Arlen Specter is Switching Parties!

[DirtyMartini]

He's doing it because he can't get re-elected as a Republican. Duh.

This should be no cause for celebration among Democrats. He's just lifted the lid on the septic tank and let us smell the stinking cesspool of self-promotion that is modern politics.

[Theben]

The nation's fiscal situation is already much, much worse than under Bush and Obama's decision to double down in Afghanistan means we'll be up to our necks in COIN warfare and nation-building for the forseeable future. Things are already worse than under Bush and Pakistan looks like it might go down in the near future...

Not as bad as a partisan as yourself wants it to be, but yeah it still sucks. However the problems he is facing would be the same McCain would be- with a lot less political capital at home and abroad.

You could argue that Obama wouldn't have his capital were it not for Bush. It took someone with his level of incompetent authoritarianism to make any dem look like a saint in comparison.

[DanS]

So, where does this leave the GOP nationally

This particular event has no impact on the national standing of the GOP. It may have an impact on Pennsylvania, but that impact may be complicated. It may have an impact on a few votes in the Senate.

[chequita guevara]

I'm disappointed in that I was hoping the moderates in the Republican Party would actually put up a ****ing fight. In this low time, when is a better chance? Tell them they messed up and now we're going to take the party back. Bah... bunch of wusses.

It's not just Specter. Apparently a lot of PA GOPers have switched parties.

[chequita guevara]

[Q=DinoDoc;5585734]Considering the value of his word, I wouldn't hold my breath on him switching his position on Labor's No Choice act:[/q]

What choice does Labor have now? The choice to hold an election is entirely in the hands of the business, not the workers. EFCA moves that choice to the workers.

[-Jrabbit]

If the workers want to control the voting rules, maybe they should start their own buisnesses.

(Sorry che couldn't resist...)

[Zkribbler]

What choice does Labor have now? The choice to hold an election is entirely in the hands of the business, not the workers. EFCA moves that choice to the workers.

More precisely:

Now, labor gathers cards from 50.1% of the employees asking for a union, and then the labor gets to demand an election as to whether to unionize.

With the new law, if labor gathers cards from 50.1% of the employees asking for a union, presto: they're unionized.

This just simplifies a two-step procedure into a one-step procedure. But either way, the union still needs a majority of workers to support it.

BTW: If management wants to decertify a union, it need only gather cards from 50.1% of its employees asking for decertification.

[Zkribbler]

If the workers want to control the voting rules, maybe they should start their own buisnesses.

And be management -- who are by definition: vile, evil, demon spawn?! No way!!

[DinoDoc]

What choice does Labor have now?

Deal with a secret ballot they can't influence?

[Ben Kenobi]

Good riddance to bad rubbish.

Now if only Snowe and Collins will join him.

[MrFun]

Good riddance to bad rubbish.

You're leaving Apolyton?

[Imran Siddiqui]

It's not just Specter. Apparently a lot of PA GOPers have switched parties.

From what I read, a lot of those PA GOPers signed up as Dems to vote in the Dem primaries in 2008. Doesn't mean they will all stay there.

[Imran Siddiqui]

More precisely:

Now, labor gathers cards from 50.1% of the employees asking for a union, and then the labor gets to demand an election as to whether to unionize.

With the new law, if labor gathers cards from 50.1% of the employees asking for a union, presto: they're unionized.

This just simplifies a two-step procedure into a one-step procedure. But either way, the union still needs a majority of workers to support it.

BTW: If management wants to decertify a union, it need only gather cards from 50.1% of its employees asking for decertification.

Yeah, who needs secret ballots. That's just Unamerican! Let's ask George McGovern, uber-conservative, what he thinks of this?

[Ben Kenobi]

You're leaving Apolyton?

And give you the pleasure?

Why would I end my unending streak of disappointments?

[Zkribbler]

Yeah, who needs secret ballots. That's just Unamerican!

So you think it's okay that management, who has the power to hire and fire, can do a card check to decertify a union, but that labor organizers, who have no power of the employees, must do first a card check and then an election to certify a union?

Yep, that sounds fair and balanced.