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.
Translation: Arlen was just fine until the phones started melting from expressed rage and I now fear for my coveted career as a politician.
Psst. If it’s McLame, Spincter and Snowjob, ya gotta go with Colons. Can we call this bill the Colons-Sphincter Snowjob?
Ronald Reagan refuted your position long ago. Selling out conservative principles is a LOSING strategy.
"We don't intend to turn the Republican Party over to the traitors in the battle just ended. We will have no more of those candidates who are pledged to the same goals as our opposition and who seek our support. Turning the Party over to the so-called moderates wouldn’t make any sense at all." -- Ronald Reagan, 1965
That we did. Yet the "moderates" will stab conservatives in the back every chance they get.
Ditto.
Sure he is. Hey Arlen are you the tiniest bit superstitious.... it is Friday the 13, the perfect storm be upon you.
Maybe that's why he's calling home to see if there's anyone left in the Republican party who still loves him. Maybe he's making up his mind, and I say good riddance. OTOH his cancer is back and I doubt he'll be in any shape in '10 to run in either party. Speaking of which:
Dear Senator Spector,
You are nearing the end and what you have left to think of are two things: the country's welfare and your legacy.
If you vote against this fraud that will damage or destroy our country, you will be remembered as a hero.
If you vote for it, you will be remembered forever as one one of The Three Stooges who were too stupid or too corrupt to save the country. In fact you will be one of The Three Stooges who pushed it over the top.
In addition, the unions were encouraging their members to register as Republicans in order to vote for Specter in the primary.
Does this crossover of Dems and Independents for the primary remind you of someone else???? McCain 2008 comes to mind. I'm getting awfully tired of the Dems and Independents choosing our candidates for us.
The truth is that people need to be led to redefine “moderate”.
Let’s face it, many liberals hide behind that label; they have more in common with N. Pelosi than with us.
I believe the term we’re looking for here is
“OSTRACIZE”.
ostracize
v 1: expel from a community or group [syn: banish, ban, ostracise,
shun, cast out, blackball]
2: avoid speaking to or dealing with; “Ever since I spoke up,
my colleagues ostracize me” [syn: ostracise]
The only way to do that is to have real conservatives as candidates, who can explain the advantages of the free market. If all that people get to hear is socialism versus socialism-lite, then they have no opportunity to hear about conservatism.
"What a concept, eh?"
Specter is looking after his own interests. He has never cared about the people. This is where the Republican Party can make some inroads.
To someone who mentioned a Pat Toomey redux for the 2010 primary, I don’t think it will happen. I think Toomey is looking at the soon to be open Governor slot. I welcome that. Sorry to be selfish all of you freepers out there, but we in Pa could desperately use Toomey as a governor. He’ll probably have to run against Jack Wagner on the Democratic side and that will be a tough election. Perhaps we can have Santorum run against Spechter. Why not? Hopefully everyone in Pa has forgiven him for supporting Specter during the 04 primary. If not, there are other good conservative candidates to run.
Whatever happens, we have to defeat Specter in the primary if not the general election just to get rid of him. If he’s going to vote for this stimulous package, what good is he for having around? Seriously? If we can’t count on him when every other GOP congressman save two others are voting against the Dems then he’s not worth having. It’s like having a Democrat so we might as well have a Democrat representing us in Pa. At least it might send a message to other future RINOs who are thinking about bucking the GOP on key philosophical issues such as taxes and spending.
I was actually surprised he voted against spendulus bill - I guess it’s because he is going to run in AZ. He ran a pathetic and boring campaign last year, with one exception: his running mate.
Considering the fact that my suggestion involves focus on the electorate, not the elect, I'm assuming you're asking about the future.
I'd say, "Senator, I hope you see now why you no longer hold your seat: Enough people began to realize why your suggestions and actions were wrong."
Actually, Hewett is a “Hannity conservative.”
Hannity also donned his kneepads for Arnold.
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