Sestak Shuts Out Specter

Ducked then Dumped

The longest serving senator from Pennsylvania, Democrat Arlen Specter (D-PA) was defeated Tuesday May 18th, in his primary election for the Democratic nomination for Senator. His opponent was US House Representative Joe Sestak who defied Bill Clinton and the Obama Administration and won 53% of the vote, while Specter picked up 47%. This election was seen by many as a referendum on Specter's actions last year in which he switched from a long time and high-ranking Republican to become a Democrat in order to avoid a bruising primary fight from an opponent who was all but guaranteed to beat him. In a last ditch effort to get Arlen Specter to switch parties, in order to secure an even greater majority in the Senate, the Obama Administration basically ensured a smooth primary and vast support during the general election. Yet, Specter learned that the voters are tired of partisanship and petty politics and that if the administration won't give them change; they will just change Washington themselves, one senator at a time.

So Long Specter!

After nearly 30 years in the Senate as a high-ranking Republican who, although at times differed from his party, even chaired the Senate Judicial Committee, on which he now sits as a ranking member, has been cast out of office by the people of Pennsylvania becoming the latest, and highest profile, candidate to play victim to the anti-incumbency movement sweeping the nation.

The misfit Republican then switched parties in 2009 after voting with Democrats in the Senate in support if the Obama Stimulus Bill. Besides the growing ideological divides with Republicans, Specter also traded party affiliation because he had a very strong primary opponent and wished to avoid a fierce primary bout. One of the key orchestrator's behind the switching scheme was an Obama-backed visit from former President Clinton to Joe Sestak asking him to drop out of the race in order to pave the way for Specter. Obama promised Specter an easy Democratic primary and intended to give him one, what he did not expect was to find someone who had a backbone. Because now it is apparent that regardless of those empty promises, next year private citizen Arlen Specter will be unemployed and out of power.

Yet it will be interesting to watch this powerful man as he transitions into his final few months in office. Specter remains a ranking member of the Senate Judicial Committee and thus holds a large amount of power in the appointment of all judiciary appointments; including that of Solicitor General Elena Kagan's nomination to to replace Justice John Paul Stevens on the United States Supreme Court. Could it be that the broken promises have left Specter with a bitter taste in his mouth and that he will attempt to get back at Obama and the Democrats through stalling and hurting Kagan's nomination? America has known this kind of petty politics before, so it is not unlikely. Yet I truly question the power of a lame duck Senator who is a known flip-flopper; if Specter is able to stall it, and that's a big if, it would be an amazing feat because I do not think he has either the strength or the backbone. But we shall see, either way, it should be interesting.

The Clinton/Obama Effect

'The Clinton Effect' is simple, its controversy. Clinton, who was made more famous by his infidelity and near impeachment than for any policy initiative, has since been the hallmark for American controversy since President Nixon and Watergate. The fact that Republicans and even more, some Democrats are calling out the Obama Administration for seemingly attempting to hand pick a senator and bribe an opponent into submission, plus the knowledge that 'Slick Willy', as Bill Clinton is less affectionately known, was directly involved in the proceedings casts a suspicious light upon the whole affair.

'The Obama Effect' has two aspects: controversy and a public referendum. The first is the apparent parallels between this affair and the controversy and then indictment of Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich (D-IL) for attempting to sell Barrack Obama's former Senate seat to raise campaign funds. It is eerie to think that controversy surrounded his seat in Illinois, and now it seems to have followed him into the White House with his apparent bribe to Joe Sestak.

The second aspect is that of a referendum against Obama himself. President Obama was elected with 52% of the general vote, the highest amount for a Democrat in recent history. he also was extremely popular for most of his first year in office; however, his popularity has since decreased to the point that he is well into the mid-forty percents in the most recent approval polls. The fact that Specter was a political ally with Obama could have very well been a reflection, not only on Specter, but of Obama as well.

In the end, a long time Senator has been driven from office on the waves of anti-incumbency and as political backlash for trading parties. Congratulations to Joe Sestak, who not only unseated a very strong incumbent, even overcoming a 20% deficit last month to win the primary. But also congratulations are due because he stood up to his party, both the old guard and the new figure heads , and persevered. America has always favored personal initiative and Mr. Sestak, America gave you your reward. Now, if elected, you must repay them with efficient and enthusiastic representation. Good Luck Mr. Sestak, and to Mr. Specter, good riddance.

Later,
Cody

(Photo: Courtesy of the Associated Press)