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Statements, statements galore—A recap

Big news always means lots of big statements, politicians putting out often-generic statements responding to the talk of the town. For your enjoyment, we’ve excerpted many of those statements below. Specter’s
original statement is here.

PAT TOOMEY, REPUBLICAN SENATE CANDIDATE:

“Senator Specter’s decision is in keeping with his record. 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, Senator Specter has made numerous statements about how important it is to deny Democrats the 60th seat in the U.S. Senate and how he categorically intended to remain a Republican to prevent one-party dominance in Washington.

What Pennsylvanians must now ask themselves is whether Senator Specter is in fact devoted to any principle other than his own reelection.”

JOE TORSELLA, DEMOCRATIC SENATE CANDIDATE:

“I decided to run for the U.S. Senate from Pennsylvania for one simple reason: I believe we need new leadership, new ideas and new approaches in Washington. It’s becoming obvious that the old ways of doing business might have worked for the special interests, but they haven’t worked for the rest of us.

Nothing about today’s news regarding Senator Specter changes that or my intention to run for the democratic nomination to the senate in 2010—an election that is still a full year away.”

T.J. ROONEY, STATE DEMOCRATIC PARTY CHAIR:

“The Pennsylvania Democratic Party welcomes Sen. Arlen Specter with open arms as he has been a tremendous influence on Pennsylvania and has always voted his conscience for the good of his constituents.

“It was the Republican Party that abandoned Arlen Specter, not the other way around. He has been good for the commonwealth and has taken courageous stands, such as supporting President Barack Obama’s stimulus plan that is already helping hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians.

“While the endorsement process is, obviously, a long time from now, the Pennsylvania Democratic Party has a long-standing practice of supporting Democratic incumbents.”

ROB GLEASON, STATE GOP CHAIR:

“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. It is apparent that he chose to act in his own self-interest and put his political ambitions first. The Republican Party has room for conservatives and moderates because we are the Party of ideas.

“I, like many of my fellow Pennsylvania Republicans, took Senator Specter at his word when he said that he would not switch parties, and I believe he owes every Republican who has supported him over the last three decades an apology. I would urge Senator Specter to do the right thing and proactively return any and all campaign contributions he has received in recent months to run as a Republican in the upcoming election. I am sure that most, if not all, of these donors would not have supported a Democrat candidate.

“Senator Arlen Specter can rest assured that we are committed to winning this seat back for the Republican Party in 2010. I am confident that we will win this seat back.”

TOM RIDGE, FORMER GOVERNOR (R):

“I’ve known Arlen Specter for many years. In no way does his departure from the Republican Party diminish his long record of service to his country and to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

As Arlen will understand, my support is with my Party and with the people of my home state, whom I believe can best be served in the Senate by the GOP.

So let’s begin the discussion of ideas with a respectful contest as Pennsylvania and the nation continue to work collectively through these challenging times.”

ROBERT MENENDEZ, DEMOCRATIC SENATORIAL CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE CHAIR:

“We welcome Senator Arlen Specter to the Democratic Party. The more the merrier. I just spoke with the Senator on the phone, told him that I look forward to supporting him and making sure this seat stays Democratic in November of 2010.

But today’s news is proof positive that the Republican Party is so out of touch with Americans that they’re losing one of its most prominent leaders. The Republican leadership in Congress, by obstructing and blocking progress at every turn, has poisoned the Republican party to a point where one of its own has to jump ship.

We thought Republicans may have hit rock bottom in November, but given their current strategy the hole they’re digging keeps getting deeper. If Republicans continue to vote against progress and bet against the American economy, today’s blow will be nothing compared to the long-term loss they will feel for years to come.”

RICK SANTORUM, FORMER U.S. SENATOR:

“I spoke with Arlen this morning and he explained his reasoning to me. I told him I was deeply disappointed that he felt he had to do it. His decision is a huge blow to the Republican’s ability to moderate any of President Obama’s very liberal proposals, and I can only hope that Arlen will be as independent as a Democrat as he has been as a Republican.”

CONGRESSMAN JOE SESTAK (D-7), POSSIBLE SENATE CANDIDATE:

“This shows the principle rule of politics: tomorrow is always another day — as today was. This may be good for Arlen, politically; however, two key questions need to be answered. First, after 31 years in the military, I learned that you run for something, not against someone. Arlen has made a decision to leave a race because he could not win against someone. What needs to be known is what he is running for. Second, I watched then-Gov. Clinton and then-Sen. Obama take a leadership position in the Democratic Party and shape it. The leadership that would have been most impressive would be if Arlen had used his role to reshape the Republican Party that he said he had entered when it was a ‘big tent,’ but now is leaving because it has gotten too small. In short, I believe that the principles of what he is running for and his commitment to accountable leadership are questions that still need to be addressed.”

CONGRESSMAN JASON ALTMIRE (D-4):

“Senator Arlen Specter has been a courageous and independent leader throughout his career. Today’s announcement is one more example of Senator Specter’s determination to do what he thinks is right for the people of Pennsylvania.

“Regardless of party affiliation, I have worked with Senator Specter in the past to strengthen our economy and help Pennsylvania families, and I look forward to continuing to do so in the future.”

CONGRESSMAN JOE PITTS (R-16):

“I am deeply disappointed that Senator Specter would choose to align himself with so many of the irresponsible policies we are seeing the Democrats attempting to implement in Washington. From a trillion dollar energy tax, to government-run healthcare, to a $3.6 trillion budget and deficit spending as far as the eye can see, I am saddened that Senator Specter has chosen to align himself with the party that has brought us these kinds of irresponsible policies.”

CONGRESSMAN PATRICK MURPHY (D-8):

“I welcome Senator Specter to the Party of Change. I look forward to working with him on issues that matter to Pennsylvania families like supporting middle class families’ right to join a union and the Democratic Party’s pro-jobs agenda.”

PAT MEEHAN, LIKELY GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE (R):

“I am as disappointed with Senator Specter’s decision to join Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi as I was with his stimulus vote. I see opportunity and hope in Pennsylvania’s future and want to fight within the party to bring discipline to government spending and restraint to taxation.” ‘

CONGRESSMAN JIM GELRACH (R-6):

“Senator Specter’s stunning decision removes the checks and balances in the legislative process at a critical time for our great nation. The senator’s decision practically guarantees that the majority will use their legislative might to ram through initiatives without taking any time to consider reasonable alternatives that produce better legislation for the American people.

Just a few weeks ago, Senator Specter said he decided to remain in the GOP because ‘as a governmental matter, it is very important to have a check and balance. That’s a very important principle in the operation of our government.’

Today’s announcement is a clear breach of that principle and most disappointing.”

April 28, 2009 at 5:31 pm

--Dan Hirschhorn

Tags: Arlen Specter

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