[Fzob]

In a fantastic election season, this will be deemed the most serious misjudgment the GOP made. I agree, If Pennsylvania will elect Santorum, they would have elected Toomey.

[Flux Capacitor]

----I agree, If Pennsylvania will elect Santorum, they would have elected Toomey.----

Pennsylvania also elected Ed Rendell. And voted to elect John Kerry. Specter is popular in Pennsylvania for some damn reason; I think the White House had to make a choice between keeping the seat in GOP hands, and trading Specter for a guy who would have voted against Bush's nominees and policies 100% of the time.

-Dan

[NittanyLion]

Kerry---- 2,883,833-51%
Hoeffel---2,295,305-42%

Bush-----2,756,361-49%
Specter--2,890,818-53%
Clymer-----216,930-4%

Note the following:

1. Hoeffel received almost 600,000 fewer votes than Kerry. Does he suddenly receive these votes if he runs against Toomey as opposed to Specter?

2. Assume Specter votes less Bush votes are Demo crossover voters for Specter (134K) that would've gone for Hoeffel, but also assume Clymer voters (216K) go for Toomey. The result is a modest Toomey win.

IMHO, the numbers show Toomey would've had an advantage in the race.