Arlen Specter Comes Out of the Closet. Who Cares?

On Tuesday Senator Arlen Specter came out of the political closet, admitting that after all these years he's-gasp-a Democrat.

As someone who's been registered with both political parties at one time or another and who's voted for candidates from a variety of political persuasions over the years, its never bothered me that Senator Specter, from my home state of Pennsylvania, hasn't followed every directive of the Republican Party. Neither party has a lock on good ideas, and I respect someone who uses his conscience as his compass when deciding how to vote.

But if Specter has always voted his conscience regardless of the directives of the Republican party, why the sudden need to change parties now?

Actually Specter's sudden revelation isn't about being true to himself or finally admitting he's always been a closet Democrat. He's realized that after voting for excessive spending in the name of stimulus that he'll likely lose the Republican primary. So he's scurrying to the Democratic side, using the excuse that his constituency has swung that way for cover. But if his constituency respected his independent streak before, why won't they in the next election?

The truth is, Specter isn't worried about his constituents at all. He's voted in his own best interest for years. He makes decisions by wetting his finger, holding it high in the air, and determining the direction of the political winds, regardless of his constituents' concerns.

Now he's tested the political wind (oh, the flatulence) and has decided he can't win the Republican primary. So, he's switching parties, as if the voters will like him better if he wears a different hat.

If Specter were truly representing me and my interests, I'd vote for him no matter which party he aligned himself with. After all, I've done so in years past.

But the opposite is also true. Specter no longer represents my interests or those of other Pennsylvanians, only his own, and no matter which party he aligns himself with, he won't be receiving my support in the next election.

Ironically, Specter's "revelation" may prove to be his undoing. Our founding fathers created a system of checks and balances for a reason, and after the last few months of runaway spending enabled by one-party control, I think voters are reminded of the founding father's wisdom.

By changing parties, Specter has aligned himself with the party in power. If voters decide it's best to have checks and balances, Specter has just positioned himself into a losing position.

Now that he's out of the closet, there's no hiding Specter's big spending bent. In the end, voters may decide that we need enough Republicans in the House and Senate to slow down the Democrats and their bloated spending plans. Arlen Specter may lose the election for the very reason he changed parties. He wants to win first and foremost.