Reid: Specter Will Always Vote To Break GOP Filibusters
A smart reader sends in a great catch: During an interview yesterday on MSNBC, Harry Reid appeared to make a strikingly bold assertion, claiming that newly-minted Democrat Arlen Specter would always vote with Dems to break GOP filibusters.
The key bit comes at around 1:30 in, when Reid says of Specter: “On procedural votes, he’ll be with us all the time” — directly contradicting Specter’s claim a few days ago that he wouldn’t be an automatic 60th cloture vote.
Reid’s assertion raises the possibility that Specter privately promised to be a reliable vote against GOP filibusters in exchange for full Democratic establishment support through the 2010 Pennsylvania primary and beyond.
If Specter signaled this, it would be a big boon to Dems, since the cloture vote is the heavy lift requiring 60 votes in the Senate. Of course, he would have to live up to that vow, and it’s also possible that he signaled it without ever intending to follow through.
Asked if this is what Reid meant to say, Reid spokesperson Jim Manley appeared to walk Reid’s comment back a bit. “Senator Reid never takes any vote for granted,” Manley said.
Either way, Specter’s votes on cloture are the ones to watch.
Update: Eric Kleefeld spotted this too.
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Greg
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Off topic but hilzoy from obsidianwings and washingtonmonthly fame made this video in response to the GOP GITMO fearmongering videos and I think its teh AWESOME. The DNC might want to put her on retainer.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ah7wKhvgvo
I knew there was something. I didn’t think they’d welcome him quite so very warmly if he hadn’t promised some benefit to the Democrats in return for the switch and their help getting him re-elected.
I never did think Specter was going to be our fairy godmother – he’s too hard to pin down – but that was true when he was a Repug – but there had to be something and if this is it – then it was a damn good switch.
Tena, I’m still skeptical, but we’ll see…and saw that SG. funny stuff.
I’m far from convinced myself, Greg. I’m in “wait and see” mode until further notice. But the PR from this switch would almost make it worth it, no matter how Arlen ends up voting, inasmuch as he is going to vote however he’s going to vote no matter which party he is voting from.
The switch was a major defeat for the Repugs no matter what they say, just on the PR value alone.
Really, Greg, Specter’s vote doesn’t matter. He’s one of 10 to 15 Blue Dogs, who can always, individually or as a group, hold up the progressive agenda.
Carolyn Kay
MakeThemAccountable.com