How we got to today:
in 2004, Senator Arlen Spector faced a surprisingly tough primary against Congressman Pat Toomey. Toomey, recruited by a group named the "Club Growth for Change," ran against Spector because he was perceived as too moderate, and not a true Conservative.
The GOP establishment, from Moderate to Conservative, including George W. Bush, fell behind the incumbent showing strong support for Spector. Regardless of that support. Arlen Spector won the primary by only 17,000 votes out of over 1 million votes cast. Spector went on to easily win the General election later that year.
In 2008, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama charged into a 6 week "Battle for Pennsylvania," it was an extremely contentious primary. The issue however, was how the Primary was conducted.
Pennsylvania had a closed primary, meaning that the only people who could vote in the primary had to declare their party before hand. spurred on by Rush Limbaugh's "Operation Chaos", as well as the GOP primary being already settled, over 200,000 moderate Republicans switched party affiliation to participate.
In 2009, Arlen Spector supported President Obama's Economic Stimulus package. His defection was treated harshly by those who once supported him. Some openly talked about raising money against Spector in the 2010 primary.
Then, Toomey decided to run again for Senator. This time however, the demographics had changed. Thanks to the historic Democratic Primary, lack of a competitive GOP primary, and a gleeful Limbaugh wanting to prolong (and thereby create a schism of) the Democratic primary... the numbers were in favor for Toomey in the Primary, who would be doomed to failure in the general election against any Democrat.
This time, Spector had no support from the GOP like he had in 04, and seeing his political career in on death's door, He made a deal.
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So Spector's switch is a long time in coming, and it is short sighted of those like Steele and Limbaugh to praise the death of a RINO. Sure, Spector is doing this for his political life, sure it is a blatant move, and I will not (and am not surprised) that Spector is looking at a free pass on the Democratic primary.However, by vilifying him, and saying good riddance will not help when you need his vote in the future (and you will need his vote). Due to their own stupidity, the GOP badgered and pushed out the someone who may have stood up and filibuster with their party. Now, they need people to cross over, and depending on the circumstance, they may indeed be sitting on the sidelines as the Democrats push their agenda.
Of course, if they were NICE to Spector, they could come to him later and ask for his support... instead, they say good riddance, and spit in his face... I am not sure if he will be so open to standing against his new party.
What a wicked web we weave. It is interesting to think that Rush Limbaugh's actions a year ago help lead to the events today.