IFPTE and Akaka Weighs in on Specter
International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers president Gregory Junemann provides the first federal union feedback. Junemann represents private-sector workers as well, which probably explains the emphasis on the Employee Free Choice Act, which Specter continues to say he won't vote for:
"IFPTE has been a consistent and proud supporter of Senator Specter for many years, which is exactly why we were so disappointed by his March 24th announcement about the Employee Free Choice Act. However, today's news is positive and we at IFPTE fully support Senator Specter as he makes this transition. It certainly is clear to those of us in the labor community that Senator Specter's positions on many of the concerns facing working people have not exactly been consistent with those of his party. While IFPTE takes great strides to work with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, it is unfortunate, but accurate that the issues of importance to working people are at odds with the broader agenda of the national Republican leadership. While there still remain a handful of good, labor friendly Republican lawmakers in the Congress that IFPTE is proud to support and looks forward to working with, I believe that today's announcement by Senator Specter is reflective of this regrettable conflict. I understand that Senator Specter's March 24th decision on the Employee Free Choice Act has not changed yet. However, he was a supporter of the bill as far back as the 109th Congress, so we remain hopeful that with this change in parties there will also be a change of heart by the Senator with respect to that legislation. The Employee Free Choice Act is the most important bill before Congress in rebuilding America's middle-class and it is critical to working people that it become the law of land."
And Sen. Daniel Akaka, one of the Senators who focuses most on federal management issues, and who has worked productively with the ranking member on his subcommittee, Sen. George Voinovich, welcomes Specter to the party:
"Senator Specter has always been an independent thinker who puts issues ahead of party affiliation. He is a good man who cares for our country deeply. I have appreciated working with him over the last two decades and I look forward to this new chapter. Regardless of today's events, we must continue our efforts to develop bipartisan solutions to our nation's problems."
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Government Executive Staff Correspondent Alyssa Rosenberg takes a look at news affecting the management and operations of the massive federal bureaucracy.
Senator Specter is another example of what the radical right wing of the Republican party are doing to the moderates in the Republican party. The Republicans, stung with the bitter defeat in both the Congress and for the Whitehouse, are now attempting to punish the moderate Americans for not being a neo-conservative. Senator Spector was always a measured politician that worked for his State with the rest of America on his mind. He is a fair man and an honest man that spoke his mind and defended America from the enemy within. With this latest move, to the Democratic party, Senator Spector again is defending America from the enemy within.
Ben Toyama Pearl Harbor IFPTE Posted Tuesday, April 28, 2009 8:21 PMSenator Spector should resign. If he wants to become a Democrat, he has that right; however, the voters of Pennsylvania did not vote him in as a Democrat. Unfortunately, to many of our politicians forget that it is not about them, that they represent the people rather than their own agenda. If he believes that the Republican Party is not his cup of tea anymore, then resign, and run again as a Democrat. Oh, but that takes courage and lest we forget that most of our politicians do not possess this quality.
J. Chamberlain Posted Wednesday, April 29, 2009 6:35 AMWith regard to the Fed blog on Senator Specter: Once more, it looks like the Government Executive is playing partisan politics instead of fairly showing all sides of the issues.
craig thompson Posted Wednesday, April 29, 2009 7:43 AMSenator Spector will face the voters as a Democrat in the next election in 2010. I always thought fair minded folks on both sides of the aisle voted for the PERSON they wanted to represent them, not because of the letter after their name. Besides, the voters can make their choice come 2010 as to whether they voted for the man or the party.
T Petkunas Posted Wednesday, April 29, 2009 12:16 PMSpecter is a coward and an opportunist. If he had any guts, he'd declare himself independent. If he had any leadership skills, he'd stay with the R's and be a leading moderate voice. Instead, he waits until Obama's 100th day, announces that the switch is purely for reelection purposes, and becomes vote #60, for which I'm positive he'll be greatly rewarded. He needs to go.
Larry Posted Wednesday, April 29, 2009 12:47 PMBen,
Mike Posted Wednesday, April 29, 2009 1:24 PMPart of Spector's rationale was that the Republican Party has moved too far to the right. What? Has he spoken with the Conservatives of the party who are fed up with the abandonment of Conservative values that got them there in the first place? He is just another politician more concerned about his job than he is of our great country. TERM LIMITS NOW!!!
Spector is a moderate??? I guess then that Stalina and Lenis were also main stream
dan m ketter Posted Wednesday, April 29, 2009 5:12 PM