Specter: I Hope Coleman Wins In Minnesota

By: Charles Cooper
Topics: Hot Topic

(CBS)

Well, don't say it came as a proverbial bolt from the blue.

Pennsylvania Sen. Arlen Specter, who last week crossed parties to become a Democrat, said on Tuesday that he hoped Republican Norm Coleman would be declard the winner win Minnesota's dragged-out senate race.

In a question-and-answer interview with the New York Times Sunday Magazine, Times reporter Deborah Solomon wanted to know whether he cared that there now would be no more Jewish Republicans left in the United States Senate.

"I sure do. There's still time for the Minnesota courts to do justice and declare Norm Coleman the winner," Specter said.

Solomon quipped that seemed as likely as Jerry Seinfeld's joining the Senate. But Specter did not miss a beat.

"Well, it was about as likely as my becoming a Democrat," he said.

Coleman is defending his seat against Democrat (and former comedian himself) Al Franken. A court declared Franken the winner, but Coleman is challenging the results of the razor-thin ballot. The sides are slated to appear before the Minnesota Supreme Court next month.

Although word of the interview became an instant topic of conversation with the blogosphere-with the Daily Kos panning Specter's "Joe Lieberman impersonation," Specter can't be accused of misleading his new party. When he first appeared in public after deciding to leave the Republican Party, Specter made clear that he wasn't about to follow his new political ticket without question.

"Whatever my party affiliation, I will continue to be guided by President Kennedy's statement that sometimes party asks too much. When it does, I will continue my independent voting and follow my conscience on what I think is best for Pennsylvania and America," he said.

Charles Cooper is an executive editor at CNET News. He has covered technology and business for more than 25 years, working at CBSNews.com, the Associated Press, Computer & Software News, Computer Shopper, PC Week, and ZDNet. E-mail Charlie.

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by starleo146 May 6, 2009 11:03 AM EDT: I do hope the good people of Penn. will see through this opportunist and not vote for him he needs to retire along with a few others in the senate. Go home Spechter we need loyal dems not someone who changes to get votes and hopes COLEMAN wins in Minn. and all your votes still in the republican column. I think he is a loser every which way you look at him; Reply to this comment


by mattcat25 May 6, 2009 9:59 AM EDT: The People of Transylvania need to vote in a different vampire.

Blah!; Reply to this comment


by dante805 May 6, 2009 9:27 AM EDT: Glad he's a DEM now. What a creep.; Reply to this comment


by mrzerato May 6, 2009 9:19 AM EDT: I kept hearing from the republicans, I am glad he is gone. They said after you have him for a time, you will wish you never had him. Well they are right. I wish he would go back to the republican party or into the Jewish independent party with Lieberman. I just wish he would go. If he shows no loyalty and no wish for another democrat in office, who needs him.; Reply to this comment


by novamba May 6, 2009 9:18 AM EDT: A man without his word, and an opportunist at that, should not be passing judgement on what others should or should not do. For the record, I think both parties are full of it.; Reply to this comment


by novamba May 6, 2009 9:15 AM EDT: Spell check, edit, you staffers at CBS ever here of that?
Posted by j_flood at 5:53 AM : May 6, 2009

Did you mean "Hear"?; Reply to this comment


by didserve May 6, 2009 9:06 AM EDT: Watch AIPAC get involved now!; Reply to this comment


by trillion1 May 6, 2009 9:03 AM EDT: What is it with the gop and reality. They were kicked out wholesale in two elections. Only 21% identify with the rightwing now but they still act like they are relevent.; Reply to this comment


by j_flood May 6, 2009 8:53 AM EDT: Spell check, edit, you staffers at CBS ever here of that?; Reply to this comment


by abbe91 May 6, 2009 8:32 AM EDT: "I personally believe all vote counts should be stopped and Franken should be selected by a 5-4 court decision. It appears to be the only style of "win" that Republicans can understand.
Posted by omega39-2009 at 5:21 AM : May 6, 2009 "

Actually, since two judges recused themselves, it might be 4-3 ... but looking at the equal protection violation claim from Coleman's side, which would make even Scalia blush, it could end up 7-0.; Reply to this comment