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Arlen Specter Hints He May Spurn GOP (Could we so lucky?)
newsmax ^ | 3/19/09 | David A. Patten

Posted on 03/19/2009 11:04:46 AM PDT by bestintxas

Having rejected Democratic overtures to switch parties, Sen. Arlen Specter is raising the possibility he may spurn the GOP and run as an independent.

“It’s an abstract possibility,” the Pennsylvania Republican also told the Los Angeles Times on Wednesday, regarding an independent bid. “But I am not making any plans on it.”

Specter has suggested he would only do so as a last resort, and would continue to caucus with Republicans.

Specter has been under fire from GOP conservatives particularly in his home state due to his moderate positions. He was one of only three Republican senators who voted for the $787 billion stimulus bill passed by Congress.

After representing the Keystone State for five terms, Specter is expected to face a tough primary battle for the 2010 GOP nomination. One potential rival is former GOP Rep. Patrick J. Toomey, who ran against him in 2004.

Specter, 79, also expects a strong Democratic challenge in the general election, possibly from Rep. Allyson Schwartz, D-Pa.

Specter’s status as a swing vote in the Senate has made him, at least in some quarters, one of its most influential members. In his interview with the Los Angeles Times, Specter appeared to downplay the notion that he might entertain an independent bid.

“It’s a possibility in the sense that almost anything is a possibility,” he said.

(Excerpt) Read more at newsmax.com ...


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: pennarino; senatorsphincter; snarlinarlen; specter; spectertruthfile
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To: mgc1122
Arlen still believes he has relevance

He knows he screwed up but hes such a vain poopycock who will not give up power willingly. Greedy, vainglorious, selfish, dishonest and so very screwed.

21 posted on 03/19/2009 11:17:29 AM PDT by Nonstatist
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To: Reagan69

Pat Tilman died as a Ranger in Afghanistan, I believe. Do you mean Lynn Swann?


22 posted on 03/19/2009 11:17:58 AM PDT by MortMan (Power without responsibility-the prerogative of the harlot throughout the ages. - Rudyard Kipling)
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To: VanDeKoik

He has $6 Million stockpiled to run. All those Senate deals with the Democrats have been very profitable for him.


23 posted on 03/19/2009 11:18:30 AM PDT by Ikemeister
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To: MortMan

No Lynn Swann please! He ran an absolutely horrible campaign against Ed Rendell!


24 posted on 03/19/2009 11:19:37 AM PDT by Ikemeister
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To: bestintxas

Just go you backstabbing bastard Sphincter. Go be a Obamacrat along with your fellow Pennsylvanian, John Murtha. You two will make a perfect set of book ends.


25 posted on 03/19/2009 11:19:57 AM PDT by RushLake (Democrats have never met a terrorist they didn't like.)
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To: bestintxas
See ya!
26 posted on 03/19/2009 11:21:00 AM PDT by Obadiah (Party - my house - on December 22, 2012!)
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To: bestintxas

Hey Arlen! Don’t let the door hit ya in the A$$ on yer way out!

bye bye creep.


27 posted on 03/19/2009 11:21:02 AM PDT by joethedrummer
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To: bestintxas

(Arlen Specter Hints He May Spurn GOP)

Not a hint Arlen but a fact. As an American and a Pennsylvanian I am spurning YOU. Tired of you being a lawyer instead of a represntative of the people that elected you. Besides you never were a Republican to start with...........


28 posted on 03/19/2009 11:21:13 AM PDT by SECURE AMERICA (Coming to You From the Front Lines of Occupied America)
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To: bestintxas

Specter enjoys his position as one of three Senators who will screw his own party for a favor or two.


29 posted on 03/19/2009 11:21:43 AM PDT by Dapper 26
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To: bestintxas

This is a transparent shot across the bow of any primary challengers. Specter is basically saying, if you beat me in the primary, I will run as an independent in the general and either win or see to it that you dont win.

It is smart hardball politics on his part. It may well scare opponents out of the primary. I don’t like a lot of what Specter does, but he wont be the last incumbent to use the Lieberman example to hint to potential primary opponents that even if you can get the prarty nomination, it will be worthless to you.


30 posted on 03/19/2009 11:23:37 AM PDT by JLS
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To: JSDude1
Pat Toomey’s run ends better than Ned Lamont’s.

I agree, but even if it doesn't demonstrating that we will kick the traitors out will help keep the other weak willed RINOs in check. Note that since Leiberman very few few Democrats have dared to challenge any of the socialist pronouncements of Reid and Queen Nancy. They may have lost one seat, but the guaranteed that all the remaining seats are in lock step behind the leadership.

There id very little chance we will pick up the majority of the Senate in 2010. We may pick up a few seats, but if given the choice between 42 seats with 4-5 RINOs who routinely stab you in the back and 41 seats that are rock solid, I'll take the the latter. And even if we end up with 39 seats, whats the difference? We can't block anything now due to Spectre and the RINOs from Maine.

A rock solid foundation is one on which you can build a house meant to last. A big tent may be easier to put up, but it just gets blown over by the first gust of wind.
31 posted on 03/19/2009 11:28:24 AM PDT by GonzoGOP (There are millions of paranoid people in the world and they are all out to get me.)
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To: bestintxas

Good. Get rid of him


32 posted on 03/19/2009 11:29:35 AM PDT by pissant (THE Conservative party: www.falconparty.com)
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To: bestintxas

Does PA have a “Sore Loser” law where one can’t run as a write-in or indy if he’s been beaten in a primary (like Lieberman did in CN)? Jumping the GOP may be the only way to scoot by the Primary, where he’ll be challenged, straight to the General, where he’d win with Rat votes.


33 posted on 03/19/2009 11:30:34 AM PDT by Cyber Liberty (Pretending the Admin Moderator doesn't exist will result in suspension.)
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To: bestintxas

If PA returns him to the senate, I vote we kick PA out of the union. Any FReepers and other conservatives are welcome to move to my state. You’ll be in good company and a much better climate!


34 posted on 03/19/2009 11:31:02 AM PDT by Islander7 (If you want to anger conservatives, lie to them. If you want to anger liberals, tell them the truth.)
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To: bestintxas

I really have mixed feelings about this. I’ve been wanting to change to independant for some while now but have remained Republican just so I can vote against Specter in the 2010 primary. Unless the legislature changes to an open primary I don’t think old Arlen has a chance to win.


35 posted on 03/19/2009 11:34:48 AM PDT by Jaxter (Si Vis Pacem Para Bellum.)
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To: bestintxas
Image and video hosting by TinyPic
Ah bin tellin' Ahlen fah years thaht 'e needs to be more indahpendant!
36 posted on 03/19/2009 11:37:22 AM PDT by Ghengis
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To: Antoninus
If he loses in the primary, expect to see him as a Democrat in the general.

Will not happen - PA has a "sore loser" law that prohibits the loser of a primary from running in the general with the other party or as an independent.

That is not all of Arlen's problems. The PA primary is closed - no 'Rats or independents allowed. A recent poll of GOP voters here showed a 66-26 preference for bouncing Arlen. He is trying to get the state GOP to open up the primary.

Actually, the smart thing for him would be to turn 'Rat in name as well as deed. If he doesn't, he is toast next spring.

37 posted on 03/19/2009 11:41:46 AM PDT by Ogie Oglethorpe (2nd Amendment - the reboot button on the U.S. Constitution)
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To: JLS
This is a transparent shot across the bow of any primary challengers. Specter is basically saying, if you beat me in the primary, I will run as an independent in the general and either win or see to it that you dont win.

See post 37

38 posted on 03/19/2009 11:43:07 AM PDT by Ogie Oglethorpe (2nd Amendment - the reboot button on the U.S. Constitution)
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To: Cyber Liberty

See post 37


39 posted on 03/19/2009 11:43:42 AM PDT by Ogie Oglethorpe (2nd Amendment - the reboot button on the U.S. Constitution)
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To: bestintxas
He has been sprning the republican party his entire career.

Now that he senses that republicans have had enough of his double dealing he hints he might make it official.

"You can't fire me - I quit!"


40 posted on 03/19/2009 11:46:55 AM PDT by Iron Munro (Suppose you were an idiot. And suppose you were a member of Congress. But I repeat myself.)
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