WASHINGTON -- With Sen. Arlen Specter's switch to the Democrats, the Republican Party is increasingly at risk of being viewed as a mostly Southern and conservative party, an identity that might take years to overcome.
Specter's move, which rocked Congress and the political world yesterday, is the latest blow to Republicans, especially in the Northeast, once a GOP stronghold. The region's Republicans now have been reduced to a scant presence in the House and a dwindling influence in the Senate.
But Specter's switch has symbolic and immediate ramifications for the GOP nationwide. It makes it easier for Democrats, fairly or not, to paint the party as ideologically rigid and alien to large swaths of the country.
U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner, D-Va., welcomed Specter's move, saying Specter "always brings a credible and moderate voice to the debate. His decision does not, however, diminish the need for more bipartisan cooperation generally in Washington."
And U.S. Sen. Jim Webb, D-Va., issued a statement, saying Specter "has given great service to our country, and I have tremendous respect for him. This is the decision he has made, and we welcome him."
Gov. Timothy M. Kaine said, "I welcome him with open arms."
"I commend Senator Specter on his decision to work with President Obama and Senate Democrats to help turn our economy around, create jobs and put the country back on the right track," said Kaine, chairman of the Democratic National Committee.
But Rep. Robert J. Wittman, R-1st, said he was concerned about the impact Specter's decision will have upon maintaining a fair and balanced system of government.
"Our nation's founders envisioned a system of checks and balances, and with the now filibuster-proof Senate any chance for minority input and full debate on issues may be ignored with control of both the executive and legislative branches firmly in the hands of one party."
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