THERE'S NO RETURN DESK - AT 7:41 A.M. ET:  The Specter switch is running up against the Rule of Unintended Consequences.  From The Politico:

Nearly a week after Democrats welcomed Pennsylvania Sen. Arlen Specter into the fold and Republicans got acquainted with Specter’s prospective challenger, Pat Toomey, both sides are showing signs of buyer’s remorse.

Suddenly Specter’s path to reelection as a Democrat is looking far from certain, as progressives recoil at some aspects of Specter’s voting record and two prominent candidates refuse to bow out. On the GOP side, the more Republicans look at the Pennsylvania political landscape, the more questions they have about whether Toomey is the right fit against Specter in a general election.

Specter’s initial warm welcome from his new party has given way to a more tepid greeting, as liberal groups chafe at Specter’s continued opposition to key elements of the party agenda — like the $3.4 trillion budget, which he voted against last week, and the Employee Free Choice Act.

COMMENT:  If the GOP plays its cards right, it might pull off a pickup in next year's Pennsylvania Senate race.  Nobody likes a turncoat, and Specter's switch of parties was entirely self-serving.  Specter has the unique ability to get both the Republicans and Democrats furious with him at the same time.  Some people never know when to get off the stage.

May 5, 2009