I feel bad, but I disagree with President Obama about Arlen Specter

[SamCooke]

I'm watching the guy in Pennsylvania that was in the Navy and may plan to run against Specter as a democrat. I just don't see why we need to suck up to some guy that only became a democrat for his own sake. I don't understand this, and the President went on TV basically supporting this guy. If this Democratic congressman can win, we should back him.


edit: Just saw his name is Joe Sestak or something like that.

[truedelphi]

1. I don't understand a great deal about Obama, so cannot help you there

But as far as Geithner, Rubins, Summers, And Bernanke, God help us all.

[Cha]

17. Prez Obama has done a lot of good so far..

it's not just about the negatives that you bring up.

[truedelphi]

19. Read about the recent collapse of the Argentinian economy

It is very American to not be concerned about anything until it actually happens. We keep ourselves oocuppied with so much frivolity until the buibble nbursts, until the weakness that has been flaunted in front of us really takes place. Then we all go, Oh no! And become concerned.

But by then it is too late. And watch the YouTube in my sig line (The one mentioned right before the words "Max Kaiser.")

If our economy stays in a trough, Obama will be a very weak President. Then the Repugs get in again, and all the gains he makes get pushed back. It was important that he do the right thing by the eoconmy. And it is going to be horrendous when the worst finally descends upon us.

[Cha]

20. I think you dwell too much on what may

happen and not give credit where it's due.

[truedelphi]

23. It is not a matter of "may happen"

You cannot simply hand over twelve trillion dollars to the banksters and expect anything good to happen. Especially as there is no audit or no real oversight.

There are three options as of today's date:
1) total bankruptcy of the economy - this means that the states and the Federal government would be too insolvent to do things like send out Social Security checks, or pay for Food Stamps (one in ten American households are now dependent on food stamps)
2) inflation - under this scenario - person would still get their Social Security check - but it might only buy them three bags of groceries.
or 3) another economic bubble - and this too will be inflationary. but the real damage that will be done is when it too collapses.

In any event,what we need to have happen - the creation of jobs, will not occur. And since the average American is now tapped out credit-wise, the idea that we can continue to be a consumer society without having jobs is a fallacy whose weakness is now exposed.

[Thrill]

2. No one is sucking up to Specter. Obama is using him for political gain

Exploiting the Republicans. Of course he's going to accept someone into the party.

[thunder rising]

8. Specter is easy, Lieberman still makes my wince

[Cha]

25. Yeah, lieman is a

wincer but he's been mostly minding his Ps&Qs.

[MADem]

3. Sestak will do what he needs to do. Specter was a Democrat once, he'll get back in the groove.

You do understand that Specter is on the Judiciary Committee....and we've got a new SCOTUS pick to make?

Biden's reasoning for flipping the guy become more apparent with every passing day.

[tularetom]

4. I agree with you but Obama has something up his sleeve

He needs votes THIS YEAR for health care and Supreme Court confirmations.

I'm sure in a perfect world he would prefer not to have to kiss up to the repulsive Spincter but these issues are too important to let idealism get in the way.

[lapfog_1]

5. HIs "conversion" will ONLY be worth it if Specter tows

the line and we and ram our agenda through without the repukes being able to filibuster.

And I mean he votes for cloture on each and every bill between now and January 2011.

Otherwise, this was a bad deal.

[thunder rising]

10. Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. If Specter runs as an independent he wins ... so

bring him over. If he does not finish the next term (sorry, but likely) Gov will replace him with a Dem. It's not a near term win ... but a win.

[sandnsea]

6. The Supreme Court

We are now filibuster proof, at least on most social issues. We're only going to have a corporate problem, which is better than having both.

[Raineyb]

16. Filibuster proof?

Based on what? The "conservadems" like blah who think that the Democrats have too much power? Good luck with that.

Regards

[sandnsea]

21. We have to have a judge

Do you think we'll get someone as liberal as Stephen Reinhardt? I wouldn't have thought so, but maybe Obama knows something we don't.

"Judges have to have empathy. The law is not something you look up in a book and find the answer. If it was, we wouldn't need judges," said Reinhardt, who is critical of what he considers an overly "proceduralist" approach by some colleagues.

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20090422/NEWS02/704229733

[DrToast]

7. I think it's ridiculous to judge this decision after a few days.*

[Vogon_Glory]

9. The Democrats Can Supplement Their Majority With Solid Democrats

The Democrats can work to increase their 60 senator-majority with solid Democrats during the next election, then they won't have to worry about former mainstream Republicans' political agendas quite so much.

[Arkana]

13. Money not used on the PA Senate race can be used to help out Dodd in CT

and unseat Kit Bond's Republican successor in MO, get rid of Richard Burr in NC (where I would suspect the Republicans will put the brunt of their money), and maybe even steal KBH's seat in Texas.

There are a gazillion other places that money can go to now--and it increases the odds of us winning those tighter races.

[Uzybone]

11. a Specter in the hand is worth 2 Sestaks right now

Sestak is great and if Specter continues to be a flaming asshole I hope he gets primaries. But we are using Arlen now.

[polichick]

12. Let's hope Specter doesn't run in the end - and Sestak does.

[AllentownJake]

14. Arlen will be there when we need him

At the end of the day, if there is a threat of a filibuster Arlen will vote for cloture and than might vote against the bill but it will pass anyway.

Arlen is a sure vote when you need him and he's a sure thing for re-election for PA

I'd rather have Sestak or Josh Shapiro as well, but when it comes down to it. Ed Rendell and the President back Specter. There will not be a primary opponent because that is the way the democratic party works in PA.

[PADemD]

27. I hope Sestak runs. I'd rather vote for him than Specter.

[Cha]

15. Prez Obama is making the best out of

the situation..the rest is up to Specter. He's being watched closely and if he doesn't act like a Dem then he may lose his seat anyway.

[Butch350]

18. Under the table agreements?!

[AtomicKitten]

22. Specter makes Sestak look like a screaming liberal.

No need to feel bad about disagreeing with Pres Obama on this or anything else. There are plenty of Democrats that want an actual Democrat to run in Pennsylvania. Including me.

[jbnow]

24. I agree with Sestak. Especially if Arlen votes against our agenda

he needs a primary challenger. Doesn't matter what Obama says or does about it, Sestak should run and we can all send him money.

Obama wants health care. Arlen is very into it as well after his health issues but if he stayed a republican fear of right wing voters would have made his vote for it unlikely. Like Obama said this will "Liberate" him to support issues he cares about. I know he says he'll support him in primary. Fine.
Doesn't mean his candidate will win.

I really like Sestak and am not surprised he isn't backing off.

[SamCooke]

26. My Problem is he's against the EFCA, the budget, and he's for the banks

If we could get a real democrat with most of our values in there, why don't Obama and others do it? If this guy couldn't win a republican primary he wont be able to win a demorcatic one if Obama wasn't backing him. Why don't we just start from scratch and get a young liberal that we can count on in the Senate and let Specter retire or go wherever he wants to go. Just as long as its not the Democratic party.