Specter trying to change rules to make GOP Senate race an open primary

hotair ^ | March 23, 2009

[lowbridge]

Via DrewM at Ace’s site. The last time I posted about this, I thought Specter could play Joe Lieberman to Pat Toomey’s Ned Lamont by losing the GOP primary and then winning the general election as an independent. Not so; turns out Pennsylvania law prohibits independent runs by candidates who compete in and lose a primary. So he’s either got to run as a Republican and beat Toomey or duck the showdown by going indie now.

Or maybe there’s a third way.

In recent days, Specter has quietly lobbied Republicans who control the state Senate to support a proposal that would allow independents to vote in the Republican or Democratic primary. He has called individual senators and spoke before the entire caucus - on that and other subjects - earlier this week.

One senator who attended the caucus said it was tough sell.

“It was apparent that he wanted the support” of the caucus, said Sen. John H. Eichelberger, R-Blair, who supports Toomey. “I could tell from the looks in the room and the comments that were made that there wasn’t much support for it.”

So brutal are the poll numbers for Specter among Pennsylvania Republicans that I can’t see how he stands a chance against Toomey, especially considering that plenty of disaffected centrist GOPers have doubtless left the party over the past few years

[pnh102]

While you’re at it, try wishing for a pony.

I could... but I need better recipes.

[mwestk]

Bush AND Santorum came to PA to prop up Spector and look what happened to SANTORUM!

[cameraeye]

I agree with every word you wrote!

[Avoiding_Sulla]

This story reverberates with what’s happened to the California GOP. Perhaps you can make hay with it.

[calcowgirl]

I guess I could go back to dreaming now, right?

I LIKE the way you dream!

[calcowgirl]

You're right, AV. The list of actions they have taken in California to prop up RINOs is endless. From redistricting to open primaries to changing election dates to internal GOP rules... all of them seem directed at flushing out conservatives and making sure that no one other than big-financed RINOs get an hour on the stage.

We've got three liberals looking at a 2010 Governor run. And while we've got a good candidate in Chuck DeVore to go up against Boxer for U.S. Senate, the PTB are trying to push Carly Fiorina onto the ticket. It really is frustrating when you have to fight your own party and the Democrats.

[Avoiding_Sulla]

PTB? °~°

[calcowgirl]

Powers that be? ;-)

[Avoiding_Sulla]

I swear, all I could think of was the figurative “People to Beat.” And that didn’t make sense, because why would they be pushing someone else.

OTOH, the powers that be ARE the people to beat (and in a non-figurative way). Funny how that comes full circle. LOL

[calcowgirl]

Funny how that comes full circle. LOL

Very good! :-)

[SierraWasp]

"It really is frustrating when you have to fight your own party and the Democrats."

So danged trew!!!

[tflabo]

This old sack will be 80 years old when running for that senate seat. These senate fools lack the dignity to pass along the torch and exit with honor. Spectacle has neither....

[jan in Colorado]

DIGG

[DirtyHarryY2K]

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