Posted on 04/15/2009 6:00:41 AM PDT by Zakeet
Conservative Pat Toomey, a former Lehigh Valley congressman, this morning announced he is running for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate in the 2010 election in a videotaped message on his new campaign website, saying the nation is at a "crossroads" between a greatly expanding federal government and the direction of more economic freedom.
The move sets up a much-anticipated rematch with moderate Sen. Arlen Specter (R., Pa.) who earned a fifth term in 2004 after defeating a challenge from Toomey by about 17,000 votes out of more than 1 million cast. Their race will feature a key debate among Republicans: Did their party lose power because it stopped appealing to moderates, or because it was not true to conservative principles?
"We can stop the bailouts and the spending stampede; we can reduce the burdens on taxpayers; and we can unlock the ingenuity and job creation potential of our great nation once again," Toomey said in his remarks. "I am running for the U.S. Senate because I believe the economic stakes for our country have never been higher. The people of Pennsylvania deserve the very best from their leaders in Washington – but that's not what they are receiving."
Toomey, 47, was exploring a campaign for governor until an outpouring of anger among the GOP's conservative base greeted Specter's critical vote for the Democrats' economic stimulus in February. Polls showed that a majority of Republicans surveyed said it was time for someone new in the seat.
(Excerpt) Read more at philly.com ...
The National Republican Committee’s decision to back Specter in the last election is the reason that I no longer contribute on the national level. I am extremely disappointed in Cornyn’s decision to back this Rino again. I see no difference in having Specter or a Democrat in the Senate. They will both vote the same way.
Wrong, the GOP announced yesterday, posted here on FR, that they were backing the scum bag. Bush isn't of course but only because he is no longer viable.
Flush Sphincter!
Realistically, we can’t have the Republican Party be defined by Arlen Specter anymore.
He needs to go for better or worse.
When the “Progressive Conservative” Party in Canada went too far left, some Canadians started the Reform Party and had to watch the Liberal Party dominate for more than a decade until a new “Conservative Party” was formed.
At least this little fight is still inside the Republican Party.
But let me tell you this.
All these Republicans who voted NO on the stimulus bill a few months ago while Arlen Specter voted YES had better have their butts behind Toomey.
If they choose to support Arlen Specter for re-election those Republican members of Congress are just a bunch of bulls*** liars.
I no longer contribute for that reason as well. Since then I have given to “the Club for Growth”, which Toomey has headed. The National Republican Committee has zero credibility and will continue to marginalize the party if they keep backing liberal Repubs.
However, he has ignored key constituencies in the past. Not only has he failed to address the problems of the departed, he seems to be oblivious to the needs of the virtual, computer-created voters and their numerous family members, the registered illegal aliens, and even the heart-rending cries of legal, but non-citizen residents who must be rewarded for their yeoman work at the polls.
Neither will Toomey support the transportation needs of Philadelphia's earnest African-American Church-Goers, who, after a hearty breakfast and having already submitted their absentee ballots, properly filled-in by their Community Organizers and pastors, must endure arduous van rides to the many precincts in which they have been registered. Toomey should campaign for taxicab vouchers, in addition to the street money they will receive upon reporting back to the church hall.
But Toomey just doesn't care ... Philadelphia and the other urban areas in Murthaland will return the favor ... in spades!
uhggghhh, the Dumb GOPers never learn. They need to dumb SPECTER and make a huge deal about it.
My donations will go to people like him. I want Specter out and I refuse to donate a dime to the RNC as long as Steele is there.
National GOP to Back Specter ??
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2229101/posts
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That’s why I told them to NEVER ask me for money again because they aren’t getting any.
We're all "right-wing kooks" now. This might help Pat Toomey, even in PA.
Yea, go Pat go!!!
Benedict Arlen
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