Ancient Arlen

I don’t care if Arlen Specter becomes a Libertarian … or a Flat Earther.

But there is something that some people might have overlooked in all the hoopla about his switch from the Republican Party to the Democrats.


He is 79. Seventy-freaking-nine.

And the election is next year, meaning that if he wins, he would be 86 when the term (and him) stagger to an end.

Good grief; what a sad commentary on professional politicians.

Here is a guy approaching his 80th birthday, and he is so pathetically desperate to cling to power that he is willing to switch parties to hang on just a little longer (or in his case, six years).

What's he afraid of? Actually living like the people he supposedly represents?

Sure, some people in their 80s are surprisingly fit. But for most octogenarians, the mental and physical energy are way, way down.

The Senate is famous for coddling these old pols who are frankly one or two steps shy of senility. But they keep running long after they can do the job adequately — or even talk without a prepared script.

Maybe the good people of Pennsylvania will realize all this and retire Specter next year.

Then again, this is the same state that still tolerates Joe Paterno, so who knows.