Democrats may play hardball in Pennsylvania (Chris Matthews could run for Senate)

latimes.com ^ | November 26, 2008 | Josh Drobnyk

[Free ThinkerNY]

Reporting from Washington -- The Northeast's dwindling cast of Senate Republicans has Democrats circling Arlen Specter's seat in Pennsylvania, convinced the party is well-positioned to make a competitive race out of the 2010 election.

Leading the pack of prospects -- at least in celebrity -- is Chris Matthews, the MSNBC "Hardball" host and a former Capitol Hill Democratic staffer. The Philadelphia native has been toying with a run for months, and this week he sat down with state Democrats to discuss the prospect of taking on the five-term GOP senator.

Others considered in the mix include Rep. Joe Sestak, who is sitting on $3 million in campaign funds; state Rep. Josh Shapiro; and U.S. Rep. Allyson Y. Schwartz, a two-term Philadelphia area lawmaker who has moved up quickly on the Hill and has a Rolodex full of prospective donors from her unsuccessful 2000 Senate run. "We'll see," she said about a repeat bid.

"There are a lot of compelling reasons why serious Democrats would aspire to run in 2010," said Pennsylvania Democratic Party Chairman T.J. Rooney, who said Matthews had been in Pennsylvania Monday meeting with other Democratic leaders.

[Canedawg]

Apparently all it takes to win elections in PA is to insult the residents.

[kbennkc]

With Biden gone there will be a vacancy for the honorary position of the stupidist man in the Senate .

[AngelesCrestHighway]

Leading the pack of prospects — at least in celebrity — is Chris Matthews, the MSNBC “Hardball” host and a former Capitol Hill Democratic staffer.....

Gag!....

[SERKIT]

Since he has now overtly (over the top) defined his desire to stop reporting on politicians and trying to become one, he needs to resign.

In the middle of an interview with a pol, is he gonna ask on camera, "You think I could do your job? Should I run for office? Enough about YOU, let's talk about ME!"

[Westbrook]

Yes, just what the senate needs, another media dress-up clown, like Franken-stein.

[WaterBoard]

I thought pompous windbag, lawyer to hippy murderers, Senator Arlen Specter was a Democrat?

[Vigilanteman]

With Biden gone there will be a vacancy for the honorary position of the stupidist man in the Senate .

Sherrod Brown of Ohio would certainly have a strong claim to that honor. If Al Franken manages to steal Minnesota, then he can win back that honor for the state when Mark Dayton retired.

I can tell you that Arlen is running hard for re-election. If Pat Toomey is interested, there could be a real contest for the nomination.

Arlen may be a RINO, but he at least has the brains to nominally do the job. Something which cannot be said about Chris Matthews or Bob Casey, Jr.

[DemforBush]

"Others considered in the mix include Rep. Joe Sestak..."

.

.

Oh wait, that's Rep. Sleestak

[twigs]

I almost agree. Specter drives me crazy, but he’s intelligent and many, many times, ends up on the right side after driving conservatives crazy. All in all, I’ve decided over the years that he’s ok for the most part. Not as good as Santorum, who was a great senator, but I’ll keep Specter without too much grumbling.

[Dr. Scarpetta]

Apparently all it takes to win elections in PA is to insult the residents.

I live in PA, and democrats are in control of most things here. Chris Matthews can win IMO...

[Daveinyork]

Specter or Matthews, what a choice.

[Welcome2thejungle]

I’m getting a tingly feeling down my spine at the mere thought of Joseph Goebbels Jr. getting elected to the senate.

If Al Franken gets in there, that’ll be a new low in that once august body.

Well, Caligula made his horse a senator.

We just have a lot of horses asses in there now.

[AngelesCrestHighway]

Matthews gives me a tingly feeling to drop a duece.....

[Vigilanteman]

Specter is probably about as good as a senator as Pennsylvania deserves when you throw in the 110% turnout. However, 2010 could be an entirely diffent ballgame, depending on how badly Oba Mao mismanages the economy. Voters have short memories. It will be hard to blame Bush by 2010. Plus it is not a presidential election year. Further, few of the illegal aliens which Oba Mao and McCain are likely to legalize are even less likely to move to a cold weather rust belt state like Pennsylvania.

Even though we don't suck near as badly as Michigan.

Hey! Wouldn't that make a great state slogan?

Pennsylvania: We don't suck as badly as Michigan!

[skully]

Chrissy Tingly Leg, won’t beat Specter. Arlen the RINO is more liberal then Chrissy.

[Dahoser]

Let me say it again: Spector, aside from being a clymer of the highest order, will be 80 years old in 2010! It’s long past time for him to go home and if the RNC can’t make that happen, there’s no point in bothering with much else.

[haircutter]

must agree with you...

Spector also has serious health issues..and 80 yrs old is time to hang it up and get fresh new blood. Spector has a son that is like Bidens son,,waiting for the job, sorta heir in waiting....

I live here in Southwestern PA. and we are over run by liberals...time to change this state...