WASHINGTON (CNN) - A new poll of Pennsylvania voters suggests that the newest Democrat in Congress, Sen. Arlen Specter, would easily beat his old rival, Republican Pat Toomey, in Specter's battle for re-election next year.
But the Quinnipiac University survey, released Monday, indicates that Specter would have a much tougher re-election fight on his hands if he faces
off in 2010 against former Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge.
Last Tuesday Specter, who has represented Pennsylvania in the Senate for nearly 30 years as a Republican, announced he was switching his party affiliation from the GOP to the Democrats.
The longtime moderate Republican said he was "anxious" to stay in the Senate, and didn't want to face a Republican primary in order to keep his seat next year.
"I was unwilling to subject my 29-year record in the U.S. Senate to the Pennsylvania Republican primary electorate," Specter said Tuesday. "But I am pleased to run in the primary on the Democratic ticket and am ready, willing and anxious to take on all comers in the general election."
Fifty-three percent of Pennsylvania voters say they would back Specter if their state's Senate race were held today, with 33 percent supporting Toomey. The fiscally conservative former congressman narrowly lost to Specter in the 2004 Pennsylvania Republican Senate primary and decided to take on Specter a second time after Specter was one of only three Republicans in Congress to vote for President Barack Obama's $787 billion stimulus package.
But if Specter faces off against Ridge, a popular former Pennsylvania governor before joining the Bush Administration after the September 11th attacks as the first director and then secretary of Homeland Security, the poll indicates the race, if held today, would be extremely close. Forty-six percent of those questioned back Specter, with 43 percent supporting Ridge.
CNN's Dana Bash reports that Ridge has been formally approached by the Republican establishment in Pennsylvania to try and run in next year's election. A GOP strategist tells Bash that while it would be a struggle to encourage Ridge to run, the former governor did not close the door to the suggestion in his private conversation with top state Republicans.
"Gov. Tom Ridge is probably the only political figure in Pennsylvania who could give Sen. Arlen Specter a run for his money. But even if he gets a strong challenge from a Republican, Specter is still better off for having changed parties because he seemed headed to certain defeat had he stayed a Republican and faced Toomey in a primary," says Clay Richards, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.
In the poll, taken after Specter's switch of parties, 56 percent of respondents approve of the job the Senator is doing, 20 points higher than the 35 percent who disapprove.
Eight out of ten Democrats approve of Specter's duties as a senator, with Independents giving him a thumbs up by a 54 to 37 percent margin. Seven out of ten Republicans questioned disapprove of Specter's job as a senator.
Forty-nine percent say Specter deserves re-election, with 41 percent saying he doesn't deserve another term in office. Six in ten feel that the 79 year old Specter is not too old to serve another six year term in the Senate.
Before next year's general election, Specter could face primary opponents. Democrat Joe Torsella, who was already in the race, said last week that he would not step aside following the news that Specter was switching parties. Torsella is the former head of the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia.
Pennsylvania Rep. Joe Sestak told CNN Sunday that he wasn't sure Sen. Arlen Specter is really part of the Democratic Party, the latest in a series of tough comments aimed at his potential Senate primary rival.
"I'm not sure he's a Democrat yet," he told John King on State of the Union.
President Obama said earlier in the week that Specter had his support, with one administration official saying it took the president about "seven seconds" to make that decision.
Those remarks don't faze Sestak.
"The president has said he respects Arlen's independence…" he said. "He'll respect mine if that is the case, I know that."
In an effort to give a boost to any potential Democratic primary challenger, Specter's former colleagues in the Senate GOP launched a new campaign last week designed to highlight the consistency of his Republican record and his ties to President Bush and other party leaders.
Republican Sen. John Ensign vowed Sunday that his party will make sure Specter, the newly-minted Democrat, loses his re-election bid in 2010.
"I know as Republicans that we have some great candidates that we're recruiting out there," Ensign said on Fox News Sunday. "And we want to make sure that Arlen Specter is no longer in the United States Senate after the next election. We're going to work very hard to make sure that happens."
Specter's move could trigger a seismic shift in Washington and could be a major boon for Obama. Specter's switch gives the Democrats 59 votes in the Senate. If Democrat Al Franken wins the Minnesota Senate race, which is tied up in that state's supreme court, Democrats would have a 60-seat filibuster proof majority in the Senate.
The Quinnipiac University poll was conducted April 29-May 3, with 1,120 Pennsylvania voters questioned by telephone. The survey's sampling error is plus or minus 2.9 percentage points.
From CNN Politics
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this guy's a weenie....he belongs with the Dems
you will lost.. because voter only vote what they want.. now you change the party without OK from voter. You should wait until 2010 to change the party, as long approve from voter.
Brett.. You don't need the okay from anyone to choose which party you belong to. Most voters (the wise ones) vote for a person, not a party.
Senator Spector does a great job for Pennsylvania. He bases his votes on what is best for the people of PA and he listens to the people he represents. I will be more than happy to vote for him....no matter which political party is a member of. It should not be about Party lines but what is best for the people you represent.
And now we see the real reason Spector changed parties. I believe that he is actually a better fit with the democrats, who settle comfortably feeding off the public.
Specter just won 2010 by switching to the correct side of History!! PA is solid BLUE!
[he] didn't want to face a Republican primary in order to keep his seat next year.
"I was unwilling to subject my 29-year record in the U.S. Senate to the Pennsylvania Republican primary electorate," Specter said.
and the "people" would actually vote for a guy who thinks like this?
we deserve what we vote for.
The headline of this ticker makes me so mad! This is why people say there is a bias in the media toward democrats. The ticker headline makes it appear Specter is a heavy favorite for re-election, it neglects to point out he is an under dog if Tom Ridge runs against him (something that has a good possibility of happening).
Headlines can make the news, You need to write them with more care CNN.
Who cares? He's not really been a Republican for a while and he doesn't really march in step with Democrats either. Basically, if you don't care, you can vote for him with no consequences to the balance of power in Washington.
The problem here is that too many voters are too ignorant to realize that the only reason he switched parties is to win...He puts his political career first instead of his constituents – switch to the party that is favored right now...I hope he loses bad.
Well Maybe he could win look at Lieberman after the Democrats were so kind and kicked him. I believe he had to go independent. I can't believe the Democrats were that narrow minded. they should allow a diversity in though in the party.
@ jrzshor May 4th, 2009 10:32 am ET
[he] didn't want to face a Republican primary in order to keep his seat next year.
"I was unwilling to subject my 29-year record in the U.S. Senate to the Pennsylvania Republican primary electorate," Specter said.
and the "people" would actually vote for a guy who thinks like this?
we deserve what we vote for.
_____________________________________
A lot of people will vote for him, as this poll shows.
...and I can see why the GOP will continue to lose by the comments posted here. I am a PA voter, and will vote for whomever I think will do the best job, (R) or (D). I will not vote for an extreme from either party.
Former Gov. Ridge is a Bush crony. This will work against him in the general election.
I hope the people in Pennsylvania wake up and see through the political ruse here.
Conservative commentors and talking heads are racing each other to throw Specter under the bus. However, they are speaking out of both sides of their mouths by touting his pro-republican voting record on one hand, then citing his republican shortcomings (read: moderation) on the other.
Its amazing how this republican elasticity does not translate into any other areas of their political efforts.
They didn't poll anyone in my neck of the woods.
AnnMM –
I agree with you, but the voters voted for Obama – which hasn't proved effective yet...
Regardless of party, you need to keep a balance in Government. You can't have Democrats OR Republicans control both the House & Senate. When that happens you see one party rule (like we have now) and that ruins this great nation. Just look at the massive spending going on now without any roadblocks.
The People of PA should be ashamed of Spector as he has just slapped those who have backed him for so long...
Good for him.
May the real Arlen Specter please stand up....Flip Floper
Go Arlen! Go Arlen! Keep Pennsylvania BLUE, baby!
Spector forgot one thing when he switched parties.....Dems want health care reform and Spector will vote against it! Let's see how that goes over in the Democratic primary.
Get real, people. Specter changed parties because his own party has openly said that they are targeting him for replacement simply because he has supported some of the president's initiatives. In the new and not so improved GOP, thinking for yourself and bucking the party line is not tolerated. At least as a Democrat, he can maintain independence without his own party turning on him. If the Democrats can tolerate Joe Lieberman, they can certainly tolerate Arlen Specter. But, then, the Democrats have a long tradition of tolerence and embracing a plurality of ideas. One doesn't need to goose-step to be a Democrat, just patient.
At least respect the SUBLIMINAL TRUTH Apecter spoke.
Politicians consider themselves personally more important than the their positions. They work from the AUTHORITY of their positions not the RESPONSIBILTY of their positions.
The measure, (worth), of a politician is not the work or accomplishments; it is the longevity of his/ her career.
If you have drove around the Philadelphia area then you know just how liberal Democrat it is over there. People like that who have a total disregard for American lives as they scream about pouring water on terrorists heads would never support the party of morals, values, decency, integrity, respect, and patriotism.
Specter never had any of these key conservative values and it is more importaint for republicans to stay true to the best of America than to sell out to pure evil just to get votes in ultra lib areas.
Specter knew the republican better doesn't accept moderates anymore....they only want to feed fuming-in-the-mouth, blowhard Rush Limbaugh zombies as candidates!
Specter will win with a landslide, and the repugs better believe it that I'm voting for him 100%!!!!
Senator Spector is your typical politician who uses the wet finger in the air approach,his only interest is in staying in office and doing or saying whatever it takes to stay there.
Tom Ridge can't win the Republican primary either. He's too liberal. Pat Toomey has it locked up/.
Ha! your repuglican insults mean nothing. We all know Specter is no Dem. Heck, he doesn't even qualify for conservadem status. He voted against that bill aimed at helping struggling homeowners last week. We knew he wasn't a Dem when he left your party.
We are happy to have him because his presence will strengthen our ranks and increase the pool of ideas we have to work with. His departure from the GOP serves as further proof that your party is no competition...At this point, you don't serve as "loyal opposition" You guys aren't even viable opposition.
The GOP is in the midst of self destruction and headed to irrelevent obscurity.
These words should scare you into changing. But we all know that this party is not going to change.
I see...looks like the approval of Dems and Independents is what has him winning against Toomey. And is no secret, he's called out Specter before but now since these numbers came out, is kind of like Toomey lost reinforcements. And I don't know about you but Penn did go blue in the election, maybe we should have seen that coming.
Yeah, I think it'll be tough for Ridge to come back, I mean after all, there was gossip surrounding that he was one of the short list in McCain's V.P pick but it later proved false. I also believe one other reason why Ridge is doing so well because of the recognition, not only him but even Specter as well.
I think it'll be tough for Ridge to come back, I'm sure he is thinking about it but I don't think he's gonna rush it, politics ain't no game and you really need time, especially in these times. And not only that but even if he was interested, he already needs to be prepare because supposedly the "tough fiscally conservative" Toomey was gonna take him down with one blow and that's because of the stimulis bill...well, there goes his answer.
Maybe Specter is a bit smart than we give him credit...hmmmm???? He is old-school and knows the game in Penn, maybe he knows what's going on.
Steve
Take a deep breath and re-read the article carefully.
"...the poll indicates the race, if held today, would be extremely close. Forty-six percent of those questioned back Specter, with 43 percent supporting Ridge."
The 'liberal media' reported it correctly. The GOP faithful have selective reading comprehension problems.
The Democrat party: home for 79 year old white lawyers who will do anything to get elected. Nice.
Tom Ridge couldnt get elected dog catcher here.Hes a fear mongering tool.Spector will win easily.Another nail in the republican coffin.I love mondays and good news.
Spector changed parties to save his political career.
He will likely win the next election, because of what he has accomplished for PA while in Congress.
He'll be a moderate force in Congress, just like he always has been.
Most of you people who don't live in Pennsylvania have no idea who Arlen Specter was up until now(especially considering a lot of you can't even spell his last name right.) We keep voting for him in Pennsylvania because we like him. He has done a great job representing us in the Senate and making decisions based on the states best interests. We will certainly support him if he was a Democrat or a Republican. You guys need to learn that you really don't have a clue of what your talking about for the most part, sorry.
"...Toomey. The fiscally conservative former congressman..."
Once again the media (in this case CNN) is making up the news rather than reporting it.
Favoring tax cut after tax cut for the super-rich while continuing to spend and spend and spend, creating more and more and more deficit, in order to transfer more and more and more wealth from the working class to the ruling class (Toomey's actual record) does NOT make Toomey a "fiscal conservative."
If I were a Pennsylvanian...i certainly wouldn't vote for this guy...and i'm a democrat! How about we vote someone NEW, and refreshing? someone with 'new generational' ideas and mentality...all those old farts in congress have driven this country to the ground! I'm happy to have the democratic majority in both house & the senate.....BUT we need new people, fresh ideas (or better yet, just DIFFERENT work ethics) etc...and i personally don't trust ANY republican switching over...especially if they're doing it JUST to win an election! So when it gets too hot in the republican kitchen, this guy wants to join the dems? and he does so with a "NO" to obama's housing bill! thanks Specter and to the other 10 dems who voted against 1.7 MILLION people possibly losing their homes!
What CNN fails to mention is that the reason a hypothetical Specter/Ridge matchup is much closer is because Ridge, like Specter until recently, is a moderate Republican. For Republicans seeking "party purity", trading Specter for Ridge, a pro-choice moderate, is not acceptable. The next few months will be interesting in PA....will the GOP take the practical approach and go with the moderate Ridge in an effort to win? Or will the GOP eschew moderation for party purity and stick with Toomey, who stands virtually no chance to win?
tom ridge???????// republican, bush crony, supported mc cain........'nough said.............keep the respected Senator Specter in the senate......when will the reptiles get rid of the beener, cantor and of course, the rest of the hissing radio comedians....UGH!
Arlen Specter will defeat any fiscal conservative in a general election because the majority of Americans have changed.
At least, caught in the headlights, Specter has been forthright about his reason for switching parties – re-election which is job number one for all of Congress.
Oh, you want to know where serving the people ranks, liberal or conservative: you'll need a Hubble telescope to spot that.
Personal enrichment, power, celebrity status, influence and way way down somewhere in the Twilight Zone comes serving the people for which they devote, liberal or conservative, about five minutes a week.
Specter's move highlights the entire problem with the GOP. Good candidates who are moderates can't get through GOP closed primaries. Specter did not charge party affiliations because he thought he would loose the general election. He changed because he refused to be judged by the handful of Republican primary voters who have turned into caricatures of themselves of hard right, low information, Joe the Plumber, tea party type voters. These people who choose the republican candidates are NOT representative of the PA constituency as a whole. And that is why they are destined to be a minority party for some time.
I'd be curious to see a primary match up poll between Toomey and Ridge. Even Ridge may be too (socially) moderate and not pure enough for the Republican primary voter.
I admire Specter for getting away from that awful Obstructionist Republican party..... more republicans should jump ship.
Spector realized that his chances where better as a Dem so he switched parties again for political advantage. His views are mostly moderate he is against gay marriage and against any ban on wepons even assualt riffles. He like Obama is on the fence on most issues as he says he is against abortion but is also for a the right to choose?
The guy is old and needs to retire.
Arlen Defector is looking out only for himself. He had no intention of changing parties until polls started coming out showing him down substantially again the republican challenger. What does it say about the democratic challengers that he felt so comfortable changing parties assuming tht he will have a cake-walk to victory in the primary?
Well, that is a poor reflection on the PENN voters. I don't care if they vote republican or find some decent independent, but to vote for a bozo who is a typical politician who only cares about being in office as opposed to serving the people.
Either vote in the REPUB candidate, find a new DEM candidate, or some decent Independent, but don't vote for this BOZO.
Denial ain't just a river in Egypt. Conservatives are absolutely clueless and blaming everyone but themselves for this, as per usual.
The 2010 Senatorial election in my state of PA boils down to a fascist (Toomey) versus a moderate (Specter). Specter will destroy him.
Those of you complaining about his move are simply experiencing sour grapes; your party has moved way too far to the right and you have got to get your heads out of the sand and stop pretending it's 1910.
Even speaking as the liberal I proudly am, we need a vibrant and ideologically diverse Republican party and a healthy two-party system to function effectively as a nation.
Reagan spoke of a "big tent". You should listen to your Holy Savior – he was actually right about this. Specter left because the tent got too small and you pushed him out in the rain.
Specter supported Obama and the Republicans have openly said they were going get him booted out because of it ....... so now that he is democrat he will will because the state of Penn. liked him and the state sure was pretty Blue this last election.......so he will be elected again.........republicans your finished, people don't want your politics any more.......your too conservative and this country is no long marching to the tune of the conservative right wing......
to Greg in Pottstown from another story,
You are either deaf, or just enjoy telling lies.
President Obama never said he would pull all troops out of Iraq regardless of circumstances.
he also never said he wouldn't raise taxes.
I could go on too. You see, you can lie, but it just makes the case for those of us (the 80%) who don't think the Republicans can be trusted.
Republicans screaming about Specter are amusingly unaware how much they sound like Stalin; they would have liked to send Specter to the gulag for failing to obey Rush Limbaugh.
Specter switched parties because we have a representative form of government that values individual freedom, whether the GOP likes it or not.
Today's Republicans are like the Puritans, who came to America for the freedom to make everyone practice religion their way. That's the problem with fundamentalists: they will never concede the possibility that there might be another valid point of view.
When he was asked yesterday on Meet the Press, if there were any considerations given him by the democrats, he stated "No". When asked how he kept his chairmanship position, he said it wasn't a bribe but an entitlement. Why would he be entitled to anything?? And why isn't anyone in the media questioning him on it?
Yes, I will be one of them voting and working on Specter campaign. I am a Dem and always voted for Specter, plus I work in the same building were his Pittsburgh office is. He is a good and fair Senator.
I think Arlen Spector did the right thing. I have always thought he should switch parties. I am a union man and specter halways received the union endorsement.
The Republican Party has become a white male fundamtalist Christian Party. It ias close to being Fascist as it's ever been.
I believe it will onl be a matter of time before Sen Lympia Snow and Se, Suan Collins of Maine jump ship.
Pennsylvania Democratic voters are in a lose-lose situation should Specter get reelected as a Democrat.
If he loses, then Pennsylvania Democrats will have squandered an opportunity to seat a Democrat on the coat tails of Obama's popularity
If he wins, they will have elected a seat for hire as Specter has no principled values apparent by his sudden embracement of the democratic party simply to win a final term, and as this will likely be his last Senate term, he will likely vote as a Republican moderate as he has for 30 years, so Democrats will get what they asked for – A moderate Republican masquerading as a Democrat.
if you think ridge was a bush croney, this guy backed bush/cheney to the hilt, he knew where his re-election money was coming from, all the defense contractors in the us, and yes, the defense contractors in israel, go rosen/weisman..
Doug, New Jersey
Check out a map, PA is a lot bigger than just Philadelphia.
Arlen Defector? Keep whining about the fact that he switched and don't ask yourself what it means that he beats Toomey hands down in a general election but loses in a GOP primary. Keep focusing on him and not on your own party. The hardcore conservatives are doing more to destroy the GOP than anyone could have hoped for.
By embracing Arlen Specter, a lifelong Republican, the Democrats have shown they will do anything to gain a majority in the Senate. Arlen Specter is no more a Democrat than John McCain or George Bush. Specter has openly stated that the only reason he is switching parties is to get relected as he realized he would not win in a Republican primary. Well, if the GOP did not want them, I am laughing at the Democrats for embracing him. Once in office, Specter will be in his last term, and he will return to the GOP - a nice "in your face" to Obama and the democratic Party. And even if he does not return to GOP after being elected, he will conduct himself and vote as he has for 30 years - as a Republican. Did anyone notice that AFTER he announced his party change, he did not vote for the Democratic trillion dollar budget - sort of a prelude of things to come should he win reelection.
The problem with Mr Ridge? HE'S A REPUBLICAN... NUFF SAID....
It seems like everyone is certain that Specter will win the Democratic primary. I'm not so sure. He is going to have a hard time winning Democratic support if he continues to oppose Card Check and key aspects of Health Care Reform.
Any good Democrat should be able to beat Tomney. Why not nominate a "real democrat".
Watch him win and continue to vote with Republicans! That would be the biggest double cross lately in US politics....
From Todd Schmidt: "Well Maybe he could win look at Lieberman after the Democrats were so kind and kicked him. I believe he had to go independent. I can't believe the Democrats were that narrow minded. they should allow a diversity in though in the party."
Todd, nothing was done to Lieberman and he is still a Democrat. He maintained all of his power and positions held within the party. Please stop watching Fox News and learn something before you post.
We need term limits for both houses of Congress. Senators should be limited to two consecutive terms. They could run, again, after sitting out one term. We need to bring an end to a seniority system that virtually renders freshman senate members impotent. Way too many of an ill-informed electorate vote on name recognition alone. This needs to end.
anyone with a room temperature IQ can see what spector is doing. he is attempting to save his political skin. his concern is not for the people of PA or the USA his political future. unfortunately, it is not just spector, it's every senator and congressman in DC. the list of importance to all of them is: (1) get reelected (2) get reelected (3) get reelected (4) do something for the people back home and try not to make it look like pork – SO I CAN GET REELECTED. -– TERM LIMITS NOW!!!!!!
How could any one admire or respect a person that turns his back on his core principles just in order to win an election?
Moreover, I have to ask why any Democrat would support a person that has shown he cannot be trusted.
The only thing to add is he does fit in very well with a party of the dishonest AKA: The Democrat Party!
Specter and the Democrats were made for each other since both will lie though their teeth in order to win an election.
Funny how Democrats could not stand the person when he was a Republican but now that he is a Democrat they love him as one of their own. Got news for you people he is the same person only with a different letter in front of his name!!
David, Your comment to me made very little sense, if you had any understanding of my original post. Furthermore I entirely disagree with every position you stated. Obama has done a great deal in ONLY 3/12 months in office and the Republican party was going to guarantee that Specter did not win the Republcan primary. That doesn't mean the people of PA didn't want Specter for a senator, it just meant they most weren't even going to get a chance to vote for him thanks to the RNC.
You're well spoken David but I disagree with your entire philosophy.
The problem is the Republican party needs to evolve if it wants to survive. And we all know how good Republicans are with evolution.
I have never been a fan of Arlen Spector, but I completely understand his position. He wants his goals achieved and cannot do it under Republican No-ism anymore. The party has swayed too far right and does not care about Spector's agenda. So, in order to continue the battle, he must stay in political power. Thus changing sides.
I don't see it as mutiny if your views are no longer are supported by the group.
Its a Political move ...He's like Obama will do anything and say anything to try to get people to vote for him...He has nothing to offer anyone....Just like Obama ....
Ridge should wait and run agains that morron Bbo Casey Jr. This will be Specters last election. Why should the republicians waist one of there very best on a race against Specter. It makes more sense for Ridge to wait and take on Bob Casey Jr. Ridge would slaughter Casey.
"I will change parties before i will run and risk defeat."
WE THE PEOPLE are the Government of the UNITED STATES. . Not these hacks currently in office.
November 2, 2010 the date we begin to take our Country back. VOTE OUT the INCUMBENTS. VOTE AGAINST the INCUMBENT in any primary. FIRE THEM, the Congressmen/ women and the third of Senators that have to run.
They are terrified of losing their jobs and their power. This thought makes them tremble more than anything.
If you want to stop the spending binge if you want to take back self governing control then VOTE OUT the INCUMBENTS whoever is left standing will get the message that WE THE PEOPLE are the government and they were sent to Washington DC to do what we want not serve the special interest groups or any one section or political group of our country.
WAKE UP
We need term limits. This is really sad. He doesn't want to face the people who put him in office in the next election. Funny, he is supposed to be working for the people who put him in office. Obviously, he did not meet his (former) constituent's approval in his latest round of representation. He needs to find another job.
What was that about principles and politicians? I always thought they were in politics for their conviction of the ideals of the people they serve. Specter has proven me right, he is in politics for his own benefit and power hunger cravings. who would have thought that a politician could behave this way? On another note, I would say that voting for a guy like this is liking voting for the devil or close to it, if the devil were real.
GOOD RIDDANCE TO BAD RUBBISH – he fits in much better with dems who have proven over and over not to have any morals, scruples, or knowledge of decency! WHAT A BUNCH OF LOOSERS AND SPECTOR IS THE BIGGEST! it will be soo much fun to see him lose after pulling such a cheap trick – but what dems don't understand is the american people know sleaze and we are about done with it so watch out dems – a whole lot of you are on your way out the door!!!!!
Ridge is also a pro-choice moderate, the Republicans will harass him until he leaves the party too.
Political tolerance from Democrats?
"If the Democrats can tolerate Joe Lieberman, they can certainly tolerate Arlen Specter"??????
The entire Democratic party campaigned against Lieberman. Let's not forget the classy attacks from Moveon.org. Then again Moveon consists of the same dirtbags that ran a full-page ad against a returning/successful general from the battlefield in Iraq. You stay classy MoveOn!!
Sestak is a much better choice and man, vote for him in the democratic primary.
I think he should have become an independent like Lieberman. It's time for a third party, a centralist party. Maybe call it the White Line party (the one down the middle of the raod). After all about 75 % of Americans belong to that group.
In all honestly, I don't know whether to like this guy or not. He's certainly not the "Sixtieth" I would have hoped for.
TommyF May 4th, 2009 11:36 am ET
"If the Democrats can tolerate Joe Lieberman, they can certainly tolerate Arlen Specter"??????
The entire Democratic party campaigned against Lieberman.
----------------
Please, Mr. F....what did Lieberman 'campaign' FOR that he was even able to be campaigned AGAINST? Last I recall, HE campaigned against Democrats, and wasn't running for anything himself, not on a single ticket. So enlighten me oh "So full of crap" one.
As usual, Republicans, making up stuff as they go and using it as propoganda.
The moderate Republicans are the TRUE Republicans. The party has been infested with fascists that have poisoned the values of conservatism and it is that ultra-violent, tyrannical, personality-cult, evangelical, sect that should go the way of the dinosaurs.
lol.... there sure are a lot of people, mostly from the right, but a few from the left, who think "PART" is the same thing as "VALUES".
Specter has always been his own man and never has been a straight line Republican. He started as a Democrat, then switched when Reagan pushed the "Big Tent" idea. Now even St. Ron would have trouble recognizing what his beloved party has become.
Specter's values have not changed and hopefully never will. The party drove him and other moderates out. The true "big tent" is now the Democratic party, so he is welcome.
I hope the Republican party can regain some of it's past "values" and get past this rigid ideology that excludes anyone who disagrees with Limbaugh and Hannity.
Yea, good luck with htat.
"The entire Democratic party campaigned against Lieberman. Let's not forget the classy attacks from Moveon.org."
Didn't several Senators – including Obama – actively campaign for Lieberman during the primary? Lieberman lost that primary – was the Democratic Party then supposed to get behind the independent run of the guy who was rejected by Connecticut's Democratic primary voters. Many Dems and liberal organizations may have backed Lamont over Lieberman in the primary but that's what happens in primaries – see Toomey v. Specter, 2004 and 2010 (since canceled). And once you lose the primary, all bets are off – if you choose to run as a member of the other party or as an independent, you are fair game. Lieberman thought he would win the primary and he was wrong. He then guessed correctly that he could win the general as a independent. But that was a one time shot – he'll never win a Senate election in CT again.
BTW, the reason Lieberman became an "independent Democrat" and not a Republican is because the GOP would have never accepted a pro-choice, moderate like Lieberman. The Democratic Party is a much bigger tent, kind of like America. The GOP? Not so much.
Oh, so what he is really saying, I want the cushy senate seat anyway I can get it. First and foremost... ANY senator or representative who is presntly in office should ALL be voted out as they are the main reason we are in the mess we are in... THEY were not watching for WE THE PEOPLE but lining their pockets. Spector needs to go... PA vote against him... whether another Democrat or Republican... These should not be lifetime jobs!
I am sick of these polls and surveys for elections over a year away. Who cares? It's like prejudging an executive and saying they will or will not get a promotion over a year away before evaluating their work during that time. No more irrelevant polls please.
term limits ....please ....30 plus years... no party should have some one in there that long.... new blood on both sides
Now that the stock market is above the level on the last day of Bush's administration, can we all say: Good for You, President Obama?
Two-term limits and no congressional golden parachute retirement plan. That's what we really need folks, let get rid of these 30 plus years professional politicians who forgets who puts them in office right after the election. Two-term limits will also dramatically reduce the corruption that runs through that den of thieves.
Babs.........These should not be lifetime jobs!...How do we the people change it ?.......
That's how far the Repubicans have fallen – Tom Ridge did a fine job as HSA Boss, but can't even win a poll against a person who recently dumped his older political "wife" for a younger "woman". As a life long Democrat, I fear the 1960s all over again – Democrats in total power, with a weak, almost useless, Republican Party offering no opposition. Think Gulf Of Tonkin Resolution, and subsequent Vietnam calamity: 56,000 Americans, and 3,000,000 Vietnamese, dead. And, for what: The defeat of Communists, the ones that surrendered without much of a struggle, twenty years later, because they ran out of money? God Almighty, "when will they ever learn".
The Republican Party just proves over and over that it is a party of radicals with no understanding of the concept of independently looking at both sides of issues.
"michael May 4th, 2009 11:17 am ET
Doug, New Jersey
Check out a map, PA is a lot bigger than just Philadelphia."
Michael, check out a community college for some math lessons. Libadelphia and its metro area is where the population is. The people there lack even basic morals and values, put Americans lives at risk each and every day, and have intolerance, as all liberals do, for every single person they encouter. They would vote Bin Laden if he had a D next to his name.
The Dems are now collecting all the old loony bins retreads like Spectacle, who like Joe Biden can't help but say outrageous things. How can this not be bad for them and good for Reps??
This is too funny. I guess the Republicans are crying the blues.
Rule of Law. NEVER piss off one of your own, it may come back to haunt you. Republicans attacked Specter mercifully as a Republican, and now he may seriously beat Toomey!!
Ridge can't win the Republican primary anymore than Specter could. It will be the neocon Toomey which ensures that the Democrat will win whomever he/she may be.
I wonder if Sen. Ensign has received a copy of the recent poll results.
These members of ,"the party of NO" can´t seem to understand the "change and hope" that America is undergoing... Shame on them.
This guy is a poster child for term limits.
He certainly sounds greedy and stupid enough to be a Democrat. Let the whiny old SOB go with the socialists add him to the proud list that contains the list of that old murderer Kennedy, Dodd, Frank, William Jefferson, Rangel (what ever happened to that investigation by Nancy Pelosi) and all of the other cheats, criminals and despots in the once proud Democratic party.
So poor old Spectacle became a Dem because the Reps didn't love him anymore! Who ever said that you had a job for life, especially when you are making very poor decisions. You have to EARN your seat to keep it, and if the Reps have some better candidates, then what's wrong with that and some freah blood? Let Spectacle take his old deflated ball over to the Dems and they can deal with his poor performance. This does NOT make the Reps weaker, but the same cannot be said of the Dems...
Patricia,
It's called voting.
Who cares? Specter is an unprincipled hack.
How could the RepubliCONS actaully vote for RIDGE again!?! He is as big of an idiot as Sarah and Dubba!
To Moderate Democrat:
Lieberman campaigned for reelection in 2006 as an independent. And as I recall he won after a massive smear campaign from the far-left (ie. MoveOn) along with most high profile dems campaigning against him.
What facts do I seem to be inventing here?
Now now children, you forget the facts. It is only okay to switch parties if you are going from Democratic to Republican. Anything else is wrong.
The last time I check, Hillary clinton was Presumptive democratic nominee according to CNN.....
The old folks, like me, have some experience to add to the overall picture. I'm not big on a guy who switches parties. Both have good and bad and I think we just pick one and go with it.... I do think think having two polictal parties is a good thing, in general. I hope that it continues.
Different views are not horrible.
Wow, such anger on both sides.
And yet, it's the minority who are the angry ones. Pity.
Still, this is why George Washington warned not to form political parties: It forces people to choose a side. And it makes people choose a candidate based on their party instead of everything else.
Specter is in for Specter, nothing else. He admitted it. Let the Democrats have him, he fits in well! He can be Biden's twin!
Specter is the posterboy for power that corrupts. These people get in office and some will do whatever it takes to hold on even at 79 years of age. Pitiful. Cut them loose.
I don't judge by political parties. We need two – at least. Basically, who are kind to each other and works together gets my vote. In some countries, that seems a big deal. Odd. Maybe I just don't understand the yu,k stuff and violence of Planet Earth. Probably not.
@ David,
There was also massive spending by the Republicans when Bush was in and they had majorities in both Houses. Plus, with all the checks and balances worked into the system and the fact that bipartisanship really doesn't happen anymore, nothing gets done without one party in control. If the majority and minor never agree on anything and have to have everything done their way with no compromise we get nowhere fast and nothing changes.
But don't get me wrong. I don't like having a one party government. It's the only thing worse than a two party government.
No More Incumbents.....It needs to be a law ..God ...The voting system doesn't work because as we all have seen they can control that too....
"The Dems are now collecting all the old loony bins retreads like Spectacle, who like Joe Biden can't help but say outrageous things. How can this not be bad for them and good for Reps??"
Democratic Senators – 60
Republican Senators – 40
It's really that simple. A loss is a loss.
Ridge will never Beat Specter in Pa why there is a R Infront of his Name!
David -- May 4th, 2009 10:41 am ET
.........You can't have Democrats OR Republicans control both the House & Senate. When that happens you see one party rule (like we have now) and that ruins this great nation.....…
=========================================================
I guess we only need to look at Bush's first 6 years in office to see that........right
?
I don't REALLY see where the story is. I mean, Spector changed parties only because he knew he wouldn't fare well in the GOP primaries. This just goes to show that there aren't too many differences between the Dems and the GOP. The only real difference is the Dems (congressionally speaking) seem to be plagued with inaction, as always.
TommyF May 4th, 2009 12:14 pm ET
--------------
Fair enough. I didn't expect us to just keep going back in history until we finally found something to use as a weapon. I just figured you might be talking about a 'current affair' rather then 'ancient history'. Just thought maybe you might be referring to some 'RECENT" election/campaign. Silly me.
But, republicans base policies on stuff from way back in the dark ages, I should have seen it coming.
Why can't the people who put him in office have a re-call and take him out of office.
I love watching the Grumpy Old Pinheads in the Republican party froth, whine and moan. They truly are the party of NO: No ideas, no progress, no honesty, no change, and no help for Americans unless you're rich and white.
Can Ridge beat Toomey in the Primary?
A slow roasting is happening in the republican party. Just a matter of time before this party is cooked.... and it's well deserved!
Arlen Spector is a turncoat that has now proven, again, that these politicians are in this solely for themselves – NOT US!
Specter has always done what he thinks is right for his constituents (witness the fact he has been re-elected so often): something more members of both houses, and on both sides of the aisle, should consider. He is a moderate, and was hounded out by his own party.
Perhaps those of you whose views are more radical should consider the fact that the greatest majority of people in this country view ourselves as MODERATES. We rarely vote party lines - we vote by issues, and not SINGLE issues. I would say most of us support civil rights for all citizens of this country, stronger regulation of businesses, a revamp of the tax laws, and fiscal responsibility.
People -"Both left & right" We need to wake up and realize that this is both parties plans. They want us fighting with each other. As long as they got us fighting, they can play their cards. So, if the left is in charge they play their political trumph cards and the same happens with the right. This lets our country go way left and way right depending on who is in charge at the time.
Now, we should all hopefully understand that this country cannot keep spending imaginary money that us taxpayers are expected to to back. It's no different than over running a credit card or taking out to big of mortgage like they say was the real problem. YET they are doing it......
Imagine if the people from both the left and right were on the same page. We actually do have a lot in common on the middle ground that the government and politicians don't share with us. We all want a fair tax, fair trade, health care concerns, education and most of all we all agree that we need our jobs back. They don't want us working together on these issues because they are affraid they would lose control. So they do everything in their power to keep us fighting with each other.
All government people up for re-election in 2010 should be voted out of office (ALL) this would give our leaders a notice that we have had it with all the bickering and finger pointing. We need to demand this of them.
It's actually to bad we don't have a really strong independent party yet. Although every media and blog would do everything in their power to exploit them, why? who's paying who?
Do we really want someone from either party that is potentially the age of your grandfather running the country? There should and must be age and term limits in our government.
There is a GOP grass roots initiative underway in Pennsylvania. Thousands of republicans are going to be switching parties in order to vote in the Democratic Party primary and insure that Arlen Specter wins the Democratic nomination. GOP insiders would much prefer Specter over any true Democrat and Senate insiders predict that once relected to what will be his last term, Specter will either openly revert back to the Republican party or simply continue his moderate Republican ways and vote more ofter with the GOP than against it. In the first such test since he announced his switch, Specter voted against his new party and with the GOP when voting against the trillion dollar Obama budget. This could be a win win for the GOP in Pennsylvania, who were in danger of losing the PA seat outright. With Specter, they still have an ally.
If I were a resident and voted for Spector, I would be calling for a recall vote for him switching parties. Obviously he is not representing the people that voted for him. He was a afraid of loosing his position, then he must not be doing what he should. This is another case of weak kneed public officials. If you don't stand for something, you will fall for everything.
Make that GREAT-grandfather if your young enough
If Ridge is the Republican candidate, Specter needs to emphasize to the Pennsylvania voters the advantages, committe wise, of having a Democrat as their senator. That could neutalize the problem of having two poplular candidates.
Specter should do to toomey worse than Casey did to snatorum. Santorum was the incumnbent and Casey a realtive unkown but Casey wiped the floor with the ultra conservative santorum because PA is not a white county in rural Alabama. 19% loss for the gop. In this case toomey is even more of a right wing crazy than santorum,and Specter is a 5 term mincumbant with strong support from everyone but the fringe right. SHould be 25% OR more. As for ridge, perhaps people here forget what a failure he was as governor, or what a national laughing stock while part of the buhs administration, but one can be certain that the Specter campaign will remind them,
GOP,
Specter didn't turn his back on his core principles - his party turned THEIR back on him, when he didn't toe the party line. The "belonging" to a party shouldn't mean that you violate your own core principles in order to do so.
What Specter has done is to want to continue to represent his constituents and vote for their best interests, which does not necessarily follow the Republican party line. And considering that more than 200,000 Pennsylvanians switched their party affliation to vote Democrat in the last two elections, and have consistently voted to re-elect him, should indicate that they, at least, feel like he is doing the job.
I also question term limits. While I am for term limits on the President (although I think it should be 3 terms), there is a certain build up of knowledge and expertise that comes with being a long-time incumbent in office. There are good arguements on both sides of this issue. Perhaps we should look at the number of years constituting a term for both houses of Congress...
The latest poll shows that the MAJORITY of people in Pennsylvania want Arlen Specter to represent them. THAT is what counts. It is the diminishing Republican party that is doing all the whining and trying to make it seem like the people don't want Specter. It's just them.
"Can Ridge beat Toomey in the Primary?"
I'd like to see that polled. My guess is probably not....and Ridge knows that and won't enter the race unless the GOP establishment promises to clear the way for him, ie – force Toomey to abandon his run. Toomey was hammering Specter in the polls and Ridge is pretty much as moderate as Specter. There's a reason he wasn't McCain's veep pick and it wasn't because Palin was so much more qualified or more acceptable to the larger number of voters in this country. The Republican base says that the GOP today is out of touch with Republican base voters. The problem for Republican base voters is that they are out of touch with the nation as a whole. And the GOP is a slave to its base, even if that base says the national party doesn't speak for them.
I find polls like this a little hard to believe. Who in their right mind would vote for a candidate who is more concerned with keeping his job then with standing up for principals? This is a man who betrayed the voters who put him in office .... Does anyone even know what principals Specter believes in?