I spoke one on one with Senator Arlen Specter approaching two weeks into his new designation, Democrat. Says Senator Specter, "Last week was just swirling. I feel like was in a creamer, in a butter churner."
Highsmith: Have you felt you have had to go through a probationary period or a hazing from some Democrats?
Sen. Specter: "No. There are some rugged spots in transition, a few bumps in the road, but I've got shock absorbers. When I picked up the chairman of the Subcommittee on Crime and Drugs, it was a good sign. I'm working well with my new colleagues."
Highsmith: Has the lack of full seniority recognition been a sign of disrespect?
Sen. Specter: "No, I think it has been fine. Senator Reid has assured me I would have the seniority as if I had been elected in 1980 as a Democrat and that and most of the subcommittee chairmanships will await until after the next election. But, I keep my overall Senate seniority. I keep the office I have, the staff I have, so we're working through it and I think it's, uh, fine."
Highsmith: What do you say to the progressives in the party who say he is not the Obama-like "fresh face" Washington needs? What do you say to those who doubt whether they can count on him in 2011, 2012, the out years?
Sen. Specter: "Well, my record is very much in line with Democratic principles much more so than Republican, which is why I shifted. But take a look at it. Pro-choice, which is a Democratic bastion. Embryonic stem cell research funded by the federal government, very important. Very strong record for labor, always voting to increase the minimum wage and expand unemployment compensation. Very strong on funding for veterans issues, on international affairs with the Democrats favoring the nuclear test ban treaty and that's been built up over years and that's how I feel and that's reliably predicting how I will do in the future."
Highsmith: Will you vote for a new version of the Employee Free Choice Act? Do you think it would be wise for Democrat leaders, and yourself, to seek a compromise on the card check bill?
Sen. Specter: "I do. I think there are some provisions of Employee Choice that say eliminate the secret ballot. I think most people understand that that really is not desirable. Look, there is intimidation on both sides. ... I've been contacted by labor leaders who want my inputs on structure, a compromise and I've worked with colleagues in the Senate trying to do that and I think we can find a reasonable compromise which will protect the legitimate interests of labor."
Highsmith: There has been criticism of the your "SpecterfortheCure" website. Do you think it should be clearer at the top that donations go to his re-election campaign? The Senator indicated he was taking a page out of the Obama playbook.
Sen. Specter: "Oh. Well, it is designed to get support for increased funding for the National Institutes of Health and it is designed, candidly, to help my campaign. I've been the major spear carrier to increase funding for NIH with help from Tom Harkin from $12 to $30 billion dollars and it's my amendment which produced the $10 billion in the stimulus package and I think it is fair to say that my re-election is a factor that people will take into account when they want more NIH funding. Obama, President Obama, raised a lot of money on the internet on issues he thought which would attract people."
Highsmith: How about the switch and potential challengers?
Sen. Specter: "I was not going to allow my 29 year record to be judged by the Republican Primary electorate in Pennsylvania, which has gone so far to the right. Now, in a general election I feel very confident. I did not represent the Republican Party. I represent the people of Pennsylvania…I cast the big vote. The big vote was the stimulus vote. That was the vote that really led me, led the Republican Party to the schism, to irreconcilable differences. When the big chips were down, I was there for President Obama...My change has produced an enormous amount of introspection."
