Specter blames Club for Growth for GOP’s demise, says there should be a party ‘rebellion’

At a news conference explaining his decision to switch to the Democratic Party, Senator Arlen Specter ticked off a list of moderate Republicans who were targeted by the conservative Club for Growth and later lost in the general election.

Citing Maryland’s Wayne Gilchrest, Michigan’s Joe Schwartz and New Mexico’s Heather Wilson, among others, Specter made the argument that the GOP’s conservative wing had made it impossible to hold seats. Fingering the Club For Growth in…

Live-blogging the Specter news conference

Specter is giving his news conference now…

2:22 Specter explaining how this move really began with his vote for the Stimulus Package, calling it “indispensable” to stop another Great Depression.

2:23 this plays into Steele’s hands – Specter marginalizing the “jury” of the Pennsylvanian Republican Primary Electorate – treating these people like the tea bagging fringe they are (or at least are perceived to be).

2:24 This is how he will frame his run: about…

Going too fast…

No more Josh Shapiro, Rob Gleason upset, Luksik and Toomey Happen and…

T.J. ROONEY ECSTATIC!

Wow, how many parties can brag about picking up a popular senator in the middle of a term. OMG!

Oh My God! A Bombshell!

Arlen is a Democrat. I feel bad for him, being forced out like this. But now, if no other Democrats enter, Specter will win another term over Toomey in a landslide. It doesn’t matter what Toomey wants. ITS OVER… barring a serious primary challenge…

I don’t know what to say, I’m gasping. Check out the front page for the whole story..

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Specter holding 3:30 phone presser

I’ll be on a conference call for reporters with Senator Specter later today. Should be interesting.

Luksik says Specter has ‘gone home’

GOP Senate candidate Peg Luksik joined the ranks of Republicans who are calling Arlen Specter’s decision to switch parties a simple case of political opportunism.

“It is clear that Arlen Specter stands with President Obama on a host of issues and with this decision, has gone home to the Democratic Party,” Luksik said in a statement.

“It was clear months ago that Senator Specter had lost support from his Republican base, and could not succeed…

Gleason ‘deeply disappointed’ by Specter’s switch

State Republican Party Chairman Rob Gleason vowed today to win back Arlen Specter’s Senate seat for the GOP, hours after Specter announced he would become a Democrat.

“I am deeply disappointed in Senator Arlen Specter’s decision to leave the Republican Party, as he has benefited from the support of our Party for many years,” Gleason said in a statement. “It is apparent that he chose to act in his own self-interest and put his political…

Toomey says Specter switch was typical Arlen

Republican Pat Toomey, who will now have to wait until next year’s general election for another shot at Arlen Specter, sought to paint Specter’s decision to switch parties today as one of pure political opportunism.

“Senator Specter’s decision is in keeping with his record,” Toomey said in a statement. “He is more at home in the Democratic Party than the Republican Party. That has been true for decades, not just true today.

“In recent weeks,…

WOAH! Specter blows up Washington with party switch.

Sixty in the Senate?

Those are the words on eager Democratic lips as Arlen Specter stunned the political world today by announcing his pIn his statement announcing his intention to switch, Specter writes:/p
blockquotepSince my election in 1980, as part of the Reagan Big Tent, the Republican Party has moved far to the right. Last year, more than 200,000 Republicans in Pennsylvania changed their registration to…

$84 million in Stimulus Funds Headed to Charleroi Locks Replacement Project

By THE OFFICE OF CONGRESSMAN JOHN MURTHA (D-12)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman John P. Murtha, Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, announced today that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has designated $84 million in the recently passed economic stimulus bill for the continued replacement of the Monongahela River locks at Charleroi.

“Today’s funding announcement is much-welcomed news for our region,” said Murtha. “Pittsburgh is the second busiest inland port in the United…