Gleason: Pa. GOP may not back Specter

Pennsylvania Ave ^ | February 24, 2009 | Josh Drobnyk

[Delacon]

Pennsylvania Republican Committee Chairman Robert Gleason Jr. said in an interview today that the state party may not support Sen. Arlen Specter in the Republican primary next year -- a day after his national counterpart suggested that GOP supporters of the economic stimulus bill could take a hit in upcoming elections.

"Of course, anything is a possibility," Gleason told The Morning Call. "It is up to the committeemen and committeewomen [next February]. … But the headline should not read that the state party is not going to endorse him. He certainly could be endorsed."

Gleason said that -- right now -- he is 100 percent supportive of Specter, but he would not commit to personally backing the five-term lawmaker when committee members endorse candidates next year.

"I really can’t make that call right now. That is kind of a what-if question. I really don’t know what it is going to be like," he said. "I don’t even know if he is going to be a candidate. Who knows what is going to happen a year from now. With all this conjecture about Arlen Specter’s reelection effort … if he is a candidate, we will cross that bridge when we get there."

Specter's vote for the economic stimulus bill ruffled GOP feathers throughout the country, but particularly in Pennsylvania, where the lawmaker has always stood on shaky ground with conservatives. He eked out a challenge from former Rep. Pat Toomey in a primary in 2004.

Specter has acknowledged the potential political impact of his vote.

"My vote was cast recognizing the very substantial political peril that I face," Specter wrote in a newsletter to constituents last week. "I know that there are many on the Republican political spectrum who do not like the vote. I remember, obviously, the tough primary fight

[Delacon]

Gleason's comments came a day after Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele said that he's open to the possibility that the RNC won't help Specter and other GOP supporters of the stimulus bill in their reelection bids.

 

Contact Mr.s Gleason and Steel and let them know what you think.

 

Republican Party of Pennsylvania
717 North Second Street
Harrisburg, PA 17102
Phone (717) 234-4901
FAX (717) 231-3828
info@pagop.org

PA GOP Staff Directory:

Administration
Robert A. Gleason, Jr.
Chairman
717-234-4901 ext. 126

Office of the Chairman Michael Steele
Phone: 202-863-8700
Fax: 202-863-8820
Email: Chairman@gop.com

[pnh102]

Ugh. How spineless can someone be? Just say whether you will support him or not!

[snowrip]

Not only should they not back him, he should be tarred, feathered, and left in a muddy ditch on the outskirts of town.

[WayneS]

Well, why SHOULD they?

Clearly he is a democrat.

[Doc Savage]

Of course, “...anything is POSSIBLE!”...YOU’RE a F****** spineless GD Republican stooge! Never going to vote for these morons again! NO MONEY! No VOTE!

[Delacon]

I just hope Pat Toomey is still up for it.

[PGR88]

I just read how Spector was also one of the few Republicans who sided with Teddy Kennedy to throw judge Bork under the bus - way back in the Reagan years!

Dump him!

[ZULU]

MAY NOT??? MAY NOT????

If they can't dump this subversive piece of garbage, they should go out of business.

I guess all PA GOP leaders don't come with a complete set of testacles, a functioning spinal cord, and a complete intestinal tract.

[Skooz]

We’ve been hearing this song and dance for years, and every 6 years he’s re-elected.

[PGalt]

BUMP! BUMP! BUMP! %^!% *#*%&*!

[Stentor]

They’ll be changing their party registration in parts of Philly again. (I know people who did it.)

[Beagle8U]

You can forget Steele.

He was asked on national TV if the RNC would support the RINO slugs that voted for porkulus.

He said policy would be to support any liberal puke that the state party endorsed.

RINO Steele has basically said that there is no direction or leadership in the RNC!

[ken5050]

I wrote here last week that Arlen will cross the aisle..

[snowrip]

I’m building a list of GOP officers on a federal and state to state basis, and I’m using that list to send daily emails.

The first batch of emails that I send calls for the immediate cessation of financial support to the reelection warchests of Snowe, Collins and Specter.

If we could get people to spend two minutes (TWO MINUTES!) a day sending this type of message, we will build a grassroots wave against the traitors within our own party.

[Broker]

Sen. Spectre may OD on BOTOX soon. Big question; what did Sen. Harry Reid promise Pennsylvania for the vote? A promise that undoubtedly will be broken.

[mort56]

Party first, country second...or...maybe fourth...or maybe never.

[Oldpuppymax]

I have a feeling that fund raising might be just a little “iffy” for the Pa. republican party next year.

[Dubh_Ghlase]

but he would not commit to personally backing the five-term lawmaker...

3 terms too many...

[bt-99]

I spent hours trying to telephone Specter before the vote. i e-mailed three times. It was Tuesday that I got a response. I have e-mailed the RNC and the PA GOP that until theu publicly and loudly denounce him I will not give them any more support of any type.
I have enclosed the Senators belated response for you amusement.

Dear Mr. XXXX

Thank you for contacting me regarding the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (H.R.1, P.L. 111-5). This legislation passed the Senate 60-38 and was signed into law by the President on February 17, 2009. I appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts with me.

I supported the economic stimulus package for one simple reason: The country could not afford not to take action. The unemployment figures, the latest earnings reports and the continuing crisis in banking made it clear that failure to act would have left the United States facing a far deeper crisis in the future.

I carefully weighed the vote on the stimulus package because of the large deficit and the large national debt faced by future generations. But the economy is in a desperate situation. Just in the month of January, 2009 we lost 600,000 jobs, added to the loss of 2.8 million in 2008. There are millions of people who are having their homes foreclosed. The economists tell us that if we do not act that the current severe recession could well develop into a full-fledged depression like 1929.

The agreement we reached was the best one we could under the circumstances. We were able to cut out $100 billion from the package. My preference would have been Senator John McCain’s proposal, a $421 billion alternative focused largely on income tax reductions and business tax breaks. Unfortunately, this amendment failed 40-57. I voted for the Reagan tax cuts back in 1981 and that would be the best course, but in a legislative body it is important to be able to compromise and pass legislation, as opposed to inaction.

I was impressed with the position of the United States Chamber of Commerce which was for the bill very solidly. The Chamber is for the bill because it supports pro-growth tax initiatives. The Chamber is for the bill because it applauds the inclusion of tax relief. The Chamber is for the bill because many of the spending-side provisions in the legislation will also provide stimulus to get Americans back to work, focusing on infrastructure spending for roads, rails, public transportation, aviation, inland waterways and ports.

Many provisions of the bill affecting small businesses were based on legislation I have introduced in the 111th Congress. The Act delays the 3% withholding tax on payments to businesses that sell goods or services to governments. My bill, S.292, would repeal this withholding tax. For small businesses, the Act extends the Net Operating Loss (NOL) carryback period to five years for 2008. My bill, S.293, which I originally introduced in the 110th Congress, would extend the NOL to five years for 2008 and 2009. The Act also extends two provisions that were enacted as part of the Economic Stimulus Act of 2008, and mirror my bill, S. 294. The 50 percent bonus depreciation and the increased $250,000 limit for the Small Business Expensing Allowance are extended for an additional year.

Thank you for taking the time to bring your views on this important matter to my attention. As a United States Senator, it is essential that I be kept fully informed on the issues of concern to my constituents. Should you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact my office or visit my website at http://specter.senate.gov.

Sincerely,

Arlen Specter

[penowa]

Gleason said that -- right now -- he is 100 percent supportive of Specter, but he would not commit to personally backing the five-term lawmaker when committee members endorse candidates next year.

This from the guy who runs interference for his buddy Murtha every 2 yrs. to make certain that whoever takes him on never has the support of the Republicrat party, not to mention any $.