Specter's First Big Vote Since Switch: No on Obama Budget

From CNN:

The Senate voted for the plan 53-43. Four Democrats, including recent party-switcher Sen. Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania, voted against it.

(Longer report from AP here.)

Sigh.

Thank goodness we didn't actually NEED his vote on the budget resolution. But is this a sign of things to come for how he may vote on future major votes like universal health care (including the key question of including a public option in it), and the Employee Free Choice Act (which he still opposes)?

Yes, give him his due for his vote on the stimulus. Absolutely. But he needs to know that Democrats are watching how he votes. The Republican base certainly did, and that had to have played a role in forcing him to reverse course on the Employee Free Choice Act, for example.

So, welcome to Specter Watch.