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To be honest, a filibuster is a simple (but effective) way to block legislature from passing. It exists in other governmental bodies and countries than just the U.S. Senate, but Specter's move affects the Senate.
In a filibuster, "an attempt is made to extend indefinitely a debate upon a proposal in order to delay the progress or completely prevent a vote on the proposal taking place." In reality, no longer is an actual physical filibuster necessary; just the threat of one is enough to block a vote. In the U.S. Senate, unless there are 60 votes, legislation is stalled.
I've always considered it silly that a minority can hold the majority party "hostage," even if by one vote, simply by the threat of a filibuster.
With Arlen Specter, who has served since 1980 as a GOP Senator from Pennsylvania, in the fold, if Al Franken, who currently holds a narrow lead over Norm Coleman in Minnesota, were to be seated, the Democrats would have the 60 votes they need, including Independents Bernie Sanders (VT) and Joe Lieberman (CT).
Specter released a statement today, explaining his move:
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 not represented the Republican Party. I have represented the people of Pennsylvania.
I have decided to run for re-election in 2010 in the Democratic primary.
However, Specter did indicate that his vote would not be "automatic." He will vote his conscience. And that is a good thing, something I have seen to be sadly lacking of late in the U.S. government.
And it's probably why such things as 60-vote clotures exist; in the past, people did not see that legislators would begin to vote with their party, and ignore their own conscience.
Of course, the Republicans didn't take things well, and definitely shafted him on the way out. Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele responded, saying,
"Let's be honest — Sen. Specter didn't leave the GOP based on principles of any kind. He left to further his personal political interests because he knew that he was going to lose a Republican primary due to his left-wing voting record."
Meanwhile, both Senate Majority leader Harry Reid and President Barack Obama showed their support for Specter's move, with Obama promising to campaign for Specter in 2010.
Posted April 28th, 2009 by Michael Santo
