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May 5, 2009

A Singular Politician

Specter hallway.jpg

I’m not buying the romanticized image of Specter as the individualist. (What was that other term that was popular recently? “Maverick,” was it?) Arlen sucked up to Bush/Cheney and now he’s jumped the fence mostly to save his electoral skin.

The image above was part of a group from last Thursday documenting Specter sitting on the the Democrat side of the Senate Appropriations aisle for the first time. With the Senator making noises that sound like someone hedging his bets though, Specter — drawing on this photo taken right after the committee hearing — might find it a lonely road.

(image: Mark Wilson/Getty. April 30, 2009. Washington, DC.)

  • thirdeye pushpin

    I am reminded of a kafka like labyrinth of bureacratic servitude, haunted by loneley specters

  • JayDenver

    This picture sets up the Let’s Make a Deal scenario perfectly: what’s behind door Number 1, Arlen? And lots of jokes about the three doors in hell… Or, don’t let the doors hit you on the way out.
    There are several “key” votes coming up on the Hill and the results will bode how well this “not loyal Democrat” fares. My guess is a tough primary fight and election campaign at the end of the hallway.
    Without the right key, none of those doors will open to him again. He may be doomed to pace the corridors of power forever and never get back inside the room.
    Great image depicting how a man’s choices can lead to sealing his fate.

  • Ksue

    Looks like he’s been sent packing. Individualist? Not so much.

  • http://sbgypsy.blogspot.com sbgypsy

    His situation reminds me of Survivor, the second half, when everyone from the loosing team kisses up to the winning team hoping against hope for a chance to stab them all in the back to win the prize.

  • Our Paul

    The highlight reflections on the floor give the appearance of rigid boundaries, with a man walking down the middle, such as railroad tracks. Once we know the identity of the man, the question that come to mind is whether there is a third rail,and whether he will avoid it…

  • JayDenver

    Paul: Good takeaway. It reminded me of this: The Picture that keeps on giving

  • JayDenver
  • weisseharre

    ‘keep it between the rails, boy
    your White Lite ’s-a-commen!’

  • http://profile.typepad.com/Blue_Shark Blue_Shark

    …Specter is flailing in the wind.
    …Stesak will take him out in the primary or Ridge will clobber him in the general.
    …He needed to understand that to become the Democratic Senator he actually had to …you know…support Democratic ideals and bills. Thus far he has failed miserably. He is on a lonely road as this photo shows.

  • http://www.agrippinaminor.com/wp/ Wayne Dickson

    “support Democratic ideals and bills”
    In Congress, what you believe and what you say and what you vote often have but a passing acquaintance if that.