You are here: Home » Featured » The Democrats At 59- Spector Changes Parties

The Democrats At 59- Spector Changes Parties

The Democrats picked up their fifty-ninth seat today. However, it was not that Norm Coleman finally gave up the ghost and let Al Frankin take his rightful seat as Minnesota’s second Senator, but that Senator Arlen Spector of Pennsylvania jumped ship and took the banner of the Democratic Party as his own. While it is unlikely that Spector will do anything like vote strictly upon party lines, the shift in power may be significant.

In recent weeks, the Republican Party has been pushing to unseat Spector in the 2010 election. Many Republicans have been backing Pat Toomey, a hard line conservative who appeals to the base of the Republican Party. The largest attacks against Spector have been over his moderate stances on most issues, especially social issues. Spector is pro-choice. He is also pro-civil unions even though he is personally against same-sex marriage. He has consistently voted against a Federal Marriage Amendment.

In making this move, Spector will face off against Joe Torsella, CEO and President of the National Constitution Center, and State Representative Bill Kortz. Those are the ones who have confirmed their run for the Senate. However, they may face a tough fight against Spector, who is well known inside his state and popular among many independents and moderates.

Arlen Spector has been, until now, one of the three moderate Republicans in the Senate. The question now is whether or not his leaving the Republican Party may result in the defections of Senators Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins, both of Maine. Snowe will not face reelection until 2012, and Collins not until 2014. However, with a growing shift in the political structure in Maine, they may find it easier to make their shift to the Democrats in the near future rather than waiting for the Republicans to reorganize and attack them from a position of strength in later years.

The Republican Party is down to its core individuals. These are people who will vote in opposition to any person who is seen as a moderate.

Spector makes his move a little more than a month after stating that he was not going to switch parties. His move will make it harder for the Republicans to filibuster legislation, but it may also mean that the Republicans will be hunkering down to prevent Al Frankin from taking his seat.

Back in 2001, Vermont Senator Jim Jeffords left the Republican Party and caucused with the Democrats.