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I had recently a chance to catch up with Senator Arlen Specter (D/R/D – PA) to interview him in light of his recent switch from the Republican party to the Democratic party.

“Senator, thank you for seeing me on such short notice.”

“No problem.  I’ll talk to anyone these days.  With my switch to the Democratic party and my upcoming reelection, I need as many friends as I can get.  You don’t happen to live in Pennsylvania, do you?”

“No, Senator, I don’t.”

“That’s a real shame.  I could use some support.  Those people back home are really angry.”

“I see.  Listen, Senator Specter, this change from one side of the aisle to the other appears to be based solely on political convenience.  Many folks, including the Republican party leaders from your own state, seem to believe that you didn’t stand a chance of being reelected to a sixth term.  They maintain that the switch had nothing to do with philosophy or specific issues embraced by either the Republican or Democratic parties; it was all about political expediency.  Can you comment on that?”

“Well, what did you expect?  I’ve been a United States Senator for 29 years.  It’s probably one of the best jobs in the world.  My word, unless you’re as rich as Bill Gates or Warren Buffet, things couldn’t be much better.  It would be a real hardship to give this up.  So, sure, I chose to abandon the Republican party after five terms because it looked like I wouldn’t be reelected.”

“Your candor is refreshing, Senator.”

“Thank you.  Despite the fact that I switched from Democrat to Republican years ago when I initially ran for the Senate, because that’s the only way I could be elected, and my most recent, politically motivated switch back, my reasons have always been the same – I’m most interested in my personal well-being.  That’s something people can count on.  I’m consistent and I’m honest about my self-serving purposes.  I hope the good people of Pennsylvania keep that in mind during the election cycle.”

“I’m sure they will.  On another subject, Senator, the Democratic party in the Senate has voted overwhelmingly to strip you of all seniority.  You’ve lost your ‘ranking member’ status on all of your committees and will be treated as the most junior member of the Democratic caucus.  Does that bother you?”

“Well, sure.  Sure it does.  But the important thing is to be reelected.  I have to be concerned about remaining a member of the Senate and fighting for the things I believe in, like being reelected.”

“But won’t your ability to influence policy and to help your state be diminished as a ‘junior’ member of the Senate?”

“Well, sure.  Sure it will be.  But you’re missing the point.  I wasn’t sent to the Senate to actually get things done.  We Senators spend most of our time trying to get reelected and to block as much legislation as possible.  That’s why it usually takes 60 votes to get anything done in the Senate.  We’re pretty busy at fundraisers and taking advantage of lobbyists’ generosity.”

“I don’t understand the connection between 60 votes and your other activities, Senator.”

“It’s simple.  It takes so long to get 60 folks to agree on anything that we can fill the time going on junkets to exotic places like southern France and Caribbean islands, all funded by tax payers.  In contrast, those poor House members have to show up almost every day the House is in session.  We roll in around ten AM, have lunch in the Senate dining room, and then head off for evening fundraising activities that usually include open bars and good food.”

“So, to bring this to a close, Senator, you don’t seem to be overly concerned about how people judge your behavior.  Your only motivation is to take care of yourself?”

“You nailed it.  And that’s something that the good people of Pennsylvania and the Democratic party can count on.  I’m consistent and I’m honest.  In fact, that’s my campaign slogan – ‘You can count on Arlen’.”

“Thank you for your time, Senator.”

“No problem.  You sure you’re not eligible to vote in Pennsylvania?”

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