The Real Arlen Specter

by: Chris Bowers

Tue Oct 06, 2009 at 12:18

Red about Specter's key endorsements during his previous re-election campaign, including Rove, Cheney, Bush and Santorum.

Check out Specter's opposition to conducting investigations of wasteful contracts in Iraq, to ending private contractors conducting military interrogations, and to ending interrogation techniques not allowed in the Army Field Manuel, and more.

Learn about Arlen Specter's opposition to the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), and earmarking funds for abstinence-only education that was originally designated for child abuse prevention.

On the environment, Specter voted against tax credits for investments in renewable technology, increased auto efficiency standards, and even President Obama's budget.

And there is much, much more where that came from, on Education, Labor and Veteran's issues. There is also my personal favorite-Specter's 20% flat tax proposal, which he was pushing on the Senate floor at recently as April 10th.

Specter has a long history of opposing progressive legislation for political gain within the Republican Party. He is sounding a different tune now, but that is only because he is facing a primary challenge. There are not many things that the grassroots do which actually change Democratic behavior in Washington, but primaries are one of them. Unfortunately, if Arlen Specter wins the May 18th Pennsylvania primary, we won't have that ability to influence him at all for the remainder of President Obama's time in office.

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