Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania

This RINO was "no" surprise.

Olympia Snow and Chuck Hagel were no surprise either. Chuck Hagel's posturing for an '08 Presidential nod, so he's going to do whatever he can to try to follow where he sees the American people going.

Isn't that what an elected representative is actually supposed to do?

Personally, I think the whole thing is pure political bullshit, but if their votes represent the feelings of the people they represent then they did their jobs. If not, they'll be voted out of office.

You cannot expect every Republican to blindly follow a leader who is basically an embarrassment to the nation. It's called freedom of expression and it happens in every democratic nation. The question is not whether they are "turn coats", but rather whether they are true Republicans concerned about America rather than just the GOP.

ok....so if a Republican does support the President, then they are blindly following him? If they don't, then they are strong men/women who are concerned about America?

Actaully, I see that thinking more on the Dems side of the aisle ("blindly" following the party mumbo-jumbo)....It is interesting how everyone's opinion is the "right" one, and anyone that disagrees with them are blinded and following propaganda. Interesting....

You cannot expect every Republican to blindly follow a leader who is basically an embarrassment to the nation. It's called freedom of expression and it happens in every democratic nation. The question is not whether they are "turn coats", but rather whether they are true Republicans concerned about America rather than just the GOP.

Spector "is" a turncoat. Always has been. He calls himself a republican. But look at his voting record. He "always" votes with the dems whether the motion is good, bad or indifferent.

MythicalMino: "...ok, so if a Republican does support the President, then they are blindly following him..."

Yes sir, the blind leading the blind.

No surprise. Look at their constituency and the trends there. They're trying to hold back the tide with a broom. They think smacking their base in the face will win them votes with swing voters.

In reality it is like pulling the front of your shirt down to cover your privates and showing your ass to the world. You can't juggle and keep all the balls in the air at the same time. What they spend to increase their popularity with swing voters will be capital they don't have when they want their projects given due diligence.

so what do you call a democrat that does support the war? Not a real democrat? So the only way to be "real" is to be liberal? So there is only one right way in the war, and that is to pull out as quickly as possible? That is your way? But...what about freedom of speech? Or does that only go for liberal democrats and the republicans trying to be like them?

I didn't make a judgement call, Mason...I simply said it was no surprise.

And it isn't.

Frankly, I like seeing Republicans that aren't lock in step Bushites.

I like seeing any politician that doesn't ride the party bus. I actually hate the ideas of political parties, and I think they are the cause of most of the problems in this country. When those sanctioned to lead our country are more interested in their party succeeding than the country....that is wrong.

I like politicians that have some sort of ideals outside of keeping their seat. I like politicians that believe something, not just look at how the political tide is turning. I prefer politicians who hold to what they say they believe, even when what they believe become unpopular.

Is that anti-democratic? Nope. If we don't like what they believe we elect someone else. When politicians have NO ideals, though, we have no one to vote for. We have no one we can rely on.

how's come when you say it, it reads good....

Anyways, that is exactly what I was trying to put into words...