Specter's DOMA flip hammered from left & right

Timothy McNulty | October 27, 2009

This is how life goes these days for Arlen Specter -- Republican and Democratic critics alike are hammering him for his about-face on same-sex marriage and the Defense of Marriage Act, which he announced on Twitter/HuffPost.

First the National Republican Senatorial Committee came out with this:

Of note, Specter voted in favor of DOMA in 1996 and his new position stands in direct contrast to Pennsylvania's other Democrat Senator, Bob Casey, who recently said "I don't think that's the way to go" when asked whether he would vote to repeal DOMA earlier this month.

Please consider the following quote and background information from the NRSC in response:

"Whether he's shifting his positions on government-run health care, the right for workers to cast a secret ballot, or now the Defense of Marriage Act, Arlen Specter continues to remind Pennsylvanians that one thing will never change - he will always put his own political preservation before principles. Voters in the Commonwealth deserve more than Arlen Specter's political opportunism or Joe Sestak's extreme left-wing agenda, and in November 2010 Pat Toomey will offer a real opportunity to restore the checks and balances in Washington that Pennsylvanians deserve." - Amber Wilkerson Marchand, NRSC spokeswoman

And this afternoon Democratic rival Joe Sestak's camp issued this:

MEDIA, PA - Congressman Joe Sestak's Senate campaign issued the following statement in response to the long-time Republican, Senator Specter's latest attempt to follow Joe Sestak's leadership just to help himself politically - this following Joe's call to repeal the Defense Of Marriage Act (DOMA):
 
"As the long-time Republican Senator carries on his attempt to run away from his 30-year Republican record, this time on his vote to support the Defense of Marriage Act, he should be honest about his votes to oppose equal rights for LGBT Americans. He actually voted with Republican Senator Rick Santorum to deny equal benefits to legally married LGBT Americans in the first place. Without Joe Sestak's leadership in supporting LGBT rights, the Senator would continue to deny married gay and lesbian couples their right to file joint tax returns, receive spouse benefits under social security, take an unpaid leave to take care of a sick or injured partner, or share retirement benefits like straight couples. Senator Specter's willingness to reposition himself just to help himself politically should give pause to Pennsylvanians who are looking for a loyal Senator who will put principle over politics for the next generation. As Senator, Joe Sestak will continue to stand up for equal rights for all Americans - before, during, and after an election year."