Fox News' Beltway Boys Predict Upset in PA Senate Race

NFRA ^ | 4-22-04

[Veritas_est]

Pennsylvania: Fox News' Beltway Boys Predict Upset in PA Senate Race

Republican Assembly efforts noted

The popular weekly political talk show "Beltway Boys" on the Fox News Network predicted an upset win by conservative Congressman Pat Toomey against Incumbent RINO Senator Arlen Specter. To the surprise of many inside the Washington DC beltway, a solid pro-life Republican who will support President Bush in judicial nominations and in tax policy is on the verge of an upset victory over the liberal Senator who has fought the President on both crucial issues.

Despite the efforts by Specter to derail the President's nominees and his weakness on fiscal issues the President endorsed the re-election of Specter. If returned to office, Specter is poised to take the Chairmanship of the Senate Judiciary Committee. While it would seem apparent that the White House would be better served by Toomey the endorsement is seen by many as an effort to limit the antagonism of what would ordinarily be a certain re-election of an incumbent.

In the past couple of weeks the relatively unknown Toomey has soared in the polls and should be well in the lead by Election Day if the current trends continue. While Toomey has motivated supporters and turnout by conservatives should be very good, Specter has resorted to desperate tactics by encouraging liberal Democrat union members to register to vote as Republicans promising that they can immediately return to the Democrat Party.

The efforts to get unashamed liberals to vote for Specter may have actually helped Toomey in his recent upswing in polling. Capitalizing among the bulk of the GOP being conservative Toomey has identified himself with "The Republican Wing of the Republican Party" which is the copywritten moniker of the National Federation of Republican Assemblies (NFRA) and the Pennsylvania Republican Assembly. The Republican Assembly group in Pennsylvania endorsed Toomey earlier this year and much of its leadership have been close to the campaign.

Republican Assemblies work to keep the GOP conservative by endorsing true conservatives prior to primary elections and then putting their vast volunteer network to work for those candidates.

Use of the phrase "The Republican Wing of the Republican Party" in the campaign and on the Fox News broadcast brought a flood of interest to the NFRA. NFRA President, Richard Engle said, "We are pleased that Cong. Toomey is using the phrase because it reflects the reason we are known by it." Engle continued, "If a non-member of a Republican Assembly or a candidate not endorsed by a state chapter were to use the phrase, well, they would get a call from our attorney. In this case it is very appropriate and we are very encouraged by the recent polling in Pennsylvania. I just hope that the trend continues and that the Pennsylvanians who have seen Sen. Specter as the obstructionist liberal that he is will stay motivated and vote for Cong. Toomey for US Senate.

[Ann Archy]

Jon Kyl is FABULOUS!!

[JohnnyZ]

Jon Kyl is FABULOUS!!

No no, that's Jim Kolbe. He's also Glam.

[NittanyLion]

To believe a Toomey nomination is not bad for the right you have to believe that Bush and Santorum want Joe Hoefel to win the Senate and Kerry to win P.A.

Go figure - I find you on yet another thread spreading unsubstantiated assertions in defense of the liberal Arlen Specter. It sure does bother you that the moderate wing of the GOP is unable to control events in PA, doesn't it?

[NittanyLion]

Wrongo. How often do you see the Party Establishment choose a challenger (much less openly) in a primary? 40 years to undo the "Goldwater debacle? You mean it was only undone this year? What about Reagan in 1980? (Nixon won in 68 and 72 as well). So if Specter isn't on the ticket, then Bush automatically loses PA? Your logic leaves much to be desired.

Common Tator is much irritated by the inability of the moderate GOP establishment to dictate to PA voters who their candidate will be. He can't be troubled by logic right now.

[rundy]

This is GREAT news! I hope it materializes.

[Right Wing Puppy]

I can't stand Specter as much as any body but, I will vote for him because it is what's best for Bush in PA. The general election will draw a lot of left leaning weenies and will overshadow the avid conservatives who will elect Toomey. Toomey will not do well in the Philly suburbs. Spector will actually help W in PA in Nov. Bush lost 4 of the 5 Philly area counties. As much as I hate to say it, W needs Arlen the Scottish law expert.

[HamiltonJay]

My concern with Toomey is simple, he's running a campaign as the "non Specter", or the "anti-Specter" if you will. Just going out with this "I'm a real conservative" vaguery...

That means nothing. Yes everyone knows who Specter is, and know what his record is, and most hard right don't like him.. so that speaks to them and will get them to Vote for Toomey.

I however just don't see Toomey offering anything, what's his platform? Being the "true conservative" or the "anti-specter" in the primary will get you votes.... but its not going to do much in the General.

If he pulls off the upset, good for him. However I just don't see what his message is supposed to be for the General election at all. Going into the general with just "I am a real conservative".. .just isn't going to get you to office.. better have something better, or you'll be Mike Fisher all over again statewide.

[Proud Legions]

Incumbent Presidents almost always support incumbent Senators. The real test is how strong that support is. I have not seen a lot fo real strong support from Pres Bush for Specter...just enough to check the box. They are concerned about the genral election...but I hope Toomey pulls the primary win out. If he does I would bet Pres Bush will go all out supporting Toomey. Many trips to PA this Fall.

Does anyone know who he would run against int eh general election? Any polling on that race?

[Temple Owl]

Trust me when I tell you that some Delco GOP politicians wearing Specter buttons are predicting that Toomey will win . They are even going to pull the Toomey lever. I got it first hand. It's the truth.

[PA BOOKEND]

This conservative will NEVER vote for Arlen Specter - - not even for dog catcher.

[Temple Owl]

Go Pat go!

[Choose Ye This Day]

Please, Pennsylvania...for the sake of the country:

"Bork" this RINO!

[Mamzelle]

re: To the Bush team, I'm convinced that the absolute worst thing for any state in the Northeast is a pair of U.S. Senators split between the two parties. In my opinion, the Bush administration would rather deal with two Democratic senators from a "Blue" state than deal with a Senator from each party -- because it's a lot easier to screw a Democratic state when it comes to Federal appropriations bills. This is exactly why the Bush administration did not lose much sleep when Jeffords jumped ship in 2001, and why they did not try very hard to defeat Lautenberg in New Jersey in 2002. )))

That is quite a cogent bit of analysis! I'm impressed!

Now, can you explain to me Bush's attachment to Fox? That bends me all out of shape...

[RinaseaofDs]

What an excellent title for his eventual memoirs:

Not Proven
The Life and Times of A Leader Who Avoided Leadership Whenever Possible

[cksharks]

Your a complete idiot. Lott is the third most conservative Republican in the Senate.

[Ann Archy]

I'll repeat...Jon Ky is Fabulous!! He's the brightest conservative star in the Senate!!

I know Jim Kolbe is gay.

[paleocon patriarch]

The thought of Arlen Sphincter being dismissed to a life of magic bullet memories makes me giddy!

[JohnnyZ]

I know Jim Kolbe is gay.

Then you knew I was making a joke.

[Dan from Michigan]

If Toomey could win, Bush, Santorum and the RNC would be behind him with full bore support.

The policy is almost always to back incumbents. As for Toomey not being able to win, Toomey's district went for Gore - Leigh Valley area. Toomey won it THREE TIMES.

BTW - Santorum is argueably more conservative than Toomey, and not only did he win, he beat an incumbent.

[Ann Archy]

I didn't.