Posted on 02/12/2009 11:04:08 PM PST by malkee
With the $789 billion economic stimulus package he helped broker set for a vote in the U.S. House and Senate, Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., phoned home Thursday to unhappy members of the Pennsylvania State Republican Committee.
The conference call was initiated by Specter, his office said. It was a "conversation" to explain his thinking for backing the spending plan that Democrats hope will deliver jobs for the tanking U.S. economy.
But a growing chorus of Pennsylvania state Republican officials say their faith in Specter is irretrievably broken.
And some are vowing to defeat Specter in the Republican primary in 2010.
"It's clear we need a conservative senator who can do the right thing for America," said Glen Meakem, a conservative talk show host in Pennsylvania.
"It's over for Arlen. He would do best to retire gracefully," he said, adding that party leaders across the state have intensified talks about a primary challenge against Specter.
The old GOP adage that it is better to have Specter in the Senate than a Democrat apparently no longer holds true.
Some Pennsylvania Republican officials are so eager to drum up a legitimate opponent to run against Specter, they've started a wish list that includes two prominent Republicans who've said they're exploring a run -- for governor.
Jim Roddy, chairman of the Allegheny County Republican Committee, suggested two names: Pat Toomey and U.S. Rep. Jim Gerlach, R-Chester Springs.
Take it easy there... remember, it's he who laughs LAST that laughs best.
All the putz has to do is change parties, and then he can target his OWN seat.
Hey, it's not like he hasn't threatened to turncoat in the past. IIRC, the only reason he didn't the last time was because Jeffords leapfrogged his sorry ass, stole his thunder, and mooted any Grand Welcome he'd obtain from the Democrat wing of The Political Party.
I heard the home purchase tax credit was reduced to $8k from $15k
And what happened to Rick again?
These people are arrogant Washingtonians. They have to be forced out. They are nothing but power hungry elites, too cowardly to have conservative principles!
Every other republican should be on their case night and day, shun them publicly, strip them of any power they may have within the party, and then force them out of office in the primaries!
Specter, Rendell Offer Post-Election Perspectives (Palin Not Future Of Party)
Rendell, Specter say Palin hurt McCain's chances
Specter must be desperate to cover his own sorry hide since his staff also called Melanie Morgan and said that he wanted to talk to her after she and Jim stormed his office on Monday.
One Ringy Dingy, Two Ringy Dingy's, Three ...(Mel Morgan, Specter, Jim Robinson FollowUp)
This is a pattern with Snarlin' Arlen. He'll promise to be a good Republican, then vote with the Dems. Then he gets in trouble and promises to do the right thing, then he votes with the Dems. Time to tar and feather this turncoat and ride him out of town on a rail.
so true..
I wish schweiker would run... heard a peep from Lynne Swann?
ut his worthless RINO ass off. Strip him of any committee rankings. Pull his RNC funding. Same for Snowe and Collins. Voting for this Porkulus bill is treasonous.
Ain’t gonna happen.
He’s already bought and paid for.
Plus his hates the republicn party.
But he loves the limelight.
Like to see him assume room temperature real soon.
The result is the same except the Republican candidate is using Republican money and Conservative support to get into office so he can betray them.
I think in that case I would rather have the Donkey representing the voters than a RINO.
Personally, I think Specter’s elevator doesn’t go all the way to the top. But if anyone thinks he is anything but a democrat at heart, they are deluded.
There is nothing ‘Republican’ about Specter, Collins or Snowe. Their support for this socialist agenda porkulus proves they have nothing in common with the GOP and have betrayed fundamentals of what Republicans stand for and sign up to betray this country with the fascists trying to deflect attention and have token ‘Republican’ support. They really have shown themselves so far left that they don’t deserve to be included anymore. Let them take bringing this country down to their own graves.
LOL! You are either not reading or are trolling.
Do you really want conservatives to remain a minority or are you just trying to get a reaction?
After this country has been raped pillaged and looted into the worst economic crisis since the 1930s, despite having Republicans run both houses of Congress and the presidency, are you still making that lame-ass argument?
A majority of Democrats means the country turns into a s***hole, everyone realizes what the problem is and we fix it.
A coalition of a minority of Democrats and a few RINOs means that the country turns into a s***hole, the Republicans get blamed, and the nation elects a super-majority of the same anti-American, socialists who got us into the mess in the first place, until there’s nothing left worth fighting about.
For God’s sake, how god-awful terrible does the nightmare have to be for you to stop spouting this inane drivel?
That may have held true when the Republicans were in the majority, but now the party is so far into the minority that the potential loss of a seat does not outweigh the need to rebuild the party along more conservative lines. It's past Arlen's bedtime. He should retire in dignity or be bounced in the primary, his choice.
Jim Gerlach is a good egg. I’d like to see him as Governor.
Ok. In your scenario, what would you say to Arlen Specter to bring him along with the conservative cause while he remains a moderate? How would you, in your best Reaganesque fashion, show him conservative principles are best?
I'll hang up and listen.
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