Been a very busy week for a variety of reasons, which means I’ve missed a bunch of things that otherwise would have shown up here - for which I apologize to you, the paying customer! Er…

Anyway. Joe Hainthaler had something on this earlier in the week: Arlen Specter saying that he might wind up running as an independent next year:

“I’m staying a Republican because I think I have a more important role to play there,” he said. “I think the United States very desperately needs a two-party system. … And I’m afraid that we’re becoming a one-party system, with Republicans becoming just a regional party.”

Specter’s right about the GOP becoming a regional party, of the south. The more conservative the party gets, the more that becomes a distinct possibility. But Specter’s assuming that he and other moderates can wrest control of the party from the Limbaugh faction, or at least come to some sort of agreement.

I just don’t think that’s possible.

If Specter is really concerned about the U.S. becoming a one-party system, then he should stay Republican, mount the campaign of campaigns, and do what he can to crush Toomey (or whomever his opponent will be). If he wants to take back his party, he can’t do it as an independent. He’s got to fly the flag, make his stand.

And, somehow, win.