What you say is true about both parties. The problem is that ONLY the Republicans get criticized for their move to the extremes. But most self-identified moderates/centrists give the Democrats a pass for their corresponding move to the extreme. Thus, one party pays a political cost for moving to the extreme while the other party pays none. And that skew of incentives inevitably finds its way into policy as Democrats face no disincentive to indulge their base essentially without limit. Right now, for example, they are throwing conservative Democrat Ben Nelson under the bus without even a hint of the kind of outcry that Republicans got for throwing Spector under the bus.

I am staying a Republican because I think I have an important role, a more important role, to play there. The United States very desperately needs a two-party system. That’s the basis of politics in America. I’m afraid we are becoming a one-party system, with Republicans becoming just a regional party with so little representation of the northeast or in the middle atlantic. I think as a governmental matter, it is very important to have a check and balance. That’s a very important principle in the operation of our government. In the constitution on Separation of powers.

With his integrity level, he’s certainly at home now

In 2001 When the Vermont Republican Jim Jeffords became an independent, Specter lost a committee chairmanship in the Senate’s resulting power shift. An angry Specter proposed a ban on such party switches.

Specter’s been an astonishing senator- he’s served 5 full terms and is 79 years old. Retire, for god’s sake. Let someone else try his/her hand at it for the next few decades.

Is 79 the new 49? Wish I could ask Strom Thurmond- another example of unflagging narcissism.

In 2008 American Conservative Union gave Senator Specter a rating of 42 percent
Senator Specter supported the interests of the American Conservative Union 32 percent in 1997.

He was what he was. A Conservative he was not. He used the R label to get elected, nothing more.

From the looks of it, the guy seems to have lacked principles to begin with, so it may be hasty to read too much into it. However, I agree that the GOP also have to blame themselves a bit – he may have been shaky but it takes a lot of shaking to make someone switch sides. It is also an example of how ridiculously similar DC politicians really are compared to the expectations of their base.

Well, one less person to send to the ideological realignment facilities when… Yeah, I’ve said too much.