Specter-Toomey turnout low! Good Toomey News!

National Review / The Corner ^ | 4/27/04 | KJL

[Josh in PA]

STUFF FROM PA. [KJL] Most of this is cribbed from an email from a good, insidery source, with permission:

***Various sources in and around the Philadelphia suburbs report unusually low turnout. This is good news for Toomey, because the white-bread upper-middle class suburbs are the hot bed of squishy Republicanism.

***Broadly, polling sites have shown low turnout to this point. Poll officials outside of Harrisburg and north of Troy report low turnout. At one polling place outside of Troy, about 10 percent of registered Republicans had voted before 2 p.m. Low turnout statewide helps Toomey, because conservative Toomey backers are bound to show up, while Specter's backers will be more likely to decide something else is more worth their while.

***Weather so far has been good. Weather Channel, however, forecasts ugly weather, maybe rain or sleet in Philadelphia tonight. Doppler shows rain just hitting Philly. Rain may be spotty, rather than a big storm. Sleet hit Pittsburgh earlier today according to source in Allegheny Co.

***An exit poll in Lancaster Co. shows a slim lead for Toomey, 52-48. But this is very unscientific. It was of 113 voters at 23 polling places in the Co.

***A statewide conservative call-in show welcomed listeners to debate the race. Right away, they had Toomey callers. It took them 19 minutes to get a Specter backer on the air.

***Unscientific interviews show all late breakers going Toomey's way. This is promising for the 4-10 percent undecideds in most recent polls. Many pro-lifers are backing Specter because of Santorum's and Bush's endorsements, we also found.

***Specter had recorded phone calls going into central Pa. last night, with the voice of President Bush (likely from last Monday's rally in Pittsburgh) expressing his full support for Specter. Specter has spent his last $5 on get-out-the-vote efforts. The Philadelphia Inquirer carried the headline about the race above the fold on page A-1.

***A good source has spoken to folks at seven polling places. None of them had Specter workers present.

[Petronski]

Oh well. I can't find what line in the article you reference, and it doesn't really matter.

[OneTimeLurker]

When can we expect to hear results?

[Petronski]

Many pro-lifers are backing Specter because of Santorum's and Bush's endorsements, we also found.

Man, do I need some sleep.

At least I did eventually find it. ;O)

[oldironsides]

I am listening to Dom Giordano on 1210 am in Philly. I am listening to calls from people that are very conflicted over the senate vote. The fear factor of losing a long time senate force enters into it. I cannot believe these people
feel the need to keep a politician for decades. Yeeeesh

[ken5050]

Are you gonna stay awake for the PA returns?

[Shooter 2.5]

You're correct. A higher turnout would be a better example of what to expect in November.

I hope Toomey's supporters are fully aware of how hard it's going to be to keep the Senate seat. They better work as hard to defeat the dem challenger as they are to upset Specter.

[Petronski]

When can we expect to hear results?

Urban areas come in early (voting machines). In my part of the 'T' we vote on paper by filling in little ovals with a pencil. That can take a few hours to count and report. We could know as soon as 8:30 but probably no later than 10 or 11.

[Tribune7]

politicspa.com

Most of the stuff has been posted on FR, but if you want to check it yourself.

[Petronski]

Are you gonna stay awake for the PA returns?

While I am a little muddy-headed, I wouldn't be able to sleep without knowing. I'm here until I see a concession speech.

[ken5050]

any talk about the two GOP House priaries?

[Tribune7]

with turnout as light as it appears it shouldn't be a late night.

[Petronski]

I think Paterno is expected to win in Happy Valley. (no football jokes, please)

[threat matrix]

Good post, Josh here are the numbers from Politics PA.com

Turnout projections:

Allegheny County 22%

Cumberland County 33%

Dauphin County 33%

Lancaster County 30%

Phildelphia 21%

Montgomery County 27%

[Strider]

I just voted for Toomey.

There were only three other people there.

[BOBWADE]

I wonder the same thing. We would almost be better off with a Democrat in there that him. At least the judicial committee would still have a mojority of republicans instead of Specter and his fellow liberals.

[TOUGH STOUGH]

I voted for Toomey and voter turnout in my district was considered light.

This sounds like Good News. Fingers crossed.

[Sun]

I am pro-life and it is my litmus test. HOWEVER, I am also conservative on most issues.
Toomey is conservative!
Specter is liberal!
It's just that simple.

Even if we did not have the disgusting legal abortion, we STILL need to get rid of RINOs. We are losing the Republican Party, folks.

[D Rider]

Can PA pro-lifers be that gullible?

Yes they can. I remember conservative christians voting for Carter because he said he was BORN AGAIN!

[Vision]

Go Toomey Go!!!

[ambrose]

Specter is a moderate, not a liberal.

Specter's lifetime ACU rating is 43... Zell Miller's is 65.

Ted Kennedy's rating is 3.


Specter is a moderate.