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NYT Reporter: Specter Meant What He Said About Coleman
So was Arlen Specter joking, when he seemed to say he wanted Norm Coleman to win in Minnesota? That's what some people have been wondering after Specter said this: "There's still time for the Minnesota courts to do justice and declare Norm Coleman the winner."
So I asked New York Times reporter Deborah Solomon, who conducted the interview, what her impression was of Specter's actual tone of voice and overall expression.
"I trust he meant what he said," Solomon wrote to me. "If he had been joking, surely he could have come up with a wittier line."
Late Update: Specter has backed off of the comments, explaining: "In the swirl of moving from one caucus to another, I have to get used to my new teammates."
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Josh
Matt
Eric
Actually, Eric and TPM got duped by Mark Halperin.
You shouldn't have trusted Halperin and his little out of context snippets and Drudge-like headline spin.
I'm sure the little slimey GOP clown is laughing at getting liberal bloggers all upset, while also punishing a GOP turncoat.
May 5, 2009 10:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
So the reporter believes he was serious and Specter is walking back his remarks and yet you contend he was still joking?
May 5, 2009 11:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
What leads you to believe that Kleefeld contends Specter was joking?
May 6, 2009 3:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
Oh, this has nothing to do with Mark Halperin. I think Halperin has much, much less influence that either you or he realize. At best, politicos see him as a Washington insider who regurgitates whatever talking point (usually Republican) that lands in his lap. At worst, he's considered a hack.
The problem here is that Specter's "Coleman comments" fit a little too neatly into his newfound anti-Democrat pattern -- a curious pattern for a "Democrat." So, those comments were bound to draw heat. Frankly, they deserved the heat that they've gotten. In fact, the comments may have been the straw that broke the camel's back for Senate Dems; they voted (rightfully) against immediately granting Specter seniority in the Democratic caucus.
Specter thought he could change the letter attached to his name, and then spit in the eye of his new party. He should take some heat for that.
May 6, 2009 2:40 AM | Reply | Permalink
I dunno. Is Specter stupid enough to crack a joke like that at the cost of alienation thousands of Democrats that already distrust him in Pa? If so, he must be looking for a long year in 2010, fighting for his political life.
May 6, 2009 12:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
Obama is rope-a-doping this sleazebag... I hope...and I also hope a real Democrat ends Specter's career in 2010.
May 5, 2009 11:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
Jezuz Kerhist. He was actually serious? He forgot what team he's on. WTF?
I'd love for Specter to win so long as he's a safe bet and can come through on several important votes, like healthcare. To be brutally honest, I really doubt he can last a six year term anyways.
But really, Specter needs to do better. Glad they stripped his seniority indefinitely. So far he's not doing so hot.
May 6, 2009 1:27 AM | Reply | Permalink
I agree that doesn't really add up.
May 6, 2009 1:28 AM | Reply | Permalink
"I trust he meant what he said," Solomon wrote to me. "If he had been joking, surely he could have come up with a wittier line."
I'm not a big fan of Arlen Specter, but I'm not a big fan of snarky Deborah Solomon, either, and her case that Specter was not joking is weak.
"I trust he meant what he said." Based on what evidence? "If he had been joking, surely he could have come up with a wittier line." This is a silly piece of evidence.
May 6, 2009 12:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
Can TPM ask Deborah Solomon if she was serious or trying to be funny with her follow-up "Which seems about as likely at this point as Jerry Seinfeld’s joining the Senate.". If she was trying to be funny would she have used a wittier line?
May 6, 2009 3:30 PM | Reply | Permalink