I Guess He's Better Than Nothing
Good Morning Papamoka Bloggers! I would like to share my reaction to the Arlen Specter news yesterday. Let's just say that I'm both happy and sad.I know I should be very happy, but to be honest my reaction is tainted by my slight bitter belief that we need to move away from the old guard and move toward a new type of politician - a less bought-and-paid-for kind. That said, I do believe Arlen Specter is a man of honesty and integrity, but he's still very much a product of today's broken system.
For me, he'll have to be more progressive on all the new Obama initiatives before I feel comfortable selling his seat out from under a perfectly good, new Democratic talent.
I'll admit, his record on Project Vote Smart shows that he's a very well-rounded, moderate Senator. His voting record paints a picture of a conservative Democrat, one who has helped the middle-class by and large. No matter, I still have reservations. I especially dislike his positions on preemptive war and employee choice, or what the "pro-business GOP" likes to call "card check." They both suck!
Anyway, I guess we're stuck with him since Harry "the wimp" Reid and President Obama obviously struck a deal. I hope they know something we don't, such as a quiet, verbal commitment by him to vote WITH THE DEMOCRATS to end GOP debates. As Martha Stewart likes to say, that would be a good thing.
Overall it's accurate to say the Senior Senator from Pennsylvania is not overly conservative. His conservative special interest ratings are low. The John Birch Society rated him a low 28% in 2008, The Christian Coalition 30%, GOP USA 16%, The Club for Growth 13%, The American Conservative Union gave him a generous 48%, and The Americans for Prosperity 0%. Wow, don't conservatives name their organizations well? The names have nothing to do with their psycho agendas, but they are cool. What a bunch of lying assholes!
So, I guess he's not as bad as some. Despite that fact, I still have a lingering feeling that we may have been better off with a younger, more dynamic Democrat. Age and wisdom are important, but not if they're going to mean another decade or two of old-fashioned, slow, antiquated politics. Like so many of you, I voted for CHANGE in 2008, and I want as much of it as we can get.
Michael Boh
Michael Boh
Papamoka's Left Coast Contributor
from Our Rants & Raves Blog
PS - On another subject, I think we should complain to the FCC about the FOX Network's refusal to air the President's news conference. There are few national broadcast networks, and they should all cover the President during times of crisis. FOX denies us news at a time of war, pandemic flu, and economic collapse. It just goes to show you that Rupert Murdoch is the WORST import since our last major pandemic. The man is SCUM!
Labels: Arlen Specter, Club for Growth, Michael Boh, Republican Party Self-Destruction
posted by Michael Boh at
11:09 AM
4 Comments:
Don't be to harsh on uncle Rupert, rumors abound that he doesn't like the format that his news network is following of late. Might just be something to do with his young wife.
Other than that, I agree with ya Michael. Arlen Specter is a politician trying to save his ass in an election he can't win from a political party he know longer agrees with.
In aguement, I must say that his position in the democrat party is envied and needed to pass many of President Obama's promises to the American people. In that respect I need to pass on calling him a carpet bagger. Like you said, lets see what he does and how he votes right up to the election he needs to survive.
Here,here. I'm all with Martha. End that pesky debate stuff (maybe they can just bar any minority views from the floor alltogether- don't even let them in the chamber).
On a more serious note. If I recall correctly--- it was one of the major 3 networks which was the very first to not air a presidental 'talk' to the nation. I know it involved Bush. I know I thought that was wrong and a horrible precedent. I also remember a ton of justification by and among the media over it.
Both sides only bitch over a current circumstance. Principal be darned.
Anon - I think there's a big difference between a network not airing one of GWB's inane news conferences - most of them didn't make any sense, and were full of lies - to that of President Obama giving us his input during a time a incredible crisis. I would say your talking apples and oranges for most Americans. :)
Lies, truth, whatever. When the president of the U.S. calls a news conference (or chat, or speech, or address to the Congress)(and requests the media to show it)... who decides if we get to see it?
If the airways are public... it should be on. Otherwise we need to make the airways private and they can choose who and what to show.
I don't want Fox or MSNBC to tell me who is lying and when. I'll try to figure that out all on my own thankyouverymuch (sarcasim directed at stations--- not you).
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