Specter Wins 51-49 Republican Senatorial Primary: live thread

4/27/2004 | self

[rudy45]

My apologies if a thread already exists. I did a search on "Toomey" and found nothing.

I arrived at my polling area (suburban Philadelphia) at 6:45 am to hand out palm cards. The weather is terrific this morning, but turnout (I thought) was light (I had to leave at 9:15, but will be back).

Actually, I have a good feeling about Pat.

[macrahanish #1]

Yes. Specter ran ads all the time on Fox News. I just hope people were watching Brit Hume on Monday. Ther was some talk about Toomey.

[af_vet_1981]

I'm staying home in November and I predict Bush will lose Tennessee to Kerry.

Our brethren are fighting and dying in Afghanistand and Iraq and you won't even vote to support them ...

[Quicksilver]

96% -

TOOMEY 483,626 / 49%

SPECTER 499,731 / 51%

[Political Junkie Too]

If Specter wins this, expect him to get all Scottish on our asses.

If Specter wins this, I'm expecting him to become Bush's "boy toy."

-PJ

[Dane]

Why couldn't he just stay the hell out, as he did with the NJ race and VA gov race in 2002?

Becuase in those races, no incumbant was running.

here is some historical perspective from a recent William Buckley artricle. Thought I would post this before some go reflexively head spinning knee jerk.

... The presidential endorsement is, after all, political dutifulness. Memory recalls a huge rally of conservatives at Garden City, Long Island, in 1962. The speaker was their hero, Sen. Barry Goldwater, whose nomination for president was the heart's desire of the 2,000 persons present. The enemy, in those days, was Sen. Jacob Javits, resented routinely because he was a political liberal, but despised because he was a Republican. There is no fury like that felt by the priestly caste against impostors. Everyone was waiting to hear the answer to the question: Senator Goldwater, do you endorse the re-election of Senator Javits?

"Yes." Stunned silence. Then: "I am chairman of the Republican senatorial campaign committee. Who do you think I favor?..."

LINK

[antaresequity]

no crap...

Nights like these I want to send GW to the friggin woodpile...

Damn it

[scarface367]

I'd have to say yes, but only if there is a "seat to give". Spector as the head of the Judiciary Committee would be to much of an obstacle to getting judges on the bench.

[montag813]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

YEP. IT'S OVER!

THE MAN WHO BETRAYED RONALD REAGAN ON BORK WINS

WITH THE HELP OF CORRUPT UNIONS, DEMOCRAT OFFICALS,

AND NONE OTHER THAN GEORGE W. BUSH.

MEGA G.O.P. BARF ALERT!

[Qwinn]

"I'm confused. What good does this do us if it's the Dems who are pulling this out? We'll lose the seat, even this liberal seat, to a Dem in November. Is that what you want or am I getting something wrong here?"

Well, I don't know that I said anything about anything being "good"... but since you did ask a good question, I'll answer, since I -would- rather Specter lose to the Dem actually.

Why? Cause Specter has seniority in the Senate. That means he'll very likely get the Senate Judiciary Chair. That chair is critical, and Specter has a horrible record in terms of supporting conservative judges (except for one, Clarence Thomas). If a Dem beats Specter in November, he'll be a junior member, and a more conservative senior Republican will get the Senate Judiciary Chair. I'd rather have that scenario with a 52-48 lead in the Senate, rather than a 53-47 lead and Specter having the biggest single voice in the Senate regarding appointing judges.

Qwinn

[Tribune7]

According to the county website Toomey won Lancaster by 8,000 votes (57 percent)

[FreeReign]

Why are Republicans such wimps

Why are the Pennsylvania voters in this primary such wimps?

[pittsburgh gop guy]

No, it's over. Was a great fight, and much, MUCH, closer than anyone would have thought it would be.

Specter learns nothing from the close victory. WPVI-6 Philly interviewed a witch from Republican Choice Coalition a little while ago, talking about how social conservatives have ruined the party. I just wish us social conservatives had REALLY ruined Specter's "victory" party tonight by making Toomey the winner - but the GOP in Montco, Bucks, and the rest of SE PA, well, the GOP just sucks there. They can't win anything.

BUT - let's all kiss and make up. I think Specter will beat Hoeffel in November, and that Bush SHOULD win PA.

[free2freep]

AND NONE OTHER THAN GEORGE W. BUSH

Yup. Bush and Santorum saved Specter's behind.

[Antoninus]

I'm asking myself, if we have a "seat to give" in the Senate, is it worth it to give up Specter's seat in order to keep him from being the chair of the Judiciary Committee?

Well assuming Specter wins, I for one won't be voting for Mr. Pro-Death in November. No way, no how. I won't vote for Joe the Red Hoeffel either. A choice between a liberal and a RINO is no choice at all. Third party, here I come. Too bad....

[MNJohnnie]

BUT - let's all kiss and make up. I think Specter will beat Hoeffel in November, and that Bush SHOULD win PA.

You are right. So what is next for Toomey?

[LenS]

What precincts came in that last bunch? That was a pretty big jump for Specter, especially this late in the count.

[ConservativeMan55]

hmmmmmmm

[Political Junkie Too]

Just be careful about throwing out the baby with the bath water. There is still something about losing the battle, winning the war to consider.

-PJ

[wardaddy]

My condolences to all fine social conservatives up in PA, ya'll put up a helluva effort!