April 28, 2009
Posted: April 28th, 2009 12:57 PM ET
Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele said the Pennsylvania senator left to avoid electoral defeat.
Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele said the Pennsylvania senator left to avoid electoral defeat.

WASHINGTON (CNN) – Reacting to Sen. Arlen Specter's decision to leave the GOP, Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele said the Pennsylvania senator left to avoid electoral defeat.

"Some in the Republican Party are happy about this. I am not," he said in a statement.

"Let's be honest-Senator Specter didn't leave the GOP based on principles of any kind. He left to further his personal political interests because he knew that he was going to lose a Republican primary due to his left-wing voting record.

"Republicans look forward to beating Sen. Specter in 2010, assuming the Democrats don't do it first."

Filed under: Arlen Specter • Michael Steele


Alaskan Girl   April 28th, 2009 5:22 pm ET

Steele=big huge sour grapes!!!!!!

Fan of Common Sense   April 28th, 2009 5:20 pm ET

EXACTLY! Specter is a cockroach. He is concerned about his own political survival and nothing else. The republicans should be glad to be rid of him. Now maybe they can get a REAL republican in the seat.
Now if the republicans can just get rid of the other closet democrats (McCain, Snow, and Graham).

Soccer Nana   April 28th, 2009 4:50 pm ET

This token-winner needs to muzzle himself. Did someone check his college transcript; he doesn't behave like an educated person; he behaves more like Rush-the-college-flunkie

Squigman   April 28th, 2009 4:49 pm ET

Maybe he went his own way, because he was tired of hanging out with stupid people. But Oh! that couldn't be the case. Look at all the self-proclaimed genius and wealthy people who claim to be the friends of the working class, while fleecing same.

JG   April 28th, 2009 4:47 pm ET

Michael is an idiot! What is he a third grader?

gbrown2   April 28th, 2009 4:26 pm ET

STEELE!!! YOU ARE AN IDIOT AND YOU CAN'T EVEN SEE IT!!!! LOL

Leena   April 28th, 2009 4:23 pm ET

Steele you embarrass me. Why can't you just talk or make an intelligent statement without getting juvenile in your statements?

Your response the serious situation of a GOP senator changing parties is "....get ready to go to the mat, baby, because we're coming after you and taking you out..."

Really? Who do you think your audience is, a bunch of 12 year olds?

On second thought, you are the perfect figurehead for the current GOP. Pathetic.

Tim   April 28th, 2009 4:21 pm ET

Why are my comments always waiting moderation??

Too True For You   April 28th, 2009 4:16 pm ET

Spin, baby, spin! Faster! The truth is catching up!

charlie   April 28th, 2009 4:11 pm ET

Steele is an idiot and is one of many things wrong with my party. It is a cautionary tale to both parties. If you continue to squelch moderate voicies in either party, you will get this result.

Blue is my favourite colour   April 28th, 2009 4:04 pm ET

Steele – please memorize the words: "Super majority" You're going to be learining more about it in the not-too-distant future.

Linda   April 28th, 2009 3:58 pm ET

Why don't Michael Steele run for something, instead of being used by the GRAND OLD PARTY that probably has about 2 minority members.

Kendall   April 28th, 2009 2:34 pm ET

Steele doig what Repubs do best, throw their friends under the bus, not job not congratulating him Steele, Your going to lose also by the way

Peter   April 28th, 2009 2:34 pm ET

Is Micheal Steele made of steel or mud? oops I just forget he is unswerable to Rush Limbaugh! the GOP defacto leader!

Brandon   April 28th, 2009 2:18 pm ET

Arlen Spector left because he felt he would lose. Considering the lengths at which the Republicans in the past have gone to win is this considered an insult or a compliment?

Robert   April 28th, 2009 2:07 pm ET

Keep it up GOP.

Jon   April 28th, 2009 2:07 pm ET

Another nail in the Republician Party coffin !

There're Dead Jim !

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