Specter, the Defector
Graphic by Angelie Zaslavsky
A Republican defector:
Party-switch by Arlen Specter.
He dons with pride a brand new hat
That marks him as a Democrat.
He’s now among those mavericks
One seldom finds in politics.
Presumably, on this new track,
He’ll pledge allegiance to Barack.
The right-wing pols, with vitriol
And anger, lose their self-control.
They see his switch as traitorous:
They rave, they rant, they fume, they cuss.
(This flow of animosity
Is called by some just “G.O.P.”)
The Senate leader, Harry Reid,
Hails Specter for his daring deed,
And with a warmly cordial smile
Gives thanks to him who crossed the aisle.
(Our Arlen, though, will still have spats
With leftist-leaning Democrats.)
Strong shifting in the voters’ mood
Suggests his move is rather shrewd.
A senator of Specter’s years
Thinks carefully when shifting gears.
(But gears may rust and gears may creak
And leave careers way up the creek!)
The Democrats, for now, rejoice.
Their party’s gained a new old-voice.
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