On Wednesday's "Today" show, NBC's Chuck Todd called the decision of Arlen Specter – a Republican senator who has such a liberal voting record and has been such a constant-thorn-in-the-side of his party that he faced probable defeat in his own primary – to leave the GOP, "devastating." In a piece about Barack Obama's first 100 days that trumpeted his own network's new poll showing high ratings for Obama, Todd buried the GOP: "But for the Republican Party it's devastating, not just to their hopes of slowing President Obama's agenda in Congress but for what it says about the future of the GOP."
Todd then aired a sound bite from a Philadelphia area radio talk show host Michael Smerconish who advised the best way for the GOP to win seats was to "clone" Specter.
MICHAEL SMERCONISH, AUTHOR, MORNING DRIVE: The Republican Party in the aftermath of the presidential race should have come to him and tried to clone him. They need more Arlen Specters. And instead they deride him as a R.I.N.O - Republican In Name Only.
The following is the full segment as it was aired on the April 29, "Today" show:
MATT LAUER: And now to President Obama's first 100 days in office. He plans to mark the day with a town hall meeting and a prime time news conference. And on Tuesday, day 99, he got an early gift from a surprising source, long time Republican Senator Arlen Specter. Chuck Todd is NBC's chief White House correspondent. Chuck, good morning to you.
CHUCK TODD: Well good morning, Matt. You know already we've seen a lot of polls come out giving the President pretty high marks of these first 100 days. And now the proverbial cherry on top for this White House, they get Pennsylvania Republican Arlen Specter to switch parties, eliminating a potential road block, the Senate filibuster.
SEN. ARLEN SPECTER: I am not prepared to have my 29-year record in the United States Senate decided by the Pennsylvania Republican primary electorate.
TODD: For Arlen Specter the decision to leave the Republican Party was about self-preservation but for the Republican Party it's devastating, not just to their hopes of slowing President Obama's agenda in Congress but for what it says about the future of the GOP.
MICHAEL SMERCONISH, AUTHOR, MORNING DRIVE: The Republican Party in the aftermath of the presidential race should have come to him and tried to clone him. They need more Arlen Specters. And instead they deride him as a R.I.N.O - Republican In Name Only.
TODD: The Specter shakeup leaves Democrats just one Senate seat shy of hitting the filibuster proof magic number of 60. But while Specter's been a fairly reliable vote for President Obama, to many Democrats he has been on the wrong side of some big fights. Most notably his strong support for Clarence Thomas during the Anita Hill controversy in 1991.
SPECTER: He never asked you to look at pornographic movies with him?
TODD: Specter's defection made it even harder for the White House to contain its enthusiasm as they mark their first 100 days in office.
UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: You said you were pleased about Specter? Aren't you euphoric? Ebullient? I mean if Al Franken gets in, you've got a filibuster-proof Senate.
ROBERT GIBBS, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: Uh, I'll go with ebullient.
TODD: The American public seems pleased too according to the new NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll. When the President first took office, just 26 percent said the country was on the right track. Now, that number is at 43 percent. The President's job approval rating is at 61 percent. And overall, 81 percent told us they simply like him personally. But a slight majority, 52 percent, believes he's taking on too many issues. And he has had a full plate. He signed 14 bills into law, 19 Executive Orders. He's given at least 10 major speeches.
BARACK OBAMA: A difficult year for America's economy.
TODD: Held seven town halls.
OBAMA: Thank you, everybody.
TODD: Traveled to eight countries on three continents, and been in the same room with more than 90 world leaders. He's yet to throw a first pitch at a baseball game, but he has managed to sneak in one round of golf. Now, Matt, tonight the President will hold what is going to be his 11th press conference. Only Harry Truman and Bill Clinton gave more in their first 100 days. By the way, the 60th Senate seat could be former comedian and Minnesota Democrat Al Franken. Matt?
—Geoffrey Dickens is the senior news analyst at the Media Research Center.
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Comments Policy
I wonder
Wed, 04/29/2009 - 11:04 ET by SouthernRootsDoes this make Spectre a conservative Democrat now?
I won't be wronged. I won't be insulted. I won't be laid a-hand on. I don't do these things to other people, and I require the same from them. - J.B. Books (John Wayne)
I think he's still...
Wed, 04/29/2009 - 11:26 ET by heldmyw... A moderate Democrat.
And his elimination from the Republican Party is a hopeful sign that the ship is righting itself, and the rats are leaving.
It's time.
It's time...
Wed, 04/29/2009 - 18:12 ET by David N MOYup. Good riddance to bad rubbish.
Nothing has changed. Lieberman, Jeffers, Spector, McCain next? Get them out of there! All they have done is ambushed the (R)s.
David
Save me from the Good People!
David... I wished Graham,
Wed, 04/29/2009 - 18:22 ET by bigtimerDavid...
I wished Graham, Snowe, McC, Collins would take that small step across the aisle too...get it over with now.
Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart
specter deserves some token of respect
Wed, 04/29/2009 - 11:14 ET by candanceIn recognition of all the years we spent together, here is a little tribute to how much you mean to us.
It is devastating
Wed, 04/29/2009 - 11:16 ET by Kingfish17Devestating to the trend of the GOP from mid 90s to now.
Great for reversing that trend.
They need more Arlen Specters
Wed, 04/29/2009 - 11:19 ET by nolotrippenThey need more Arlen Specters.
Wrong. Republicans need NO Arlen Specters. He was a Democrat in all but name. Republicans need to be the party that:
1) Is above reproach
2) Does not tolerate criminals in office (Repub OR Demo)
3) Means what they say when they swear on a Bible to uphold the Constitution.
4) Educates citizens on what the Constitution actually says!
4) Uses the media to spread its message that Americans long to hear: small government, self-reliance, strong family, God, and guns.
5) Lets no lie about its party, its history, its members go unanswered!
Wait a minute...
Wed, 04/29/2009 - 11:19 ET by BKeyserSpecter was GOP? Who knew?...
What does it mean?
Wed, 04/29/2009 - 11:36 ET by slickwillie2001Think through the effect of Specter's switch. Will a single Specter vote in the next two years -change? Maybe, maybe not. Depends on the details of his move, ie what was he offered as bribes to make the switch. If the bribe is good enough, he might feel obliged to change his vote. Has Specter been asked if campaign money from democratic party organizations has been promised?
Re committees, as posters yesterday pointed out, the effect for Republicans will be positive. That's because a liberal vote either leaves or becomes a democratic seat, and is replaced by a Republican with a better voting record. We have a better chance of blocking bad judges now, than before Specter defected.
Specter already said that
Wed, 04/29/2009 - 12:00 ET by motherbeltSpecter already said that President Obama has promised to campaign for him next year. You can be sure that Democrat money will be forthcoming. After all, they are not about to let him go down to defeat after this.
He thinks the Republicans who voted for him before would do so again???? I would vote (as an Independent) for any Democrat who ran against him in the primary, rather than for him.
This is my letter to Sen. Specter from the contact form on his webpage:
Dear Sen. Specter:
Congratulations on your switch to the Democrat Party.
In March of this year, you stated your firm belief in the need for a two-party system and asserted that you would remain a Republican. Now, one month later, you have decided that your own career and re-election are more important than the checks and balance you claimed to cherish.
I voted for you in your last bid for re-election. Now, in return, you tell me that you refuse to allow me and the other Pennsylvania Republicans who voted for you to pass judgment on your performance. This is the height of hubris.
After 29 years, you insult the Republicans of Pennsylvania who have voted for you over many years. Putting your own reelection above all makes one wonder just whose interests you have had at heart for all your years in the Senate.
Shame on you.
They might say "Wow, that sucks!" But at least they'll say "Wow!" -Duff Goldman, the Ace of Cakes
excellent letter!
Wed, 04/29/2009 - 12:33 ET by SouthJersey1953I'll bet Specter doesn't respond.
Cannot believe it took so long to get rid of him. Now, let's convince a couple more RINOs to switch.
I'll bet Specter doesn't
Wed, 04/29/2009 - 13:27 ET by Dan The Man 2I'll bet Specter doesn't respond
Ill bet Spectiod doesn't even read it, some aide reads it and possibly sends out a letter of explanation and asking for donations.
And what about the money?
Wed, 04/29/2009 - 12:50 ET by GalvanicWill he return campaign donations that he's received from folks who thought he was a Republican?
29 years?
Wed, 04/29/2009 - 13:31 ET by katainkentterm limits anyone? *sigh*
I love to help the helpless but I'm not gonna help the clueless ~Dennis Miller
The 3R's - Rid Republicans of RINOs
Wed, 04/29/2009 - 11:43 ET by jefflebowskiSpecter's departure is a blessing. Now we can start cleaning house and rid ourselves of RINOs such as McCain, Snowe, Collins, Hatch, Graham, Cornyn, Hutchinson and a lot more! Support conservative challengers to these RINOs in the primaries! Here is Angry White Dude's take on Specter:
http://angrywhitedude.com/?p=1587
AWD
...and your take summed it
Wed, 04/29/2009 - 15:56 ET by bigtimer...and your take summed it up well.
I couldn't have said it better...posted there too.
Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart
Shallow political analysis -- nothing new for NBC
Wed, 04/29/2009 - 11:47 ET by GalvanicDemocrats love to hold guys like Specter and McCain as the model for Republican politicians. Liberal twits like Bonnie Erbe even see McCain's daughter as the future of the GOP, because they'll tolerate them. Republicans to the right of Specter and McCain are referred to as "right-wing extremists," by which they mean 'insane.'
Was Specter the future of the GOP? Hardly. He's been around for decades, and had little or no positive impact.
Is the GOP devastated over Specter's split? I don't see any of them crying over it. It's been coming for a long time. Don't forget that Specter was the only Republican attending the White House Super Bowl party -- that was no coincidence.
There's no net gain for the Dems because Specter voted with them anyway. Collins and Snowe should follow him out.
It would be interesting to see a comparison of the press reaction over Specter's defection to their reaction to Trent Lott's defection from DP to GOP. Was the DP 'devastated' when Lott left?
YES CHUCK TODD,
Wed, 04/29/2009 - 11:58 ET by klchadwickI and the rest of the party are ABSOLUTELY devastated. You could tell by all of the tears that were shed at various press conferences and news events yesterday, that Republicans are now sooooooo depressed that a liberal has publicly declared himself as such. It's so horrible, I'm not sure how we are all going to get through it. Of course.....
I am thankful for moderates out there and those like Liebermann, who I think actually have a bit of a conscience and might just vote the other way to help stop the crap that has been called bills and resolutions, from passing with a Super-majority. In all honesty, does it really matter if Specter switched? Do he numbers really make that much of a difference? I personally don't think so.
Actually, I think that this is a good turn of events for Republicans....now we don't have to worry about RINOs like Specter making us look bad in the Senate by doing things like voting for the Scamulous. Also, no Specter running on GOP tix = more money to be spent on a real conservative for that seat.
I'm really not seeing a negative here...
(btw just for posterity's sake, that first paragraph was dripping with sarcasm)
http://politicaldesert.wordpress.com
Smerconish is an idiot
Wed, 04/29/2009 - 12:01 ET by pgrossjrWith more Spectors what exactly would be the defining differences between the Democrat and Republican parties?
Seriously, Smerconish claims
Wed, 04/29/2009 - 13:06 ET by MrSnugglesSeriously, Smerconish claims to be a conservative but I have seen him take liberal positions far too many times.
Poll
Wed, 04/29/2009 - 12:06 ET by JDWDodd has a column today which links to this Obama 100 day performance poll. Take a second and make your feelings known.
JDW
DAILY WAVE
When people fear their government there is tyranny. When government fears the people there is liberty.
Gave him an F!
Wed, 04/29/2009 - 12:55 ET by expatriotThe really good news about the poll is that it is a statistical draw between A and F. MSNBC will be twisting the results and doing the shuck and jive to twist the poll into showing that the majority of those polled agree with Obambi's performance. Looking at the numbers it just isn't so.
'F'
Wed, 04/29/2009 - 13:43 ET by JDWIf you rate him as an 'F' now what about the future? Who doesn't think it will get worse?
JDW
DAILY WAVE
When people fear their government there is tyranny. When government fears the people there is liberty.
Expulsion for failing grades!
Wed, 04/29/2009 - 13:59 ET by expatriotJust like the other students, if he continues not to make the grade he gets expelled. It might take until 2012 but the start will be in 2010. The sooner he gets kicked out the better.
He Is Signing The Bills
Wed, 04/29/2009 - 14:20 ET by JDWI found this promise link evaluation.
JDW
DAILY WAVE
When people fear their government there is tyranny. When government fears the people there is liberty.
Keep pushin' that poll.
Wed, 04/29/2009 - 13:54 ET by HockeyKidKeep pushin' that poll. More are giving Fs than As at the moment--let's make MSLSD have to bury the poll 'cause it doesn't come out the way they want it to.
"Beauty is only skin deep, but liberal's to the bone." - me
Analysis- Dems Needed Specter
Wed, 04/29/2009 - 12:15 ET by BKeyser(Hell, the AP begins much of their garbage with "Analysis"- I figure I gotta be at least as credible as some of their hacks- so here goes:)
Without a doubt, Democrats had to count Specter as vulnerable in 2010. Certainly, conservative Republicans wouldn't vote for him and Toomey was way ahead in early polls. So why would Obama throw his support behind Specter? Clearly, the Dems didn't have a viable challenger to the GOP candidate. I'll bet their internal polling data shows a shift in Pennsylvania likely voters away from the policies being implemented by the White House. But by supporting Specter, they hope to hold on to Independents and moderate Republicans and eek out a Senate win for the desperado in search of a political belief system. No doubt with promises of a committee chairmanship, or Obama Personal Shoe Polisher, upon his victory.
Spector's campaign slogan: "All for one and...well...that's it, just all for one"
Yeah, Specter's departure
Wed, 04/29/2009 - 12:33 ET by fitzfongYeah, Specter's departure is devastating...well at least as devastating as losing a hangnail.
"Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery." -Winston Churchill
fitz... I put it right up
Wed, 04/29/2009 - 13:24 ET by Clear thinkerfitz...
I put it right up there with getting another grey hair. On second thought, that's giving to much credit to Specter, isn't it?
Conservatives Are Racist Swine Flu Haters
Making Fun of AGW http://giovanniworld.wordpress.com/
Upchuck Todd
Wed, 04/29/2009 - 12:54 ET by AgentAmericanSo scuba gear for Obama
2010: A GOP Hill
Loss for Republicans?
Wed, 04/29/2009 - 13:01 ET by expatriotHow can anyone in their right mind, no pun here, think that losing Spectator is a loss for the Republican party? Look at the voting record and tell me how changing his party affiliation is a loss for conservatism. Now if we could get Snow et al to follow him we could get true conservatives to run against them and start gaining seats.
Medved said on the radio
Wed, 04/29/2009 - 13:12 ET by MrSnugglesMedved said on the radio yesterday that Spectoer voted with the Republican Party 40% of the time. Unbelievable.
Get a grip
Wed, 04/29/2009 - 13:21 ET by StarAZA self-serving skeeve bolts for his own self-interest. Bye.
Will somebody please send
Wed, 04/29/2009 - 13:21 ET by Clear thinkerWill somebody please send the Memo to all media outlets that most Republicans have said "Good riddance" to Specter. Please!
Save The USA Oath
Making Fun of AGW http://giovanniworld.wordpress.com/
"MICHAEL SMERCONISH,
Wed, 04/29/2009 - 13:31 ET by ckc1227"MICHAEL SMERCONISH, AUTHOR, MORNING DRIVE: The Republican Party in the aftermath of the presidential race should have come to him and tried to clone him. They need more Arlen Specters. And instead they deride him as a R.I.N.O - Republican In Name Only"
Whatever, Smerdemish. He was called a RINO because that's what he is..er..was. Now he can stop pretending.
What the "DICKENS" is your
Wed, 04/29/2009 - 13:35 ET byyay!
Wed, 04/29/2009 - 13:54 ET by candanceThe obnoxious, profanity-spewing Christian is back!
That's called having your head so far up your ass that you can't see daylight.
I'm sure Saint Peter would have been proud.
But aside from that, let's see here:
Is your point that Specter was so liberal it's really no loss? Surely you can't be that naive?
VS
Take your party and your faith BACK. Kick the RINO's out and tell new members that there is an IDEOLOGICAL LITMUS TEST TO BE A REPUBLICAN. Show them the party platform and if they don't agree, show them the door.
So either you believe that kicking out rinos is stupid and naive but we should do it anyway...or you can't even recognize self-contradiction.
I await for another chance to bask in your genius.
Good evening candance
Wed, 04/29/2009 - 14:20 ET by cocodrieI always enjoy reading your posts and please next time use quotation marks on "christian" when referring to acts 2:38.
I suspect that in real life he really is disgruntled lunatic number 666 who is yanking our chain.
He is to this site what Benedict Arlen was to the Republican party.
Jesus Loves You so much He died for you
hi coco
Wed, 04/29/2009 - 14:26 ET by candanceYes, I agree, it is insulting to Christians everywhere for Acts Like a Pharisee to be counted in our midst.
**Acts_2-38
Wed, 04/29/2009 - 14:08 ET by pelicanmarshMan, you are so giving Jesus a bad name with your words.
Please just stop posting altogether and stop making others think that all Christians are nutjobs like you.
People are always looking for an excuse to slam Jesus and Christianity. You only help them do that with your vile rhetoric.
I'm admonishing you with the authority given to me through my King, the Lion from the Tribe of Judah. By whose authority are you spouting such venom and hate?
As you say, the only thing Specter could be counted on...
Wed, 04/29/2009 - 14:06 ET by ThalpyAs you say, the only thing Specter could be counted on for is disappointment. Smerconish's comments on cloning Specter would have been better left unsaid. We've had more than enough of Specter for as long as I can remember, and we will not miss him now that he's gone. It is we who should be sending the Democrats a letter of sympathy, not the other way around. Arlen is like an old car that runs some of the time--you just never know, because it's so undependable.
devastating?
Wed, 04/29/2009 - 14:26 ET by SickofLibsNo way. Kinda like the relief you get when that scab finally falls off.
Chuck Todd is a real slimey
Wed, 04/29/2009 - 15:54 ET by bigtimerChuck Todd is a real slimey piece of leftist work, always has been...always will be...I see him, I click the channel...like I did this morning on MJ.
...and am going to now.
Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart
Everyone Knows Why He Switched
Thu, 04/30/2009 - 09:03 ET by Reaganite RepublicanThis cynical, self-serving move had absolutely nothing to do with values, policy, or any high-minded thinking of any kind- though President Obama surely would like for you to think that.
Everybody knows he did it because he was down 21% in the polls leading-up to the GOP primary for his seat- and Joey Pluggs made a deal with him, he already admitted as such. The sad truth is that this hack has spent three decades in the Senate, while accomplishing little.
And Barack and him have a lot in common- as unprincipled political opportunists, I’m sure they’ll get along just great. Just a little over a month ago, the Senator said in an interview that he wouldn’t switch parties due to the importance of checks and balances.
And back in 2001, Sen. Arlen Specter, then a Republican, proposed a rule forbidding party switches… he was upset when Vt Sen. Jim Jeffords’ left the GOP to become an independent.
Who knows what the truth is with this guy, you’ll never get it from him.
With all due respect, Senator- don’t let the door hit your butt on the way out. Nobody on our side’s going to miss you.
http://reaganiterepublicanresistance.blogspot.com