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.
There's no guarantee that the GOP will retain the Senate if Specter wins. Specter votes with RATS - Yeah I know it's an election year and he suddenly morphed into a conservative - but it's important to flush out these backstabbing RINOs like Specter, McCain, Snowe, Hatch, etc. who'll impede Bush's next term.
Besides, it's better if Hoeffel wins if he faces Specter in the general. At least Specter won't get his grimy hands on the Supremes.
Reuter cleanup in aisle one!
"Specter, a four-term RINO senator from Pennsylvania and one of the last of the Senate's moderate extremely liberal Republicans..."
There, that's better.
Oh, and bye-bye Mr. Scottish-Law Argyle McSphincter, it has been "Not Proven" that you are worth more than a Daschole-Democrat.
I just returned from proudly casting my vote for Toomey. I hope my predictions prove incorrect and Toomey wins. It will be absolutley sickening to witness Specter's fifth senatorial victory, especially knowing he won most of his endorsements through threats, intimidation, back room deals, exploitation, quid pro quos, and outright lying.
Specter is nothing but a backstabbing democrat in Republican clothing and two of his closest political PA pals are ED Rendell and Lynne Abraham. I could easily fall asleep at night attempting to count the reasons NOT to vote for him. And at this point there isn't a single good reason to vote for him.
I was split too but the words "guilty but not proven" kept ringing in my ears. This was my chance to pay Specter back for Clinton and Bork.