Posted on 06/16/2009 4:52:19 PM PDT by MaestroLC
I mentioned this a while back, but it's now official: a state lawmaker in Pennsylvaia is trying to open up the state's primaries.
According to the Pocono Record:
HB 16472 was introduced June 11. The next day, it was referred to the state government committee which may consider the bill through a hearing, or vote on it. If it passes the committee, it will go to a full house vote.
Such an approach could feasibly help Specter (D-Pa.) win the Democratic primary, too, as he prepares for a challenge from the left from Rep. Joe Sestak (D-Pa.).
The timing could be more than coincidental.
When The Hill sat down with Specter before his party switch, he talked about opening up the primaries in Pennsylvania to independent voters, in the name of helping him defeat a conservative primary challenger. He acknowledged he was contacting state legislators in hopes of doing just that.
The same could now be said of the Democratic primary, and I wouldn't be surprised if Specter has at least a hand in what's going on in Harrisburg.
And with Sestak all but in the race, now is a good time to get this kind of story in the news.
Open up for fraud.
I disagree it will help Specter.
If it appears Toomey has the GOP primary in the bag, I will vote for Sestak and I would encourage other Republicans in PA to do the same.
There might be some Republicans who would vote for Specter in an open primary, but I bet there would be just as many or more who would vote against him.
Be careful about that. I think Sestak would be a more formidable general election candidate, not carrying Specter’s baggage or senility. We got the WORST possible opponent for our GOP Guv candidate in VA because some thought voting for Deeds in the Dem primary would be better than the other two moonbats. And I’ll go one further, some of us thought backing a certain Chicago moonbat pol with a terrorist-sounding name in a Dem primary would result in us holding a Senate seat in 2004, and I needn’t tell you who that person is.
Possibly so. Have to wait and see how it all plays out. Specter is a very ripe target for Toomey or whoever wins the GOP primary. Toomey would not be the least bit reserved in going after Specter.
I'm used to thinking that there is a sector of moderate Republicans in and near Phila./Pitts., but I believe they defected to Clinton in the 90's and have never returned, so I doubt they're still in Specter's pocket like they used to be.
Big negative about Sestak is he is a total unknown except for right around his district, whereas Specter is a household name in PA (for the good or bad).
ping
Actually, Sestak being an unknown outside his district helps his cause. With known candidates with voters that pretty much have a solid opinion on them, it can be hard to change minds. If you were an average leftist Dem, would you be that hot to nominate a 40+ year former Republican (however liberal), sickly and senile 80-year old Specter when you can get a bonafide leftist moonbat like Sestak who is 21 years younger ?
Of course! If you can’t win easily, cheat! It’s the Dem way!
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