With his political future on the line, Pennsylvania Sen. Arlen Specter has jumped ship to become a Democrat and, in doing so, hands Democrats a filibuster-proof 60-seat majority (assuming Al Franken wins Minnesota).
This is no profile in courage; it’s political survival, pure and simple.
While Democrats no doubt offered Specter many a carrot — and will do everything possible to clear the primary for him — Specter will still owe Pennsylvania voters answers, including how, as a Democrat, Specter defends taking the lead and shepherding Supreme Court Justices John Roberts and Samuel Alito through the confirmation process. The left is still angered that these Justices were confirmed — and Specter was George W. Bush’s point man in pushing them through.
Over the past 99 days, we’ve heard Democrats complaining that Republicans have obstructed the Obama agenda, are the “Party of No,” etc., etc. With 60 seats in the Senate, those protests will be codified as hollow. (A good problem to have, to be sure.)
Republicans, who have spent too much time wondering “What next?” now have their answer. The party has a lot of work to do — to recruit, recapture and become relevant again in the Northeast is a major part of that. It’s time to get to work.