Cornyn On Specter: "Best Bet" To Keep PA Seat With GOP

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.

Senator John Cornyn
Chairman, National Republican Senatorial Committee
March 26, 2009

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

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.

My email to Cornyn - other Texans, please consider sending “in kind”

Senator Cornyn,

Bluntly, if you support the re-election of the likes of Arlen Specter, then you are part of the problem.

The public has demonstrated in the TEA Parties that they know that the republicans are complicit in this mess. Many have stated that they wish to be rid of the ‘professional politician’ and return to real representative democracy more like that established originally in the Constitution, but with TERM LIMITS.

We also recognize that our professional politicians have allowed the usurpation of our country by leftists. We see indoctrination and historical revision in ALL our schools, we see propaganda machines (the mainstream media) promoting and supporting leftist ideologues and ‘one world’ government, we see judge after judge ignore the oath he or she has taken and make up laws out of thin air; and now we have a student of leftist radicalism as president, with everyone in a position of responsibility failing their own oath to defend the Constitution “against all enemies, foreign and domestic” by not ensuring its requirements are met in regards to Constitutional presidential qualifications.

Your conservative political positions are the republican equivalent to clinton’s triangulation; we see that your interests are not with the needs of Texas or America. As an elected representative from Texas, you should be standing against the fiscal irresponsibility that promotes unfairness and raises the tax burden on all citizens. Supporting Specter is being part of the “republican team” and representing the interest of neither Americans nor the Texans who elected you.

This year may be the last gasp of United States exceptionalism. I will support NO ONE who has in any way contributed to its downturn. I see your support of Specter as such a contribution.

(BTW, My wife and I were members of the Oak Hills Church of Christ BEFORE we built Crown Ridge and remember your using the Church directory for political purposes, another indicator of your lack of discernment and integrity.)

one of your current constituents,
//signed//

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