May 6th, 2009 // comments (0)

Welcome To The Party – Arlen Specter Stripped Of Seniority

On Meet the Press this week Arlen Specter seemed convinced he had forged a deal to keep his seniority as he switched back to the Democratic party. Let’s go to the transcript…

MR. GREGORY: You won’t retain your seniority, as you move over, on, on key committees?

SEN. SPECTER: Well, that is, that is, that is true. But…

MR. GREGORY: That’s not an inducement, Senator?

SEN. SPECTER: Well, no, that’s an entitlement. I’ve earned, I’ve earned the seniority. I was elected in 1980. And I think that’s, that’s not a bribe or a gift or something extraordinary. I will be treated by the Democrats as if I’d been elected as a Democrat.

He must be smashing his face in his morning cereal bowl this AM after learning he’d be back to ‘junior’ status. Oh, to be a five term junior senator must be painful! Then again, there is a price to play for political expediency — and Arlen Specter just paid that price.

Related:

• April 28, 2009 -- The Phone Call: Obama Congratulates Arlen Specter
• April 28, 2009 -- Arlen Specter On March 17th: ‘I’m Staying Republican’
• April 28, 2009 -- Specter Switches Teams: Republican Senator Now Democrat
• March 12, 2009 -- Democrats Raising Their ‘Ugly Heads’
• March 4, 2009 -- Dems Behind Rush Limbaugh Push
• February 13, 2009 -- House Passes Stimulus 246-183
• February 6, 2009 -- Democrats Can’t Get TWO Votes?
• January 30, 2009 -- Gregg To Commerce = Super Majority
• December 2, 2008 -- The Epic Fall Of Al Franken
• December 2, 2008 -- Harry Reid Mocks D.C. Tourists