In many respects, this raises the question of what is the future of progressive politics within the Democratic Party. Doesn't the switch and Obama's welcome signify that the party would like to maintain this image that they are a moderate or left of center party? And, isn't it interesting how the Democratic Party is more appealing to moderate Republicans?

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If you thought you would turn on your television and all the news networks would be talking about was swine flu (or pig-bird-man flu) or Obama’s 100 Days in office, then you may have been surprised to see Pennsylvania Republican Arlen Specter’s party switch to Democrat upstaging both stories.

Just yesterday, I was wondering if I would need to get a supply of Tamiflu. I was also wondering how I would weigh in on Obama’s first 100 days.

Inevitably, I will post thoughts in the next couple days like everyone (this 100 days is an event like an American Idol finale and every blogger wants their thoughts to have 15 minutes of fame). Today, however, I am thinking about what the impact of a Specter switch will have.

In many respects, this raises the question of what is the future of progressive politics within the Democratic Party.

Doesn’t the switch and Obama’s welcome signify that the party would like to maintain this image that they are a moderate or left of center party? And, isn’t it interesting how the Democratic Party is more appealing to moderate Republicans?

It says many things, but I’ll single out two---

One, this shows how the Republican Party has become a party dominated by the fringe. This is the party that turned a maverick like John McCain into a loser because its leaders thought in order for McCain to win Sarah Palin would have to be his running mate.

Moderate politics within the Republican Party have been close to death for some time. From Karl Rove smear campaigns to FOX News to tax day tea parties (which may all be one in the same; FOX News is a Karl Rove smear campaign and the tax day tea parties were FOX News and a Karl Rove smear campaign is a tax day tea party) --- I digress.

From Karl Rove smear campaigns to FOX News to tax day tea parties and I’ll add the ardent pro-life outcry against Obama (Notre Dame University’s invitation to have him speak at commencement), there just isn’t much room for politicians with nuanced positions.

This switch is no good for the "Grand Obsolete Party" and at a time when Republicans could have tried to put a negative spin on Obama's first 100 days, this switch now requires them to answer for Specter's decision and removes the possibility of using media to spin Obama's first 100 days in their favor (if that's even possible).

On the other hand, if the Democrats are going to choose moderate politics over progressive politics, what kind of future is America in for?

I cannot imagine that anything America is doing should continue in moderation.

The hysteria of a downward spiraling economy, the torture techniques Americans use to gather intelligence, the difficulties America’s politicians have with enforcing the rule of law, the endless wars in the Middle East, the tyranny of political expediency which squelches somewhat risky and possibly untenable ideas for change, etc.---All of this leads me to wonder what Specter’s impact will be on the movement for progressive political change.

Specter is someone to welcome into the Democratic Party. But, he's only good to welcome like a linebacker for a football team without good offensive players is good to welcome. If the football team doesn't have offensive players to score points, what good is another linebacker?

It’s good that he left the Republican Party. But, just like Specter didn’t always vote with Democrats he will not always vote with Democrats.

This switch is kind of like one step forward and two steps back.

As far as the future of the Democratic Party goes (whatever that future may be), Specter is not the future. Barack Obama and other young progressive leaders politicized by his campaign for president and his victory are the future.

Obama may be more similar in his policy stances to Specter, but Obama’s base is much more progressive than Obama and Specter. They are the one who will run for office in the next few decades and determine what happens next with the Democratic Party.

Which leads me to the $64,000 question: Does this ultimately lead into a Democratic Party strategy to keep the party from tacking too far left? 

Authors Bio:
Kevin Gosztola is managing editor of Shadowproof Press. He also produces and co-hosts the weekly podcast, "Unauthorized Disclosure." He was an editor for OpEdNews.com