Arlen Specter: Boon to Centrist Democrats, Bane to Progressives?

The genie of good luck once again granted Barack Obama his fondest wish, and at precisely the perfect time: the defection of a Republican U.S. senator to the Democratic Party.

Like a kid who was surprised by a stupendous gift on Christmas morning, President Obama is flushed with joy today as he celebrates his first 100 days in office with close to a filibuster-proof 60 Democratic seats in the Senate to support his stunningly ambitious legislative agenda on health care, energy and education.

While five-term Sen. Arlen Specter's long-rumored move from the Republican to Democratic Party is surely cause for liberals to celebrate, don't assume that Senate Democrats will now unanimously rubber-stamp the White House agenda... or that political strife is dead in the 111th Congress.

Yes, Sen. Specter was correct when he observed, "Since my election in 1980, as part of the Reagan Big Tent, the Republican Party has moved far to the right. I now find my political philosophy more in line with Democrats than Republicans."

But independent-minded, stubborn Arlen Specter will join, and significantly fortify the ranks of, that dreaded Senate clique that often makes us progressive liberals very, very ANGRY: pro-business, pro-gun, hawkish centrist Democrats.

(For instance, Specter opposes the Democratic-sponsored, pro-labor Employee Free Choice Act, complaining that it's a "particularly bad time" to impose such burdens on businesses. Specter says he won't change his mind on this pending bill.)

Specter will undoubtedly join the moderate-minded ranks of Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT), Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-LA), Sen. Ben Nelson (D-NE), Sen. Evan Bayh (D-IN), Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) and other Democratic senators who often work to obstruct, rather than support, progressive legislative goals such as anti-war efforts, the pro-environment agenda, and spending on vital social programs.

Much to Admire About Specter's Record
Don't get me wrong: I believe there is much to admire about Sen. Arlen Specter's long record:

• He has consistently proven himself to be a staunch defender of the U.S. Constitution, of civil liberties, and of important issues as reproductive freedom and stem cell research.
  
• Specter was a leading Senate critic of George Bush's gross overstepping of presidential authority via signing statements, warrantless wiretapping and the like.

• Specter was also an outspoken critic of the frivolous Republican 1998-99 crusade to impeach Bill Clinton.

• On innumerable issues and at important moments, Specter has spoken out with clarity, common sense, and great political couarge.

Specter and Lieberman: Unreliable as Political Team Players
But like Sen. Joe Lieberman, who is reviled in progressive circles, Specter thrives on the limelight and the sound of his own voice. He thinks highly of his own viewpoint, and has never been much of a team player unless he's team captain. When badgered or cornered politically, Specter, like Lieberman, is a fierce defender at all costs... of his own interests, his own perspective, his own career.

As both Arlen Specter and Joe Lieberman have amply proven, neither are loyalists to any political party or agenda. Party discipline and unity means little to these two preening politicians.

As a result, President Obama cannot rely on Arlen Specter to automatically supply any desperately-sought 60th votes to overcome Republican filibuster threats on key issues.

Harsh reality for progressives is that Specter's seniority and substantial gravitas will likely increase the influence of the moderate-to-centrist faction of the Democratic Party. And that will increase discord between Congressional Democrats, and will fuel the ire of the NetRoots community, which is the Democratic Party base.

Yes, it's fabulous that the good-luck genie granted President Obama the fondest wish of his first 100 days.

But as the old adage goes, be careful what you wish for...

(Photos taken today of President Obama and Sen. Specter: Ron Sachs/Getty Images)