Sen. Specter Faces Tough Challenge in Pennsylvania

I don't want to lose the Senate. I'm split here.

1 posted on 04/27/2004 12:15:12 PM PDT by jmstein7

Arlen Specter would not be a loss. If the Republican Party needs him to keep control it is not worth keeping.

2 posted on 04/27/2004 12:17:32 PM PDT by Honestfreedom

I don't want to lose the Senate. I'm split here.

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How the hell are we losing the senate if Toomey wins?

CONSERVATIVE Rick Santorum defeated an incumbant Democrat to win his seat.

Why in the hell can't Toomey beat a unknown Democrat.

This is one of the most repeated asinine statements made over the past several weeks. It's totally without basis.

3 posted on 04/27/2004 12:20:26 PM PDT by Josh in PA

To: Honestfreedom

No way... never. I'd rather control the legislative calander (and the Judiciary Committee) and have a RINO nutcase on my hands than lose control of everything and have a true liberal Democrat in the Senate to boot.

4 posted on 04/27/2004 12:20:31 PM PDT by jmstein7 (Real Men Don't Need Chunks of Government Metal on Their Chests to be Heroes)

The fate of Brett Schundler (whom I had high hopes for) makes me nervous.

Toomey will really have to get his act together if he wants to win statewide. In its current state, his campaign would be in statewide trouble.

5 posted on 04/27/2004 12:21:59 PM PDT by jmstein7 (Real Men Don't Need Chunks of Government Metal on Their Chests to be Heroes)

But pectre voted against Robert Bork, one of the most brilliant candidates to be put up in the last three decades! That vote poisoned the well, and pres's have been afraid to put up well-spoken, published Constitutional conservatives for the SC. And Spectre's already let it be known he wouldn't nec be inclined to favor Bush's nominations.

He's an enemy with an R. We're well rid of him.

Dan

6 posted on 04/27/2004 12:23:24 PM PDT by BibChr ("...behold, they have rejected the word of the LORD, so what wisdom is in them?" [Jer. 8:9])

SUPPORT TOOMEY!

Your profile mensions Kerry is an ultra-liberal. Well, they did a study and found that Scottish Law Specter voted with Kerry 75% of the time on the issues that the Republican National Committee bashed Kerry for being "outside the mainstream on". And they claim Specter is a good Republican now?? Since Specter is clearly NOT conservative, his whole argument for renomination (other than ad hominem attacks on Pat Toomey) is that as a "centrist" incumbent he can carry votes in a "swing state", plus he has the "advantage" of long-time incumbency.

This is a foolhardy bogus assumption, and similar to the case that was made for then Senator Bill Roth of Delaware in 2000. Roth, like Specter, was a dull "centrist" in his 70s seeking a fifth term in a "swing" state. When Delaware Republicans went with the "default" choice and renominated him, they suffered a crushing defeat in November and lost a normally "safe" Republican seat that is now being held by Senator Tom Carper (D-DE).

Even if Arlen Specter manages to win re-election (unlikely when Mr. "Electablity" got a whooping 49% of the vote when he last faced an visible opponent in 1992), he will be replaced by a liberal Democrat appointed by Gov. Rendell if can't serve out his term to 2010. By that time, Specter will be over 80 years old. Is this what Pennsylvania Republicans want?

It's clear that Pat Toomey would be a much better stand bearer for the GOP. He has the charisma, energy, and credibility Specter sorely lacks. My state is hardly a bastion of hardcore Republicanism, yet it elected Peter Fitzgerald by a decisive margin. New York state is no one's idea of a GOP stronghold, yet conservative Al D'Amato was elected U.S. Senate on multiple occasions. If conservatives can't win in "swing" states, how the heck did Senator Santorum have repeated victories there even when the state was going to Gore by a safe margin?

I have no dog in this fight since I do not live in Pennsylvania. The only reason I strongly favor Toomey is I am sick of liberal Republicans getting elected by scare tactics. GOP voters, look at the facts. Arlen Specter is the only liberal Republican in the U.S. Senate from outside New England. Unless you want someone who's to the LEFT of RAT Congressman like Mike Michaud (D-MAINE) to "represent" Republicans, it's time to send Arlen Specter packing.

7 posted on 04/27/2004 12:24:40 PM PDT by BillyBoy (Geroge Ryan deserves a long term...without parole.)

That's a scare tactic.

8 posted on 04/27/2004 12:26:39 PM PDT by Bikers4Bush (Flood waters rising, heading for more conservative ground. Go Toomey Go!!!)

To send a message to the other RINO's that their seat could be next is worth it.

9 posted on 04/27/2004 12:29:14 PM PDT by Nateman (Socialism first, cancer second.)

I just Voted for Toomey..... A_Specter has to go...

10 posted on 04/27/2004 12:37:07 PM PDT by philly-d-kidder (first I voted for kerry than I voted against him!!)

Tom Daschle and the Democrats are already blocking judicial confirmations because RINOs refuse to put a stop to it.

I would hate to see a SCOTUS vacancy with a Democratic senate, but they would at least have to go on record voting against a nominee rather than silently blocking the vote. Clarenc Thomas was confirmed with a Democratic majority. Bill Clinton wasn't removed by a Republican majority.

11 posted on 04/27/2004 12:38:21 PM PDT by RagingBull

To: Honestfreedom

-"Arlen Specter would not be a loss. If the Republican Party needs him to keep control it is not worth keeping."

I agree!

I lived in PA for 20 years, and Specter's philosophy is a 'cancer' on the GOP conservative body politic. I would much carve out this cancer and give up a RINO senate seat to the RATS, than have this RINO taking over the Judiciary Chairmanship as a Republican.

12 posted on 04/27/2004 12:48:05 PM PDT by LibFreeUSA

I just voted for Toomey. I hope it helps him!

13 posted on 04/27/2004 12:51:11 PM PDT by aviator (Armored Pest Control)

To: philly-d-kidder

-"I just Voted for Toomey..... A_Specter has to go..."

Way to go!

I hope this Specter dude goes down in flames - 30 yrs in the Senate (I don't care WHO it is), is way too long to give any one person. Arrogance and overblown personal ego is a byprduct of such a duration, not to mention a walking RINO as well.

14 posted on 04/27/2004 12:52:05 PM PDT by LibFreeUSA

We lose if Specter wins. He will Chair the Judiciary committee if he wins. Look at how he votes now. Imagine a lame duck specter. We conservatives love zell miller, right? Imagine a liberal and vindictive zell and you have arlen.

We do not control the senate as it is because of him. I hope penn tosses him out on his butt. I think Bush can take the state no matter who wins in the general. Arlen must go.

15 posted on 04/27/2004 1:02:02 PM PDT by Truth Table

If Toomey wins, my take is that the RNC will pump quite a bit of money into his campaign. What we cannot afford is a lame duck specter (He is not going to run again IMHO) charing the Judiciary Committee. Without anyone to hold his feet to the fire he will screw conservatives.

I hope he loses.

16 posted on 04/27/2004 1:10:24 PM PDT by Truth Table

Are there any exit polls yet?

17 posted on 04/27/2004 1:12:00 PM PDT by jmstein7 (Real Men Don't Need Chunks of Government Metal on Their Chests to be Heroes)

I saw Judge Bork last Sunday at Mass in Stamford CT (Red Mass for laywers & judges).

18 posted on 04/27/2004 1:12:42 PM PDT by 1stFreedom

If Santorum won against encumbent Harris Wofford, then Toomey can win against Hoeffel, who is not an encumbent Senator and also not very likable.

19 posted on 04/27/2004 1:13:53 PM PDT by TOUGH STOUGH (A vote for president Bush IS a vote for principle.)

I saw Judge Bork last Sunday at Mass in Stamford CT (Red Mass for laywers & judges).

20 posted on 04/27/2004 1:13:57 PM PDT by 1stFreedom

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