So how exactly did Arlen Specter manage to be the hero of the Democratic Party on Tuesday of last week, the day that he switched, only to end up losing his seniority seven days later? And can he earn it back?
Here’s what a Senate Democratic staffer told us: “Senator Specter has not helped himself recently with some of his recent actions. But he has a year and half to try to make the case to the rest of the caucus.”