Pat Toomey defeated Arlen Specter in the 2010 Republican primary today. Pennsylvania's senior senator announced a switch from the Republicans to the Democrats. What took him so long? I don't understand conservatives who shout "betrayal" after calling Specter a Republican In Name Only for so long. First, conservatives don't lose anything in the shift; Republicans do. There's one more septuagenarian solon with a "D" next to his name. So what? Second, if Specter really were a RINO, a shift to the Democratic Party should be applauded as honest and fitting. Third, the Republican Party has in the last twenty or so years nominated for president McCain, Dole, and Bush (four times). When are conservatives going to figure out that they are the ones who are Republicans In Name Only?

"When are conservatives going to figure out that they are the ones who are Republicans In Name Only?"

That is perfect.

Specter talked about himself and his potential to win an election. Oh and he mentioned how irritated he was to no longer be committee chairman. His appearance today was the epitome of a self serving politician.

Any time a politician changes parties,regardless of what he's called by his people is betrayal.

His switching parties seems to be more about the very good possibility that he wouldn't be able to be re-elected as a republican, so his switch of parties was more about self interest than political ideaolgy.

Lastly he stated very clearly just a few weeks ago that he wasn't switching and made a huge case for why it would be a disaster if one party controlled everything.

I concur--this is indeed another perfect post.

I don’t know the answer. But do we not stand on Conservative principles to insure that at least the semblance of an opposition party is viable? Or do we stand on those principles and watch the only potential impediment to a way left run away Democrat agenda evaporate? I’d like to believe we can have cake and eat it too but I think the days of a Ronald Reagan coming to power went away when the greatest generation died off and the population of Boomers and their spawn, indoctrinated for forty years in socialist/liberal academia, became the majority. I guess the answer might lie in the cycle. Hoping that eventually some Boomers come to their senses and their aging children pick up the Conservative mantle.