Profs: Vote by Specter for Stimulus Bill Smart

Times Leader ^ | 2/11/09 | Andrew M. Seder

[Dr. Scarpetta]

Strategic moves, rather than political ones, have helped U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter become the longest-serving senator in Pennsylvania history.

A conservative Republican will undoubtedly challenge Specter in the primary next year, said Keystone College political science professor Jeff Brauer.

In Brauer’s estimation, Specter’s vote was strategically sound and can be used as a future talking point about how he put the good of the economy and Pennsylvania ahead of any political party.

Tom Baldino, political science professor at Wilkes University, agreed with Brauer that the vote was “a very smart thing to do.”

Brauer said Democratic gains have been made in leaps and bounds in Pennsylvania the past few years, as they hold the governor’s mansion, the state House and one U.S. Senate seat.

He said Democratic candidates should be chomping at the bit at the prospect of facing a Republican in Pennsylvania next year.

But thanks to Specter’s moderate voting record, his pro-choice stance and his success in bringing home millions upon millions of dollars to Pennsylvania, Specter has always been able to siphon votes from Democrats and secure those of moderate Republicans.

[penowa]

"His vote is actually very stupid because he will have to spend all his resources fighting a difficult primary battle only to lose to the Democrat."

I would bet that he will have a Democrat challenger that nobody ever heard of that has no backing from the Democrat party, and no $. That's the deal Specter negotiated with the Democrats to get his vote for the "Porkulus." Meanwhile, the unions will run all over PA getting Democrats to switch parties to vote for him in the primary and he'll be rolling in Democrat and Republicrat $. There is NO Republican party in PA, only ONE party with two names.

This worked well for Specter in his last election and this time, even Toomey doesn't want to take him on, so conservatives will be lucky to find an underfunded candidate to oppose him in the primary.

The prof is correct. Cutting a deal to vote for this disaster guarantees Specter another term in the Senate with the help of the Democrats.

[Dr. Scarpetta]

This worked well for Specter in his last election and this time, even Toomey doesn't want to take him on, so conservatives will be lucky to find an underfunded candidate to oppose him in the primary.

You're probably right...