Specter's Switch is Good for the State

LANCASTER, Pennsylvania - As a registered Democrat in Pennsylvania, I have mixed feelings about Arlen Specter switching parties. Senator Specter has been my state senator for as long as I've been living and registered to vote in the state of Pennsylvania. I can't comment on his earlier years, but recently he has been leaning to the left with his voting, and this has swayed me to vote for him on several occasions. Senator Specter is an independent thinker. He votes the way he wants to, and votes for what he feels important; he doesn't vote strictly the way the Republican party prefers. Senator Specter has received a lot of negativity from his former fellow Republican party members because of his voting history, especially after he voted for the Stimulus Bill. He considers the impact of his vote on the people of Pennsylvania before he casts it, and as a Pennsylvanian, this is important to me. I don't want a senator to act against the best interests of the people he represents. I'm proud that Senator Specter consults with the people who hired him - his voters - before he votes to make sure he is doing the right thing. I want a state senator who votes for the people, and not for himself.

The timing is right for a switch. The Democratic Party in Pennsylvania do not have a worthy candidate to run for Senator. Many Republicans in Pennsylvania have switched their party affiliation this past year after not agreeing with John McCain and Sarah Palin. Senator Specter has a higher approval rating among registered Democrats than he does from within his own party. We like what he's doing, and we want him to continue to support Pennsylvania's best interests.

Pennsylvania was once a red state with more Republicans than Democrats, and in general supported Republican candidates, but things are changing. As the returns each year come in for Pennsylvania, more and more people are voting for the Democrat candidates. It's apparent Pennsylvania has become a blue state, and if a senator expects to win our approval, he needs to be flexible. Senator Specter has proven to us time and time again that he is willing to be flexible. I would be happy to vote for him in 2010.