Sen. Specter viewed as a model Democrat one year after switch

[Omaha Steve]

http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/90547-specter-viewed-as-a-model-democrat-one-year-after-party-switch

By Alexander Bolton - 04/05/10 06:00 AM ET

Sen. Arlen Specter (D-Pa.) says he feels fully comfortable with his new party since leaving the GOP almost a year ago.

And, facing a challenge from the left in the May Democratic primary, Specter seems every bit the reliable foot soldier.

He’s become a leading advocate for organized labor within the Senate Democratic Conference and has developed close working relationships with some of the party’s most influential leaders.

“My colleagues on the Democratic side have been very receptive,” Specter said in an interview.

“They were glad to see me buck the Republican obstructionism and provide key support on the stimulus and the 60th vote on healthcare reform,” he said.

When he was a Republican, Specter gave GOP leaders and the conservative base fits with his independent stands, such as not voting to convict former President Bill Clinton during Senate impeachment proceedings.

Despite vowing independence when he switched parties on April 28 of last year, Specter has become a model Democratic senator.

During Specter’s 29-year career as a Senate Republican, he voted with Democrats 35 percent of the time. Since switching parties in 2009, he has cast more than 95 out of 100 votes with Democratic leaders.

FULL story at link.

[AlinPA]

1. He campaigned for Palin-McCain. I'm for Sestak, the Democrat. nt

[Omaha Steve]

2. I am too

But promises were made to get him to switch parties. Those promises are being kept. Just be glad he lost some of his chairman roles when he came to our side of the isle.