Thursday, April 30, 2009
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Arlen Specter Switches Parties
Arlen Specter is the latest U.S. senator to switch parties. Nothing wrong with that. These days, with Rush Limbaugh leading the Republicans, who can blame him? But, he reminds us that there is an honorable way to do it, and as he chose, a dishonorable way.
Like it or not, any politician running on a party ticket owes a duty to complete his or her term as a member of that party. A duty to the party and to the voters. If he or she believes that they can no longer represent the voters through the party, then they should resign first, then join another party, and then stand for reelection.
The fact is, like most national politicians, Specter stands for the only principle he knows: Getting reelected.
Update: David Broder on Specter the Defector:
Like it or not, any politician running on a party ticket owes a duty to complete his or her term as a member of that party. A duty to the party and to the voters. If he or she believes that they can no longer represent the voters through the party, then they should resign first, then join another party, and then stand for reelection.
The fact is, like most national politicians, Specter stands for the only principle he knows: Getting reelected.
Update: David Broder on Specter the Defector:
The one consistency in the history of Arlen Specter has been his willingness to do whatever will best protect and advance the career of Arlen Specter.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)