Anyone feel sorry for Arlen Specter?

Arlen Specter has picked out his 2010 campaign theme song: "Poor, Poor Pitiful Me" by Warren Zevon.

For an 80-year-old man, Arlen Specter doesn't know much about history. Benedict Arlen should have read the story of Benedict Arnold to see how a traitor is treated.

Arlen Specter's main argument for re-election has been his seniority in the Senate, where he has served as a Republican since 1981. As a senior member of various committees, Specter said he had the clout to deliver for the people of Pennsylvania.

When he turned his back on the Republican Party and announced last week that he is now a Democrat, Specter said he was assured by Senate Democratic leaders he could keep his seniority.

Guess what? Harry Reid and company lied. The Senate passed a resolution Tuesday night making Specter the most junior Democrat on the committees on which he serves. He's even lower than Bob Casey Jr.

Specter issued the following statement today in a ploy to gain sympathy: "Senator Reid assured me that I would keep my committee assignments and that I would have the same seniority as if I had been elected a Democrat in 1980."

Promises. Promises. These are Democrats we're talking about, Arlen. You know all about Democrats and their promises. You were a Democrat once before.

The only bone the Democrats threw to Specter was that they would reconsider his status after the 2010 elections. In other words, you're screwed Arlen!

You turned your back on the Republican Party and the Democrats know you have no other place to go. That means they can wipe their feet on your face and all you can do is thank them for it.

Pennsylvania Republican Party Chairman Rob Gleason couldn't resist rubbing Specter's face in it: "Senator Specter is finding out that the grass is not always greener on the other side," Gleason said. "I am not surprised to see that many of Specter's Democrat colleagues weren't fond about having him bump them out of high-ranking committee positions. Specter's decision to choose political expediency over principles continues to backfire on him."

If Specter survives a Democratic primary in May 2010 and if he survives the general election in November 2010, he may move up in rank. That's what he sold out his party for? You almost feel sorry for this guy. Almost.

As you can imagine, the Pennsylvania blogosphere is abuzz with Arlen Specter getting his political just desserts.

From Specter Must Go: This is the beginning of the hell that Arlen Specter will undoubtedly experience.

From Snowflakes in Hell: I guess Harry Reid’s word is about as good as Obama's.

From GrassrootsPA: SLAP! SENATE DEMS STRIP SPECTER OF HIS POST SENIORITY…

From PAWaterCooler: It's an old, old story… Satan lures a desperate man with promises of power and glory, then once the poor sap commits himself and has nowhere else to turn, those promises turn to dust.

Even liberal bloggers like John Micek are surprised that Specter got the shaft from the Democrats. From Pennsylvania Ave.: Specter Loses Seniority On Committees. And With It ... key claim to electability that he would have likely made on the campaign trail next year.