John Baer: Is it time for Arlen to rejoin Democrats?

Philadelphia Daily News ^ | 3/4/09 | John Baer

[HANG THE EXPENSE]

Now youre talking.

[Big E]

“Can Toomey win in general vs. liberal rat?”

Yes, I think he could. In 2004, the Dems ran, Joe Hoeffel, I believe, a little known undistinguished hack Congressman from Montgomery County. Probably because they didn’t want to waste a strong candidate against Specter. Had Toomey pulled the upset, he probably would have beaten Hoeffel.

If Toomey knocks off Specter in the primary, he could definitely win in the general. 2010 could be a conservative year, after 2 years of Marxist Obama.

Of course, there’s a good chance Specter will run as a Democrat, where he would be tougher to beat. Or, he might run as a Republican, lose, and then run in the general as an Independent, like Lieberman. Any way you look at it, the odds are stacked against Toomey, but at least I’d have somebody I could support without needing to take a shower.

[Jim Pelosi]

The real question is why should ANYBODY be in the senate for 30 years?
Jim

[montanajoe]

I don't think he will jump to the Dims. More likely to lose in the primary and then run as an independent.

[reefdiver]

exactly

[madinmadtown]

I absolutely agree that no one should be in the Senate for thirty years.
If Specter doesn't leave the GOP, I think that the GOP should dump him. Seriously. It would be far more beneficial to the RNC to kick him out, than to have him switch sides. If he does it by his own accord, it appears that he has seen the light and become a Dem.
If the GOP were to kick him out, then it would mean for the first time that the GOP has grown a pair and actually stands for something rather than just being a bunch of mealy mouse get-a-long types.
And while the GOP was at it, they could give the two ladies from Maine their walking papers as well.

[oldironsides]

Toomey can win. I hate to say it but he has to stay away from the abortion fight and stick with what Specter is doing now in Washington. Hammer the billions in spending so much that Specter is buried.

[newfreep]

Let's hope Toomey can win primary & general. If so, it would certainly indicate obommie is vulnerable in 2012.

[Retired COB]

Steele needs to place a call to Arlen, Colins, and Snowe that they are on their own for fundraising.

That might be the reasonable thing to do, but Steele is also a liberal. He'll tap dance around this issue.

[Born Conservative]

I don’t expect very much in the way of leadership from Steele.

[Big E]

You are absolutely right about the abortion. I live in PA, and many people around here are turned off by the “family values” preachiness of some GOP candidates. I think that’s a big reason why Santorum was flushed. Toomey should be able to capitalize on the “change” theme, although this time for the good. Things have gone to hell in the last 20 years, and who’s been there through it all? Arlen Specter.