Posted on 04/15/2009 12:58:41 PM PDT by nickcarraway
Sen. John Cornyn, chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, issued his firm support of Sen. Arlen Specter (R-PA) today in a letter affirming the senator's conservative credentials on issues ranging from keeping "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance to support for a ban on so-called partial birth abortions. Specter is likely to face a primary challenge from Pat Toomey, former president of the Club for Growth.
"As I survey the political landscape of the upcoming 2010 elections, it's clear we need more candidates that fit their states," Cornyn wrote. "While I doubt Arlen could win an election in my home state of Texas, I am certain that I could not get elected in Pennsylvania. I believe that Senator Specter is our best bet to keep this Senate seat in the GOP column. A vote for Arlen Specter is a vote for denying Harry Reid and the Democrats a filibuster-proof Senate."
Cornyn notes that Specter shepherded through the Senate Judiciary Committee the nominations of John Roberts as chief justice of the Supreme Court and Samuel A. Alito as associate justice. He says that they don't agree on every issue but that Specter, who was one of three Republicans to vote for Pres. Obama's stimulus package, is a reliable supporter of GOP initiatives.
"My job as head of the NRSC is to guide the GOP back to a majority in the Senate," he added. "I can't do that without Arlen Specter. With him as our nominee, I can target our campaign resources toward beating Democrats and growing the Senate Republican Conference."
Recent polls have shown Specter, elected to the Senate in 1980, could be vulnerable in a primary battle as well as in a general election race against a still undecided Democratic challenger.
The full Cornyn letter is available after the jump. (JENNIFER SKALKA)
Senator John Cornyn
Chairman, National Republican Senatorial Committee
March 26, 2009
Dear Friend,
I write today to you and other Pennsylvania GOP leaders on behalf of my friend and colleague, Arlen Specter. His re-election in 2010 is vital if we are to regain our majority in the Senate.
As I survey the political landscape of the upcoming 2010 elections, it's clear we need more candidates that fit their states. While I doubt Arlen could win an election in my home state of Texas, I am certain that I could not get elected in Pennsylvania. I believe that Senator Specter is our best bet to keep this Senate seat in the GOP column. A vote for Arlen Specter is a vote for denying Harry Reid and the Democrats a filibuster-proof Senate.
The political math for Republicans in 2010 is tough. We must defend 19 of our Senate seats -- six of which are in states (such as Pennsylvania) won by President Obama. The Democrats have to defend just 17 of their 59 seats, only two of which are in states Senator McCain won. With just 41 Members in the Senate Republican Conference, it's vital that we focus our limited resources on growing the party and beating Democrats.
The fact that Pennsylvania has become a reliable "blue state" for the Democrats isn't the only reason they're targeting Arlen. For example, they didn't like it when he:
Declared recently he would vote against cloture and oppose the Employee Free Choice Act, also known as 'card check'
Voted against the so-called "Fairness Doctrine" (which would enable government censors to prevent local radio stations from carrying conservative talk radio) Cast the deciding vote to defeat a bipartisan tax hike in December 2007
Led the GOP's effort to repeal the Democrats' increase of the Alternative Minimum Tax rates
Voted for the Reagan and Bush tax cuts Sponsored the Flat Tax, the Balanced Budget Amendment and Line-Item Veto
Sponsored the Flag Protection Amendment Voted to keep "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance Voted for the Partial Birth Abortion Ban and Defense of Marriage Act
Sponsored the Religious Freedom Restoration Act Stood up for Israel's right to protect her citizens against terrorist attacks
Protected the individual right to bear arms enshrined in the 2nd Amendment
Sponsored the bill to deport convicted felons who are illegal aliens
Arlen and I do not agree on every issue, but as Chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), I rely on Senator Specter for advice and counsel on key issues. As a fellow member of the Judiciary Committee, I've seen Arlen's strong leadership first-hand. His work shepherding through the confirmations of Chief Justice Roberts and Associate Justice Alito was unparalleled. My job as head of the NRSC is to guide the GOP back to a majority in the Senate. I can't do that without Arlen Specter. With him as our nominee, I can target our campaign resources toward beating Democrats and growing the Senate Republican Conference. Please join me in that effort.
Thank you.
Sincerely Yours,
Senator John Cornyn
I will vote for Toomey in the primary just like I did last time. Unlike last time I am finished holding my nose and voting for Specter because the seat might go to the Democrats. If my fellow Pennsylvanians are that ignorant, after what will be two years of Obamanations they still vote Democrat then all is lost anyway,
fuggetaboutit. Arlen has stepped in it way too many times to ever get my vote. Pat Toomey should have had the job years ago but was derailed. This time will be different.
Cornyn has been extra extra RINO of late.
NO, Mr. Cornyn. The “LESSER OF TWO EVILS” approach not only re-elected one of the supreme RINOs in the Senate 5 years ago, it helped cost Santorum his seat. We’ve lost far too many rights, far too much freedom and way too much money over the past several decades allowing clowns like you to suggest that it’s a “fill in the blank RINO” or else! Specter has betrayed the American people time and again in close votes. A democrat would have made no difference. I suggest you begin worrying about your own seat, pal.
Pat Toomey?
The guy who tried to heap Rudy Giuliani upon us as the GOP nominee?
I’ll actually stick with Specter........
And this is why we need a new Party, based on term limits, the denial of ANY future political office after those term limits, the requirement that politicians will be bound by the laws they pay for the rest of us, a closely scrutinizedexpense account [but no salary; room and board at a military barracks], no pension or perks, and the end to the professional political class in this country. Let’em get a real job.
That tells me all I need to know about Cornyn.
I wonder how these people can say this? Do they live in this Commonwealth? NO, so stay out of our business and we’ll stay out of Texas’s business, in other words, we won’t encourage people in your state to vote to oust you!!!
WE don’t want Rino Specter-D, we want TOOMEY!!
Coryn voted for TARP I
2010 is looming
I’d rather see a Democrat in a Congressional seat than a turncoat Republican.
cornyn and exspecterant both must go.
LLS
I was hoping Cornyn would have more sense than this.
I rest my case. Cornyn is nothing but a conservative poseur.
Not a single nickel from me to support Cornyn’s efforts ever again.
>> Coryn voted for TARP I 2010 is looming
He was re-elected in ‘08. So 2010 won’t be of personal concern to him.
>> I wonder how these people can say this? Do they live in this Commonwealth? NO, so stay out of our business and we’ll stay out of Texas’s
Cornyn is charman of the Republican senatorial committee, so he controls (to some degree) funding for Republican candidates. That’s why he is sticking his nose in PA business. If he were supporting Pat Toomey, you would WANT his nose in your state’s business, because it would help a good candidate get elected.
But his backing Specter sucks big time.
I suppose this includes Thad Cochran here in Mississippi, the largest ear marker in Congress. Followed by our newest. Senator Wicker the 2nd largest ear marker.
Nope, enough is enough. Even Robt Byrd (KKK-WV) is more of a fiscal conservative than Wicker or Cochran.
The Republic rats have left me, maybe a new party. The TEAPARTY party.
Ya, cuz Spector was so key in filibustering the 1 trillion $$ porkulus bill.... thank god for Spector.
>> me, but it IS important to hold the seat, especially with Obama and a near filibuster proof dem majority
What does it matter when the wanker votes with Satan on the most important issues! To HELL with Specter. And to hell with Cornyn as well.
I want my enemies out in front of me where I can watch them. Not behind me like Cornyn and Specter — tapping me on the back for money out of my pocket, and at the same time feeling for a soft spot to stab me in the back.
Shullbit.
Arlen Specter is probably one of the least reliable RINO’s in the US Senate. If it takes Specter to hold the seat, then the Republicans will hold NOTHING. He would flip in a minute, and nothing John Cornyn or anybody might say to him would get him to demonstrate the least loyalty to or solidarity with other Republicans.
With the ferment abounding in the land, and this business about a “filibuster-proof” majority, how or why would we, as conservatives, choose to support Specter for ANYTHING? In all of Pennsylvania, there must be some personable spokesman for the conservative point of view who may be persuaded to a) run in the primary against Specter and win; and b) persuade a sufficient number of the Pennsylvania voters that their best interests lie in restoring the Reagan coalition.
Cornyn should have kept his mouth shut.Just another part of the problem that has been detected.
Dear Senator,
This Pennsylvania Republican voter does not give a damn if the 'seat' stays in Republican hands anymore. Specter has to go!
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