Specter votes against Dem agenda again

Newly minted Democratic Sen. Arlen Specter is already asserting his famous independence, casting his second straight vote against his new party’s agenda.

Specter (Pa.) on Thursday voted against a controversial bill that would have rewritten bankruptcy laws — a bill cherished by Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) — just a day after voting against the Democratic-written budget.

{mosads}Specter shocked Capitol Hill on Tuesday by announcing his switch to the Democratic Party ahead of his reelection next year. He was welcomed to the White House on Wednesday, where he told President Obama he was “a loyal Democrat” but also warned reporters he “would not be an automatic 60th vote” for Democrats.

Specter downplayed the significance of his vote Thursday, noting that he has opposed the bankruptcy provision for more than a year.

“It’s a position I’ve always held,” he said.

Democratic leaders said Specter’s “no” votes simply confirm his independence.

“This is very premature,” said Democratic Conference Vice Chairman Charles Schumer (N.Y.). “Sen. Specter’s views fit within our caucus on many, many, many issues.”

Specter told reporters Wednesday night that he opposed the budget because it contained the controversial parliamentary maneuver known as reconciliation, “as well as some other things.”

In an April 2 floor speech, Specter had announced he was opposing the budget because of spending concerns — and referred to himself as “the loyal opposition.”

“These budget votes are all going to be determined by the Democratic majority largely on party lines, so my vote is really a protest vote and to show there is substantial concern, at least with the loyal opposition, to limit federal expenditures,” Specter said at the time.

Specter has also already announced his opposition to another key Democratic priority: the Employee Free Choice Act, also known as the “card-check” bill.