ObamaOdrama

Newly minted and demoted Democrat, Arlen Specter, is again showing what lengths he will go to in order to remain a career politician.

Sen. Arlen Specter says the “prospects are pretty good” for a compromise on legislation making it easier for workers to form union.

Specter had come out against the bill in March, disappointing labor leaders. They had hoped he would be the crucial 60th vote needed to overcome an expected GOP filibuster of the Employee Free Choice Act.

But Specter has since switched from the Republican Party to the Democratic Party, and he said Thursday that he’s been meeting with labor leaders and fellow senators in hopes of coming up with a compromise he could support.

Get used to making more of those compromises, Specter… you have a long way to go before you earn one Democrat vote.

According to QuincyNews.org, the Quincy City Council denied a written request to speak on a recently approved $31.2 million budget and water and sewer rate increases by a resident taxpayer.

When it came time to vote to open the floor to allow the speaker, a mixed voice vote took place. A roll call vote ensued and the seven Democrats denied McQueen’s opportunity to speak while six Republicans voted to allow him to speak.

Alderman Mike Rein (R-5th Ward) was absent.

Alderman Mike Farha (R-4th Ward) said he had never seen anyone denied the right to speak in his 10 years on the council and called the vote “outrageous.”

Farha spoke up after the vote, saying “We have never not allowed a member of the public to address this body.”

Alderman Steve Duesterhaus (D-2nd Ward) countered by saying “A point of order here. This is an incidental motion and is not subject to debate.” Mayor John Spring agreed and Farha finished with “I just want my objection noted for the record.”

Duesterhaus (D-2nd Ward) said there had been ample opportunity to comment on the budget and the water and sewer increases before last week’s votes had taken place.

Clearly the elected officials have more pressing matters than observing the Constitutional rights of its taxpaying citizens who follow all the necessary steps required to address the council in a public forum.

According to the Fox News ticker, it appears that Arlen Specter (R-PA) is switching parties and will be running as a Democrat in 2010.

The Washington Post quotes:

“I have decided to run for re-election in 2010 in the Democratic primary,” said Specter in a statement. “I am ready, willing and anxious to take on all comers and have my candidacy for re-election determined in a general election.”

He added: “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.”

Personally I have no problem with Arlen Specter switching to the Democratic party… this should have happened 20 years ago as far as I’m concerned. Honestly, he’s been a Republican in name only if you consider his voting history on abortion, spending, and immigration. I’d say he’s the Republican equivalent of Joe Lieberman but Lieberman is an honest man. Plus Lieberman never abandoned his political or moral philosophy for self-preservation, his political party just abandoned him.

At any rate, Obama was thrilled by the news. On the verge of a filibuster proof majority in the Senate, Democrats have a lot to be thrilled about.

Thanks for the memories Mr. Specter.

Andrew Klavan’s insightful analysis of the left’s argumentative tactics.

Hat tip to David.

According to Politico the Service Employees International Union has created an online petition criticizing Republicans for holding up the confirmation of a Health and Human Services secretary in the midst of a swine flu outbreak.”

The union accuses Senate Republicans of slowing delaying the confirmation of nominee Kathleen Sebelius to “curry favor with extremist outside groups,” and depriving the department of leadership as the nation confronts a potential flu pandemic.

“This is simply unacceptable,” the union says on his website. “This disease is spreading as we speak, but right now, a Bush-appointed accountant is running the department. We need an HHS Secretary NOW. Sign the petition telling the Senate to vote immediately to confirm Gov. Kathleen Sebelius. If we don’t act, the swine flu might just turn into another Hurricane Katrina.”

Here we go again… sigh. I particularly like the “extremist outside groups” reference. Get used to this lexicon, folks. You’re going to be hearing it a lot from now on.