Republicans on a Bridge to Nowhere

Eugene Robinson / Truthdig May 2, 2009 At this point, I'm almost ready to start rooting for the Republicans. No, not really. There's no "mercy rule" in politics. And anyway, the increasingly bitter ideologues who control what's left of the Grand Old Party are so bereft of new ideas -- and so determined to obstruct rather than collaborate -- that I could never wish them well. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Breakup

Mike Luckovich / Truthdig Apr 30, 2009 Dig deeper

Blind People Aren’t Crazy About Your Prius

Staff / Truthdig Apr 30, 2009 Here's the thing about eco-friendly hybrid vehicles like the Toyota Prius -- they're quiet. Too quiet, if you ask the National Federation of the Blind. Luckily, Sens. John Kerry and Arlen Specter have penned the Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act of 2009 to address the problem. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Sen. Arlen Specter on Switching

BLANK Apr 29, 2009 The Pennsylvanian is only the 21st active senator in U.S. history to switch parties. Here is what he had to say about his change of loyalties. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Specter Comes Full Circle

E.J. Dionne Jr. / Truthdig Apr 29, 2009 When Arlen Specter ran for Philadelphia district attorney in 1965, he proudly proclaimed himself a "Kennedy Democrat," but said he was running as a Republican to take on what he saw as the corruption of the city's then-legendary Democratic machine. Forty-four years later, Arlen Specter has come full circle. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Senate Shake-Up: Specter Goes Blue

Staff / Truthdig Apr 28, 2009 Arlen Specter was always too moderate for this crop of Republicans, but his surprise decision to become a Democrat has more to do with the likelihood of losing a GOP primary battle than ideological differences. Specter's move should give the Democrats the 60 votes they need in the Senate, assuming Norm Coleman ever gives up the ghost In Minnesota. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Pro-Union Bill in Trouble

Staff / Truthdig Mar 25, 2009 Sen. Arlen Specter gave the proposed Employee Free Choice Act the shaft Tuesday, severely wounding legislation that would make forming unions significantly easier. Labor leaders were depending on support from moderates such as Specter, but, facing a primary challenge, the Pennsylvania Republican chickened out. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

No Senate Run for Matthews

Staff / Truthdig Jan 9, 2009 The U.S. Senate is safe from "Hardball" host Chris Matthews -- at least for now. Matthews will stay put on the media-specific side of the political arena instead of making a bid for a Senate seat in his home state of Pennsylvania, as suggested by the recent scuttlebutt about him. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

That?s Senator Chris Matthews to You, Steve

Staff / Truthdig Apr 15, 2008 The "Hardball" host seems to tell his satirical counterpart that he's serious about a run for the Senate in 2010: "Some kids want to be a fireman. I want to be a senator." Awwww. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Despite Incompetence, Gonzales Isn’t Going Anywhere

John Dean / Truthdig Apr 26, 2007 The Nixon White House counsel who famously coined the term "cancer on the presidency" examines another troubled administration, writing that although the Gonzales affair is far from over, the attorney general still has job security. Dig deeper ( 5 Min. Read )

More Information Demanded From Gonzales

Staff / Truthdig Apr 26, 2007 In case Attorney General Alberto Gonzales was the only person on the planet to not know that his performance in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee on April 19 was less than spectacular, on Wednesday Sens. Arlen Specter and Patrick Leahy helpfully served him a letter full of constructive criticism, and a mandate that he provide more information "within a week." Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Lieberman Bashes Pelosi

Staff / Truthdig Apr 9, 2007 For a guy who says he's a Democrat, Joe Lieberman doesn't show much party loyalty. The senator took a break from defending Bush and his war on Sunday to pile on the criticism of Nancy Pelosi's trip to Syria. Luckily Arlen Specter, a Republican no less, was on hand to defend the logic of diplomacy. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )