Badray, I agree Spectre is reprehensible, but voting for him at this point is the best hope we have. He'll at least support the Republicans on some issues, whereas a Democrat would vote for their party line. Frankly, I have zero confidence in Bush or the Republican leaders, much less Spectre, at this point. Bush is no conservative, in my opinion, and the Republican "leadership" isn't any better, but what else can we do? A vote for a third-party candidate is as good as not voting at all, and Democrats are too busy supporting baby killers and homosexuality--not much chance for conservatism there!
Allow me to extend a belated welcome to FR and thank you for replying.
Specter is reprehensible. Hoeffel is worse. We all know that. My focus is strictly limited to one committee. The judiciary with Kyl in charge will help us for the next generation or more by getting good judges approved (assuming Bush nominates them). Hoeffel's bad votes in the senate will not count for as much in the general scheme of things.
Santorum's ad for Specter said that he is there for us for the votes that counts. That was pure bunkum. Don't lower taxes count? Don't gun rights count? Don't school vouchers count? The list goes on.
Specter is more likely to be with us when we don't need him than when we do. He's an accomplished vote counter and knows which way to throw his vote and when so that it benefits Arlen Specter. He is a career politician who needs to retire. Since he won't quit, I want him fired.
Citizen... here's where this whole discussion comes into clearer focus... you write:
"I agree Spectre is reprehensible, but voting for him at this point is the best hope we have. He'll at least support the Republicans on some issues, whereas a Democrat would vote for their party line"
There is no delusion that Hoeffel will vote "with us". It is a agreed that he has absolutely no redeeming qualities. None! However, and this is the key... a Hoeffel (would-be Junior Senator) victory knocks out a 24-year liberal RINO who is set to become chair of the Senate Judiciary.
As chair of SJC, with potentially 3 Supreme Court replacements in the next 4 years, Specter will have an opportunity to impact this nation for 30 years or more by blocking conservative appointments. And this doesn't even begin to address the large number of lower court appointments. If Specter is not Chair (because he loses), a very conservative (and consistent) John Kyl will ascend. And as to the commentary concerning the loss of the seat relative to keeping the majority, most analysts (even the Democrats) are expecting that the R's are actually in position to gain seats.
Finally, you further write:
"A vote for a third-party candidate is as good as not voting at all, and Democrats are too busy supporting baby killers and homosexuality--not much chance for conservatism there!"
If we vote 3rd party, that's only taking 1 vote away from Specter. If our goal is to actually remove Specter from office, a vote for Hoeffel in effect counts as 2 votes. Concerning the comment of "too busy supporting baby killers", be mindful of the fact that Specter has consistently voted pro-abortion. And he wants to take no proactive position to support traditional marriage laws in Pennsylvania.
Your thoughts are insightful... I hope you (and others) will cut well beneath the outer layer on this issue to expose the rotten core for what it really is.