Senator Spector Switches Parties

[Susan Horn]

I think its great that he's leaving the Republicans. They've clearly lost touch with their values and beliefs in the past 21 years.

OTOH, its a damn shame he had to join the Democrats. They care even less about the future (or the past) of this nation that the Republicans and that's saying a lot.

It would be really nice if he could have switched to a party that believed in the Constitution, the Bill of Rights and in particular, the 10th Amendment. But, of course, neither party does.

I'm a Democrat, and I care a great deal about the future and past of this nation, as do many of my Dem friends.

I don't think such broad generalizations as you've made are often helpful or true, but more often inflammatory. If fanning the flames of polarization is your goal, then you are likely to succeed. But if engaging in respectful, intelligent discourse, or seeking to understand points of view that differ from yours, or working perhaps toward a path to consensus or compromise is what you're after, I don't see this approach as the way to get there.

 

[6thGen]

Go back and re-read your history on FDR's "court-packing". Unless Obama tries to expand the number of justices on the Supreme Court by 50%, there is no similarity. FDR was able to appoint 8 justices only because he was president for 12 years.

And, FDR's attempt at court packing failed, Congress stopped it.

I'm well familiar with the history, and I wasn't speaking to Obama's actions w/r/t SCOTUS, I'm speaking of his actions that mirror some of FDRs unsettling moves. hnooe wanted to get rid of Scalia and Thomas, and I noted that he could not follow that move since his liberal block is older. FDR tried to pack the Court based on McReynolds' (one of the main New Deal dissenters) recommendation made as AG under Wilson. I know it's cute to tell me to re-read history and that I don't know what I'm talking about, but it just makes you look foolish.

 

[Smiling JOe]

Wasn't Specter a Democrat when was Assistant District Attorney? What's the big deal? It isn't like his values are changing. He simply is trying to milk political life for all he can get out of it.

Remember, Specter was the author of the Warren Commission report, which state that Pres. Kennedy and Gov Connally were hit by a single bullet. (laugh) Talk about being confused, when Specter ran for District Attorney, he did so as a registered Democrat, on the REPUBLICAN ticket. If you read about Sen Specter, he has been at odds against each the Republican Party and the Democratic Party at different times in history.

 

[Here4Good]

I'm well familiar with the history, and I wasn't speaking to Obama's actions w/r/t SCOTUS, I'm speaking of his actions that mirror some of FDRs unsettling moves. hnooe wanted to get rid of Scalia and Thomas, and I noted that he could not follow that move since his liberal block is older. FDR tried to pack the Court based on McReynolds' (one of the main New Deal dissenters) recommendation made as AG under Wilson. I know it's cute to tell me to re-read history and that I don't know what I'm talking about, but it just makes you look foolish.

At least you think I'm cute! And foolish!

Court packing refers to FDR's attempt to expand the size of the court, not the choices he made or his attempts to force a retirement age.

Is hnooe part of the Obama administration now? Congratulations, h!

 

[Lynnie]

Wasn't Specter a Democrat when was Assistant District Attorney? What's the big deal? It isn't like his values are changing. He simply is trying to milk political life for all he can get out of it.

Remember, Specter was the author of the Warren Commission report, which state that Pres. Kennedy and Gov Connally were hit by a single bullet. (laugh) Talk about being confused, when Specter ran for District Attorney, he did so as a registered Democrat, on the REPUBLICAN ticket. If you read about Sen Specter, he has been at odds against each the Republican Party and the Democratic Party at different times in history.

Waffles, anyone? I liked whigged cream on mines!!

 

[Lynnie]

At least you think I'm cute! And foolish!

Court packing refers to FDR's attempt to expand the size of the court, not the choices he made or his attempts to force a retirement age.

Is hnooe part of the Obama administration now? Congratulations, h!

hnooe's a politician? Hoooonooooooo~~~~~~~~~~~~~

;-)

 

[6thGen]

At least you think I'm cute! And foolish!

Court packing refers to FDR's attempt to expand the size of the court, not the choices he made or his attempts to force a retirement age.

He wouldn't have tried to expand the Court if they didn't keep striking down pieces of the New Deal. He was trying to dilute dissention. Saying that FDRs methods have nothing to do with the reference to his own attempts at court packing is ridiculous.

 

[6thGen]

Remember, Specter was the author of the Warren Commission report, which state that Pres. Kennedy and Gov Connally were hit by a single bullet.

That's one of the very few things he got right.

 

[lennonsdarlin]

Whew!!!! I thought we were talking 'bout PHIL!!!!:rofl:

 

[Here4Good]

He wouldn't have tried to expand the Court if they didn't keep striking down pieces of the New Deal. He was trying to dilute dissention. Saying that FDRs methods have nothing to do with the reference to his own attempts at court packing is ridiculous.

And ridiculous! I am on a roll today.

Sorry, 6thGen, I get persnickity when words and phrases are used indiscriminately. "Court-packing" refers to a specific act of FDR's, as a tactic he used as part of his general strategy to replace members of an unfriendly court. Tossing it about to mean his entire strategy is imprecise, and then accusing Obama (and, interestingly enough, hnooe) of "court-packing" is sloppy thinking, something you are above.