specter’s decision to switch parties and pursue reelection as a Democrat is a “threat to the country,” Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) asserted Tuesday.

Reacting to Specter’s defection from the GOP, McConnell accused the longtime Pennsylvania lawmaker of having practiced naked politics.

“I think the threat to the country presented by this defection really relates to the issue of whether or not in the United States of America our people want the majority to have whatever it wants without restraint, without a check or a balance,” McConnell said during a Tuesday afternoon press availability.

“Obviously, we are not happy that Senator Specter has decided to become a Democrat,” McConnell said. “If we are not successful in Minnesota…Democrats, at least on paper, will have 60 votes. I think the danger of that for the country is that there won’t automatically be an ability to restrain the excess that is typically associated with big majorities and single-party rule.”

McConnell said Republicans would focus more on pressuring centrist Democrats in preventing cloture on Democratic priorities, and accused Specter of making a “totally political decision” in deciding to run as a Democrat.

“We have moderates in our conference who have an enormous amount of influence. I can tell you, and you know this, because you’re around here all the time, there’s a good deal of difference between a senator from Maine and Mississippi. “But as Senator Cornyn’s indicated, we intend to be competitive on a nationwide basis. I do not accept that we are going to be a regional party. And we’re working very hard to compete throughout the country.”