It’s hardly surprising that Sen. Arlen Specter’s switch to the Democratic party - which will probably give the Obama administration a filibuster-proof majority in the Senate - has angered Republicans across the board.  But Democrats shouldn’t be jumping for joy either.  Check out Specter’s comments from earlier this morning:

I will not be an automatic 60th vote.  I would illustrate that with my position on employee choice, also known as card check. I think it’s a bad deal and I’m opposed to it. I will not vote to impose cloture. … If the Democratic Party asks too much, I will not vote with them.

Perhaps even more damaging to the Democrats, Specter admitted that his party-switch was driven primarily by his desire to keep his seat:

I was unwilling to subject my 29-year record in the U.S. Senate to the Pennsylvania Republican primary electorate. But I am pleased to run in the primary on the Democratic ticket and am ready, willing and anxious to take on all comers in the general election.

Well, so much for the Democrats’ argument that the longtime Republican’s party-change was a matter of principle - i.e., a signal that the Republican Party has alienated moderates by moving far to the right.

Ultimately, it seems as though Specter’s decision to join the Democrats is best summarized by the chorus from Ricky Nelson’s “Garden Party”: “But it’s all right now / I learned my lesson well / You see, ya can’t please everyone / So ya got to please yourself.”

It’s a great song, but a lousy political strategy.

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