>>Voting-wise he left the party long ago. ;)
>
>More likely the party left him. In this part of the country (middle Atlantic up to New England), there used to be plenty of moderate Republicans. But the right wing of the Republican party decided to attack those people, and drive them out, either out of office or out of the party. There are no longer any Republicans in the House from New England, not even in Connecticut, which, IIRC, is the wealthiest state. As of this year, two Senators, both moderates from Maine.

The politicians have left the people. In this country (from sea to shining sea), there used to be plenty of reasonable Constitutionally grounded politicians. But the extreme wings of both parties decided to attack those people, and drive them out out of office and out of their respective parties. There is no longer any sembellence of Constitutional restraint upon State power adhered to by elected representatives on the national level and it's permeating into the state and local levels.

>Personally, I'm happy to see the Republican party, as it now stands, continue to marginalize itself. When they start listening to thinkers again, they'll have a national role again.

I agree that the Republican party needs this house cleaning. However, the 60 Senator barrier was the last check protecting the citizenry from the tyranny of the majority. Our government functions best when power is split. We have failed to learn this lesson from history so it's time for a refresher course.

If party lines are not crossed to provide a check, it will take decades to undo the damage.

>>Looking to avoid the primary.
>>http://www.realclearpolitics.com/politics_nation/2009/04/pa_sen_poll_specter_down_21.html
>>
>>Despicable, classless, fraudulent...typical politician.
>
>Seems far more classless and fraudulent to stay in a party that stands for things you despise just for political reasons than to switch to a party you agree with more.
>
>Tamar