Santorum's Shame

National Review Online | 4/15/04 | Stephen Moore

[Badray]

"Toomey cannot win the general election."

You keep repeating this as though you are programmed to say it. I go to Toomey events and find lots enthusiastic supporters. I go to events where both candidates are represented and I find lots of enthusiastic Toomey supporters and just a few Specter supporters. (Wait - Does it count if those supporters are his campaign staff?) I go to Specter only events and again, I find lots of enthusiastic Toomey supporters that outnumber Specters supporters and staff.

I have seen no grassroots activity on behalf of Specter. No signs. No bumper stickers. Nothing.

What are you seeing that gives you a different perspective?

[Tamzee]

I interpret the comments somewhat differently... I've even seen a Freeper state that if Specter does get the nomination, the Freeper will work as hard as possible to help the campaign of the Democrat opponent.

That "strategy" is rampant stupidity, IMHO.

[fatima]

You do not make any sense.May you burn in hell,only kidding.

[Badray]

" Any other PA FReepers think Toomey can pull this out?"

Put me on that list of those who think that he can win.

All those 'pinged' to this post also believe that he can win, but they can cast their own vote. No ghost voting here.

[PennsylvaniaMom]

Toomey can win...wasn't Santorum himself a 'surprise win' the first time around?

[fatima]

PennsylvaniaMom,He can win but we need to stand outside of the pools and look our friends in the eye .

[TOUGH STOUGH]

Agreed. Considering the Democrat Opponent is Joe Hoeffel, who is an even bigger louse than Spector.

[PennsylvaniaMom]

I think Toomey will have alot of campaign workers...alot of enthusiasm for him...btw, congrats on your granddaughters safe return. :) PaMom

[Badray]

We knew from the beginning that Toomey was the underdog; we knew that the 'official support' from the Party would be for Specter; we knew that it is almost unheard of to unseat any incumbent, let alone one with 24 years in office; and we knew that Specter would outspend him by 3 or 4 or 5 to 1.

We also knew that some people and politicians fear Specter; we also knew that some people and politicians depend on Specter for their job.

And we knew that no one likes Specter, forget about loving him.

There is genuine excitement for Toomey and I believe that that will continue to be contagious (We've gone from a deficit of 24 points to 6 in the polls in two months.) and will carry the day.

The NRA convention is here in town for the next three days. There will be a very visible Toomey presence. (I can't say more. You don't know who's reading this.)

In the meantime, send your money, your prayers, and your votes. We need them all.

[fatima]

Thanks beautiful Pa mom,last plane out,she will go back.Toomey,Joe Montone,Life.

[Badray]

On April 28th, it will all be "Arlen who?"

All but the most liberal RINOs will come out to work for Toomey and claim that they always really wanted him, but it was protocol to back the incumbent yada, yada, yada.

Win or lose on April 27th, GOP politics in PA are changing. We'll talk more later.

[TOUGH STOUGH]

Can't say that I disagree with a single word of your post!

GO TOOMEY!

[Badray]

Oh, and to finish my first thought. . .

Toomey can win the general. With the aforementioned help, plus the excitement of a primary win, Toomey's straightforward style and his sustantative message, HE WILL WIN IN NOVEMBER.

Santorum (whom I have always backed) will be relegated to being the 2nd most conservative Senator from PA. (I think that that may even have something to do with his support for Arlen.)

[fatima]

Santorum ,is first and what happened to Steve Friend.

[Badray]

Are we talking about the same two people?

Arlen Specter, will vote as a conservative in an election year.

Arlen Specter will vote with the president for liberal, big government spending programs. We all know that Bush has promoted too much of this, especially in the past 2 years. That is why his *with the president* percentage looks good right now.

Have you met Pat Toomey? Have you spoken to him? Have you heard what he stands for? His message resonates. People meet him and like him. He's real. He's genuine.

If you base your opinions on looks, you are really off base. Have you looked around the Senate lately? There ain't too many pretty boys.

[wardaddy]

maybe he fears Toomey?

rick has ambition beyond his current station.

i would understand if he stayed above the fray but this troubles me too and i saw him as a potential w successor

[Badray]

I won't disagree that Santorum is on that short list, but I will say that it is pretty sad that he cares more about party than principle.

I have come to believe that he wanted Specter to win so that he could hold title to the Most Conservative Senator. Toomey will take that title away as easy as taking candy from a baby.

I have never not voted for Rick but if he has Potomac Go Along To Get Along Fever, he might have to look for a new line of work.

[wingster]

Santorum has been "absorbed" into the system and has sold his soul to it!

Sad! This is very puzzling however. I'm not so sure that's the extent of the reason(s) why.

[Badray]

"I interpret the comments somewhat differently... I've even seen a Freeper state that if Specter does get the nomination, the Freeper will work as hard as possible to help the campaign of the Democrat opponent."

That would be me (and quite a few others). I will not allow Specter to chair the Judiciary Committee without trying to stop him. Specter in that chair will do more damage than a Dem with no power or influence. We will control the Senate with or without Specter.

[RegT]

Santorum's recent RINOism is strange, given that he took such a hard line in favour of the Texas Sodomy Law a few months ago.