Posted by
Andrews on Tuesday, April 28, 2009 1:20:28 PM
There are many rumors that Arlen Specter is going to switch parties and run as a Democrat in 2010. Some are wringing their hands over the fact that this will give Obama his 60 seat, filibuster proof majority, but, in all honesty, it is really a good thing for conservatives. After all, Obama already has his 60 seats, even with a nominally Republican Specter. Specter, Snowe and a few others can easily be induced to switch sides, so Obama has no reason to worry about filibusters now.
On the other hand, with Specter joining the Democrats, we are free to choose a better candidate to run for his seat, without worrying about losing the spurious advantages that his seniority bring. For many years Republicans have feared voting out RINO incumbents as their seniority gives them advantages in committee appointments and other perks. If the RINOs would all switch parties and become out and out Democrats we could stop worrying about such concerns and vote in some real conservative sin the primaries.
So, in the end, if these rumors prove true, we are all better off for it. We can now stop worrying about liberal incumbent Republicans and bring in some fresh blood to revitalize the party.
POSTSCRIPT
This switch also brings the added benefit of making clear tot he general public that at least some of those big spending, big government Republicans were certainly not conservatives. In fact, if a few others follow Specter's lead, we may be able to make "conservative" and "Republican", if not synonymous, at least much closer in meaning.