The biggest result of the Specter party switch is the loss of cover for Democrats.
They can no longer blame the Republicans for anything over the next two years at least.
They have their 60 vote majority in the senate
They have their majority in the white house
they have the presidency.
They OWN the next two years and every problem that takes place during it, from economics, to job loss to terror they own the lot.
Now they won’t even be able to give phony excuses to their base as to why they aren’t doing x y or z. There is no chance of Specter switching back, the nutroots will now have to be appeased with more than words.
In the short run it will mean a lot more pain for the country, in the long run it will mean the country will see what liberal democratic rule does to a free society.
Be careful what you wish for of Democrats.
UPDATE: The campaign spot mimics my line of reasoning in a way:
Arlen Specter has made the right decision to win reelection right now; the problem is, he doesn’t face the voters right now. He faces Democratic voters in May 2010, and he faces Pennsylvanians as a whole in November 2010. Right now, being a Democrat and being affiliated with President Obama is a winning hand in Keystone State politics. Today, Arlen Specter bet his next term that the political environment won’t change significantly in the next 18 months.
We will see. But it is very, very rare for a political environment to remain in stasis for an 18-month period.
I bet it will be a rather exciting time.
Update 2 : Red State and Flopping Aces get it.
Though Democrats will fail and will blame the previous administration for it, the American people won’t buy it. They elected these guys in 2006 and 2008, and now they expect to see something for it. They have been very patient with President Obama and have been quick to forgive his many rookie mistakes. But, as the Rasmussen survey reveals, they are not so willing to forgive Congressional Democrats. But now, at long last, both the White House and the Congress have to show the voters that they can solve problems, not just make them worse.
Democrats spent trillions and have absolute power. What will they be able to show for it? America and the rest of the world are watching. Republicans, that’s your cue. Hit your marks, and don’t forget your lines.
