Arlene Specter defects! Meghan McCain disrespects! Sarah Palin deflects! Michael Steele neglects!
No it’s not the poetic lyrics of a new rap, it’s the changing faces and places of the Republican Party. But change is good, if it’s the kind you can believe in.
The biggest news this week has been the spectacle over Senator Arlene Specter defecting to the Democrats or simply exercising his right to go to the winning team. Many pundits have raised their eyebrows and the question of Specter trying to keep a seat in power. Faced with losing as a Republican, can you blame him? But to be fair, Specter is known as a strong believer in doing the right and sound thing. He brings at least a splash of integrity to a table that needs all the flavor we can get. I’m talking about the table of brotherly love. Is he perfect? What politician or person is?
The other big news is the retirement of Judge Souter from the Supreme Court. I, along with Specter, and many other Americans, agree that President Obama should appoint a brilliantly capable female of color. Although I know for some, Obama was considered a needle in a haystack, there are many other accomplished legal professionals who could feel these shoes. The key is seeking them out and giving them access.
Arlene Specter will be a friend in the Senate, not only for President Obama’s agenda, but for many agendas that affect people of color. Remember, the Senate has only one African-American, Roland Burris, who replaced Obama in Illinois, as the appointee of a crooked Governor.
Whether Republican, Democrat, Independent or sit on the bench, we all call ourselves American, call America home and wave the American flag. Whether our party is red or blue, the flag contains both colors. So in the words of Rodney King, “can’t we all just get along?”
Let the first one without skeletons in their closets, throw the first stone….I hear silence….let the church say “amen.”
