Farewell to Arlen Specter

Senator Arlen Specter has exited, stage left, from the Republican Party. The truth is, he has long been a Republican in name only for decades. Having begun his tenure in the Senate in 1981 as one noted for his independence, he has evolved into a very serious Liberal. One could argue that Democrats like Bill Nelson of Florida and Evan Bayh of Indiana were as conservative as him.
In spite of this, he had his moments that were beneficial to conservatives. One could argue that Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas (certainly one of the most conservative jurists on the Supreme Court) would not be if it were not for Specter championing him in a very grueling confirmation process. In fact, the bulk of the help conservatives have gotten from Specter has been in the appointment arena, but then again he has helped many Liberals get into their various offices as well.Spectorbelieves that the President should have discretion to make appointments. His help to conservatives in the appointment area is philosophical, but not in the way those on the right desire.

The final straw for conservatives when it came to Specter may have happened in January of this year when the Senator voted for the President’s far reaching “bailout” that dramatically increased the size of the government’s budget and scope of its power, but the electoral problems facing the Senator go much further back. In 2004 conservative Congressman Pat Toomey won 49 percent of the vote, on a much smaller budget, in the Republican Primary. This came with Spector getting substantial support from President George Bush and Sen. Rick Santorum (himself almost as conservative as Toomey). Spectoer knew it wasn’t looking promising in the future. When Specter sided with the Democrats on Obama’s package (one of only three members in either House of Congress to do so), Toomey couldn’t wait to go after Specter again. He immediately resigned his position from the Free Market think tank, Club for Growth to get ready to run again.

There was no way Specter would survive another Republican challenge in 2010. There have been rumors that Specter was changing parties for years, he formally made that decision when he casted his vote in January for the President’s package.

Those Republicans who are moderate or lean to the left will cry “the sky is falling” with the departure of Specter. The most common concern will be the end of the GOP’s ability to filibuster. Anyone of either party can filibuster and it will require 60 votes to bring it to a stop. Spector’s failure to support a filibuster in January is among the reasons the bill passed. For most conservatives, Specter’s departure is a victory in restoring the GOP into a party that means something. It is a first step towards becoming a party that stands for traditional values, free enterprise, and limited government. This is a first step in the Republican Party’s own road to recovery.

Kevin Price is Host of the Price of Business, the longest running show on CNN 650 (M-F at 11 am), AOL Radio, and CBS Radio. Eric Bolling of Fox News and Fox Business says that Price’s Blog “is very influential and moves the blogosphere.” Steve Moore of the Wall Street Journal calls Price the “best business talk show host in the country.” Find out why and visit his blog at www.BizPlusBlog.com and his show site at www.PriceofBusiness.com. You can also find Price on Strategy Room at FoxNews.com.

The Political Earthquake of 2010 is Starting to Rumble

Most people are expecting a political earthquake like we have not seen since 1980 or 1994. The expected arrival of that event is 2010, but rumbles towards that date are happening now. What is interesting is that one of the earliest targets among those who have grown disgusted with a government out of control isn't a Democrat, but long time Senator Arlen Spector of Pennsylvania. This Republican Liberal has long been the subject of Conservative disdain.

Spector has been suspicious in the eyes of the Conservative rank and file for years. Not only did he vote for the terrible TARP package last Fall, he went so far of being only one of three Republicans to vote for Obama's massive package in January of this year. For many, this only added insult to a political career that has long injured Conservative causes.

Today it is being reported in everything from the Wall Street Journal to CQ Politics that Pat Toomey, Chairman of the fiscally Conservative Club for Growth, is resigning from that position in order to make a run for the United States Senate. His reason for leaving is "to pursue other opportunities." He goes on to state that "I feel extremely honored to have been able to lead such a great organization," in a statement released Monday."And while I will certainly miss the Club for Growth, I am comforted knowing that the organization will be left in the capable and talented hands of my former congressional colleague" (former Rep. Chris Chocola, R-IN).

Toomey is no stranger to elected office and was once a US Representative from the State of Pennsylvania. While in office he collected a solid Conservative voting record on many issues and not just economics, the National Review noted during the debate over who McCain should choose for Vice President that:

-Toomey holds a 0% rating by NARAL (National Abortion Rights Action League), indicating a solid pro-life voting record
-Toomey is in favor of school prayer
-Toomey voted yes on the 2003 energy policy proposed by President Bush
-Toomey voted no on prohibiting ANWR drilling
-Toomey has repeatedly voted in favor of free trade
-Toomey is rated A by the National Rifle Association

It goes on to point out that, of course, "Toomey is a tax cutter and a limited-government proponent. The Club For Growth's efforts reflect his commitment to these conservative principles."

After the massive Tea Party events on Wednesday, April 15, many are going to be looking at a place to funnel their energies. The center of the political universe will be the US House and US Senate. If the Tea Party hopes to be more than just a fad, they need to pursue changing the make up of the Congress in 2010.




Kevin Price is Host of the Price of Business, the longest running show on CNN 650 (M-F at 11 am), AOL Radio, and CBS Radio. Eric Bolling of Fox News and Fox Business says that Price’s Blog “is very influential and moves the blogosphere.” Steve Moore of the Wall Street Journal calls Price the “best business talk show host in the country.” Find out why and visit his blog at www.BizPlusBlog.com and his show site at www.PriceofBusiness.com.