Specter Joins Democrats

I find this hilarious, but also quite serious. Some of the most veteran Republican senators are being cannibalized by the party's increasingly radical rhetoric and agenda. Specter feared that he would not be able to win in the Republican primary because of his more moderate approach recently (voted for the stimulus etc). The Republican party is having an awfully difficult go of it in its attempt at being a constructive, minority party. Its tactics so far have been poor, and the results are causing some of its all-stars to jump ship. Yikes.

But those on the left who are drooling at the thought of a veto-proof majority make me want to laugh as well. This country does not need a government with unbridled and unchecked legislative authority; it needs a constructive minority party to dissent where necessary and to provide balance in what is a very dark hour in our nation's history.

It's important to remember that Specter's decision was made out of complete political desperation, and is not somehow a triumph of progressive politics. This is a wake-up call for conservative leaders around the country: cut the bullshit. If your own brilliant minds are being choked out by the raging stupidity of the pseudo-populist rhetoric, the volume needs to be turned down (or off in some cases). There will not be a "conservative" backlash in which millions of Americans will start adopting evangelical-style worldviews, so stop waiting and hoping for it (and molding your agendas as if this will be the case). Conservatism can have a 21st century face and voice, it just needs to be found. If you are looking for ideas, I suggest this book.