Badray,
I have read through most of this thread, and I can see that you are pretty much set on this course of action.
Before I jump into this debate, here is some background info on Hoeffel that you might find useful.
I understand fully that you recognize that Hoeffel is a Socialist, but are you really ready to give your vote of approval to the following positions embraced by Hoeffel and his supporters?
Are you aware that Hoeffel voted against H.R. 1794: "American Servicemembers Protection Act", is an amendment to a State Department appropriations bill that was written to protect our men and women on active duty from international courts? Hoeffel voted against it.
Are you aware that Mr. Hoeffel has repeatedly stated that he opposes free trade? That he supports socialized medicine? That he opposes timbering, lumbering or thinning for fire control?
Are you aware of Hoeffel's standing on various liberal/conservative positions?
NARAL PA is just thrilled with Hoeffel's anti-baby, pro-choice voting record and has awarded him a pro-choice rating of 100%. (Santoram gets a 20% rating and Specter gets a 90% rating.) http://www.naralpa.org/Congrec1.html
Are you aware of the fact that Mr. Hoeffel is radically anti-2nd amendment? The Brady Campaign gleefully rates Hoeffel at 100% for supporting Gun Control, while Specter's rating is just 14%.
http://www.bradycampaign.org/facts/scorecard/scorecard.php?indh=343 Hoeffel
http://www.bradycampaign.org/facts/scorecard/scorecard.php?inds=76 Specter
Vote Smart has a well-organized issue vote report card: http://www.vote-smart.org/voting_category.php?can_id=BC031551
HRRMMMPH! How dare you ask me any questions or doubt me? ;-)
How are you? I was hoping that you'd weigh in because you are always thoughtful. Besides, you're part of WHACPACSACPAC.
No, I didn't look fully into his record. I looked at his website and at a few other group ratings which means that I would never support someone like this under ordinary circumstances. But these aren't ordinary circumstances. We have a unique opportunity to forever remove one major obstacle to Republican governance if we dare act boldly and decisively in November.
As to the votes you mention, did they pass? These guys always throw things up against the wall in the hope that something will stick. It's horrible stuff usually, but it goes nowhere.
What is good about it is that it *can* (but doesn't necessarily) reveal exactly where some closet libs stand. I say *can* because some will hide their true beliefs by not voting for something in one of these throwaway votes that they would vote for if they thought that it could pass. This gives them cover to say 'Look, I voted against SB xxx.' Is that too much rambling to be understandable? Is understandable a word? LOL
Along that vein, Specter (and others as well) will vote with us when it is a safe vote -- where there are no consequences for Arlen with any liberal constituencies or when he must to get conservative support to win election. For instance, if something is passing or failing overwhelmingly, it doesn't matter if he votes for or against it, so he is forgiven for voting for a conservative issue or against a liberal one and he looks no worse than an 'independent' to the uninitiated. He wins points without giving anything up. I don't believe that he will even give us that much consideration if he makes it to this next term. Our values are not his values.
So even though I've not looked as closely as you and I do take your word for it, I believe with all of my heart that we will continue to trend to the right. Hoeffel's votes will bear less and less importance as his term slips by and more and more dems lose or decide to retire because it itsn't any fun for them any more. In essence, we will see more of what we saw after the 94 takeover with the Contract for America.
What I am advocating today could be turned on it's head before election day. I could be totally wrong on my predictions and presumptions. Unlikely, but possible. ;-)
The other thing to consider is that you can look at the alternatives NOW, think about what you want to do NOW, but not take action until the last minute. It's better than a hasty and failed effort to spread the word at the last minute if it turns out that this is the best idea since sliced bread.
Hoeffel is 100% and Specter is 90%. A 10% difference. Hoeffel wins he is a junior Senator without heading the Judicial Committee that will be significant seating judges that will make major decisions on this issue. Specter ?
Am I wrong or isn't Specter also in support of the ICC ?