Oh my: Toomey eyeing primary challenge as Specter’s polls tank
posted at 2:05 pm on March 2, 2009 by Allahpundit
A Ned Lamont of our very own?
Former Congressman Pat Toomey (R, PA-15), current Club for Growth President, just announced on Bobby Gunther Walsh’s 1-On-1 Show, WAEB, 790AM, that a Primary challenge to Senator Arlen Specter is “now back on the table.”
Mr. Toomey acknowledged that “Senator Specter cast the deciding vote on the very worrisome stimulus Bill, when he could have negotiated with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and President Obama for more productive tax cuts and less wasteful spending.” Pennsylvanians need to do some soul searching about who will really represent us in the Senate.
Remember, Toomey had been thinking about passing on the Senate and making a run for governor next year after coming within two points of knocking off Specter in the 2004 primary. Why the change of heart? Because, unlike Lamont, given Specter’s polling these days, he might not have to defeat the incumbent twice to win his seat. Or would he?
A new statewide poll shows 53 percent of Pennsylvanians — and 66 percent of Republicans — want someone to replace Sen. Arlen Specter.
Asked whether they think Specter, a Philadelphia Republican, has done his job well enough to win re-election or whether they’d prefer a “new person” in that job, registered voters by a 53-38 percent margin said it’s time to give someone else a chance, according to the poll by Susquehanna Polling and Research. Eight percent were undecided…
If the election were held today, “in a two-person race, Specter is toast” if his challenger is a credible candidate, Lee said. A race with more candidates likely would improve Specter’s chances of winning.
Exit question one: Would losing the primary to Toomey actually help Specter? If the Democrats run a Blue Dog against him in a two-man race, conservative Republicans might cross over en masse to punish him for his stimulus betrayal. If it’s a three-man race, conservative Republicans vote for Toomey, liberal Democrats vote for the Dem, and centrists from both sides opt — maybe — for Specter. Exit question two, in case any of Toomey’s people stumble across this post: Would you donate to Toomey’s campaign? I’m sensing mass blogospheric support. Maybe he is our Lamont after all.
Blowback
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ABS .
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Anyone But Specter
Period
Mark Garnett on March 2, 2009 at 2:07 PM
Poll Shows Arlen Specter Could Be ‘Toast’ in 2010
OmahaConservative on March 2, 2009 at 2:07 PM
Defeating RINO Specter would certainly send a message to others in that herd.
Now if we can just replace the entire corrupt Congress with REAL AMERICANS, we may just have something.
SeniorD on March 2, 2009 at 2:08 PM
good for him and the GOP, what Specter fails to see is that the Dems who is kissing up to will do everything they can to defeat him in 2010.
lavell12 on March 2, 2009 at 2:09 PM
Media attack of Toomey begins in 3, 2, 1…
hawkdriver on March 2, 2009 at 2:09 PM
I gave to Toomey last time and I would gladly give my last dollar to him this time.
myrenovations on March 2, 2009 at 2:10 PM
In Huckaspeak, CFG = Club For Greed
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on March 2, 2009 at 2:10 PM
I may have to open the checkbook!
larvcom on March 2, 2009 at 2:11 PM
Who’s the Democrat?
How sick is Specter? His health is failing, maybe he’ll decline to run in the first place.
I know he continually makes me sick, and I don’t even live in Pennsylvania any longer.
NoDonkey on March 2, 2009 at 2:11 PM
I am one of those 66% of Republicans who want Spector gone. He is an embarrassment.
Correct me of Im wrong, but if Spector loses the primary to Toomey, wouldnt he be put on the ballot? That happened to me the 2nd time I ran for school board. I lost the primary to another person and didnt get placed on the ballot. Of course, there were 4 incumbents up for re-election.
Anyway..I feel Spector will be gone. Ive heard from many people, they want him gone. I also would be happy to donate and help him in his campaign.
becki51758 on March 2, 2009 at 2:11 PM
Too bad Lamont lost.
yo on March 2, 2009 at 2:12 PM
At this point, even a democrat winning the seat is not incentive to support Specter. Time for him to go, and if Toomey can win the primary, he has a good shot at winning the general while the recession is still raging.
Vashta.Nerada on March 2, 2009 at 2:12 PM
As a conservative Maine voter, I have spoken to both Snowball and Collin’s offices, and told them I will never vote for these witches again. In fact, I will vote for whomever runs against them.
If we’re going to have democrat senators in this poverty-infested state, they may as well have friggin’ “D”s behind their names.
ErinF on March 2, 2009 at 2:13 PM
Buh, bye!
artist on March 2, 2009 at 2:14 PM
It is not just about wanting Specter gone. I think Toomey is a good man and would make a fine senator.
myrenovations on March 2, 2009 at 2:14 PM
I will be donating to individuals. the RNC can pound sand.
And I will donate to any conservative who runs against Specter.
ctmom on March 2, 2009 at 2:14 PM
oops…I meant would he be put on the ballot? The primary ballot has all people vying for that seat, whether it be 2 candidates or 12. That is, the democrat’s candidates are on 1 ballot and republicans on the 2nd.
Who ever has the most votes are placed on the ballot for the general election. I believe that would be 1 person.
becki51758 on March 2, 2009 at 2:15 PM
Send Specter packing. Then he can spend his days writing his memoir: How I Saved America from Right-wing Excesses.
whitetop on March 2, 2009 at 2:15 PM
Rush is slamming Steele right now. “Mr. Steele, you are calling conservatives for donations and they are hanging up on you!”
ctmom on March 2, 2009 at 2:16 PM
True. And what does it matter if a dem is in there anyway if our own guy (snort) abandons the party over something as crucial as opposing the stimulus giveaway? 6 to 1, half a…. you know.
hawkdriver on March 2, 2009 at 2:16 PM
Is a big-game gun even required to take down this RINO? In another six months or so, I’m guessing all that will be required is a pea shooter.
Specter = POS.
BuckeyeSam on March 2, 2009 at 2:17 PM
I worry that the constituents of Specter, Snowe, and Collins all actually like the job they are doing. But I would contribute to a conservative challenger against all 3 of these RINO’s.
therambler on March 2, 2009 at 2:19 PM
Toomey would have won at the last senate election had he gotten RNC and Bush support.
docdave on March 2, 2009 at 2:20 PM
He’s right. The RNC keeps sending me letters and e-mails asking for donations. They can kiss off as far as I’m concerned. Grow a pair and start taking it to the Dems and the drive-bys. THEN I’ll send you money. Hell, I’ll give a huge donation, even though I make a middle class income in crappy economic times.
Doughboy on March 2, 2009 at 2:20 PM
Specter would have gone down last time if Bush/Santorum hadn’t bailed him out.
Pea shooter sounds about right.
myrenovations on March 2, 2009 at 2:20 PM
SeniorD on March 2, 2009 at 2:08 PM
I agree there is nothing like setting an example to get the rest of them to fall into line…they don’t want to loose their pecking order.
Dr Evil on March 2, 2009 at 2:20 PM
Aint that the truth.
becki51758 on March 2, 2009 at 2:21 PM
Wow, Rush is dead on here. He is telling Steele to get to work getting the primaries closed to stop Democrats from getting RINOs nominated!!!!!!! Go Rush GO!!!!!!!!!
Meanwhile, I will donate to Tooney, too if he is a true blue fiscal conservative and will NOT vote for cloture for obama’s reckless descent into statism socialism
karenhasfreedom on March 2, 2009 at 2:22 PM
Steele is doing a lousy job of one particular thing. With all the outrage about Wall Street bankers, why hasn’t Steele pulled together a succinct summary of the campaign contributions that Wall Street made in the 2006 and 2008 election cycles. I thought I’ve seen reports that Wall Street banks favored Dems over GOP at least 60-40. For Fannie and Freddie, the percentages are worse.
Beyond that, why isn’t Steele trying to compile a study pinning much of the blame for the banking crisis on the Dems? This is going to kill our economy, and GOP leadership, starting with Steele, is letting the Dems skate on this.
BuckeyeSam on March 2, 2009 at 2:23 PM
Anyone? Even a liberal Democrat/socialist?
jp on March 2, 2009 at 2:23 PM
What? I thought the way to win elections was to become more like democrats. Isn’t that what Specter is doing?
poljunkie on March 2, 2009 at 2:24 PM
If Spector loses the primary he will not be put on the ballot for the general election. He will be toast.
becki51758 on March 2, 2009 at 2:24 PM
Yeah, he lost me on day one when he said “The GOP needs to be more hip-hop.”
Give me a break.
ErinF on March 2, 2009 at 2:24 PM
Maybe I’m missing something… but if Toomey beats Specter in the primary, won’t Specter be gone, with Toomey facing whoever won the Dem primary? Or are you suggesting a Blue Dog democrat might run as a Republican in the primary?
cs89 on March 2, 2009 at 2:24 PM
Yes. I’d would even accept letting Obama hold the PA senate seat and the presidency at the same time if it meant Specter was gone.
He is worthless on just about every single issue.
Wait… On second thought, “Anyone” would not include Chris Matthews.
myrenovations on March 2, 2009 at 2:26 PM
Oh, come on. You’re not down with freedom-izzle?!
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on March 2, 2009 at 2:27 PM
I think the Lamont comparrison means if Specter lost the primary and did the Lieberman thing of running as a Independent-Republican.
myrenovations on March 2, 2009 at 2:27 PM
YES!!
becki51758 on March 2, 2009 at 2:28 PM
Good riddance, Specter.
leetpriest on March 2, 2009 at 2:28 PM
The irony is Rush Limbaugh is the alleged entertainer and Michael Steele is the alleged leader of the party. You would think the roles were reversed given their behavior.
Doughboy on March 2, 2009 at 2:28 PM
And the difference is ????
Mark Garnett on March 2, 2009 at 2:28 PM
Arlen Specter was born on February 12, 1930
That makes him 79 – he will be 80 during the 2010 election.
I think he is too old and out of touch. We sure don’t need
a RINO that would be 86 in 2016!!!!!
izoneguy on March 2, 2009 at 2:29 PM
He is correct. I put a block sender on Steele in my email and instead of throwing away the snail-mail I think I will do a return to sender with them.
Disgusted former Republican
OmahaConservative on March 2, 2009 at 2:31 PM
OT: Headlines too hilarious to make up.
Pelosi Snowed-Out of Global Warming Rally
hawkdriver on March 2, 2009 at 2:33 PM
Spot on!
DrStock on March 2, 2009 at 2:33 PM
No, I’m suggesting that Specter will do what Lieberman did when Ned Lamont beat him in the primary, i.e. run in the general as an independent. He’s got plenty of campaign cash in the coffers. He could do it easily.
Allahpundit on March 2, 2009 at 2:33 PM
I currently live in Pennsylvania. If the Democrats’ Operation Chaos on Specter’s behalf wins the nomination for Specter, I will be voting for the Democrat candidate in the general election, no matter who that might be (including Chris Matthews).
It will be the first vote I have cast for a Democrat in my 43 years as a registered voter.
jay12 on March 2, 2009 at 2:34 PM
Toomey is a good conservative and he will definitely defeat Specter. The problem is that Michael Steele has to close the primaries.
jencab on March 2, 2009 at 2:34 PM
But Lieberman succeeded with general support. Your post suggests that Specter doesn’t have it.
DrStock on March 2, 2009 at 2:34 PM
Spector or a dem. what difference? At least with Toomey we have a chance, even if it is just a 33% chance, better then a 100% of having a liberal.
right2bright on March 2, 2009 at 2:35 PM
I can’t wait to find out who I have to send a check to so that Specter gets sent home with the other two senators that voted with the Dem’s. I just hope Maine can come up with a few challengers as well.
daverenkel on March 2, 2009 at 2:35 PM
I donated to Toomey’s campaign last time, and if he runs again, I will again donate in his campaign AGAINST Specter…and FOR Toomey as Senator from Pennsylvania…
golfer1 on March 2, 2009 at 2:36 PM
there is a difference between Specter and liberal democrats, not a big one but enough of one to make me not want the liberal Dem and tolerate a Specter.
he votes with the GOP more than a liberal Democrat will
jp on March 2, 2009 at 2:36 PM
That’s why I bolded the last line, though. The more people run, the more Specter benefits from a split that would give him a shot at winning centrists. If he has to take a Democrat on one-on-one, he’s in deep trouble.
Allahpundit on March 2, 2009 at 2:36 PM
God has a sense of humor
jp on March 2, 2009 at 2:37 PM
Heh…
OmahaConservative on March 2, 2009 at 2:37 PM
Penn. has got alot Bluer since 2000
jp on March 2, 2009 at 2:38 PM
hmm..would Spector have to be a write-in candidate if he loses the primary? Im trying to rememeber from my days in local politics.
Pa has a closed primary and the primary election is done to decide who will be placed on the ballot.
becki51758 on March 2, 2009 at 2:39 PM
The Lamont phenomenon is part of why I have no problem expelling turncoats like Specter, Snowe and Collins. If they truely believe that what they do is what their constituents what, let’em run Indy like Joe did. Lieberman didn’t lie about his beliefs and ran on them and the people of his state spoke loud and clear that he was the one they wanted to represent them.
Let Specter and any other RINO/DINO do the same.
Rogue on March 2, 2009 at 2:40 PM
Would it be better to have a Democrat in the seat instead of Specter?
It wouldn’t shift the balance of power in Washington very much, and having Republican Senators that you could trust to stand united against the Democrats would be huge.
I know, there is still Snowe and Collins to deal with, but getting rid of Specter would be a start.
Maybe it’s a stupid idea, but I don’t see the point of having Republican Senators that vote for such atrocities as the stimulus bill. How much would it hurt just to be rid of them? At lest future Senators would know that we weren’t willing to put up with this crap.
29Victor on March 2, 2009 at 2:42 PM
Better than return to sender, I open the mail from all of the Republican centralized fundraising letters, and I send back the form they want you to send back in with money. On that form in a thick Sharpie marker, I write all across the page the following:
I will NEVER send money to your nationalized fundraisers again until you stop supporting RINO incumbants who favor big spending, Obamanomics, and amnesty for illegal aliens!!
Then I use their prepaid envelope and send it back in.
They keep sending me new letters, I rinse and repeat!!
I am now selecting who to donate $$ directly to, based on where they are running (possible win), who they can beat (make the target count), and if they have the right kind of platform (see above). I just donated to the guy running to win the seat in NY. He may be a RINO for all I know, but I figure if we can slap Obama across the face by having them lose the Dem seat in a special election. That is a house race and less important than a senate race.
next year, I plan to heavily support Harry Reid’s opponent in NV. We need to target that seat, like we got rid of that idiot who used to be Dem Majority leader from SD.
I have also donated new money last week to William Russell, running against Murtha again. We need to win that seat and Russell is the one to support. Make our donations count and we need to bypass the RNC et al with our funds.
karenhasfreedom on March 2, 2009 at 2:43 PM
The return of…..lizard man.
right2bright on March 2, 2009 at 2:45 PM
http://www.acuratings.org/2007all.htm#PA
Specter has a lifetime ACU rating of 45
obviously not a Conservative, but he’s a hell of alot more conservative than Casey(who ran as a moderate Dem) who has a rating of 8
We have to tolerate these RINO’s from Blue States, what we need to focus on is getting as many Red State Republicans elected to the Senate as possible. Thats where we can get truely Conservative Senators, and there are far too many Red States that have Democrat senators.
jp on March 2, 2009 at 2:45 PM
I support that.
myrenovations on March 2, 2009 at 2:46 PM
heh Scary thought. :)
becki51758 on March 2, 2009 at 2:47 PM
I never understood the excitement in the first place.
Give me a Howard Dean for the RNC any day. He was certainly not a “”moderate” and look at the results he got.
neuquenguy on March 2, 2009 at 2:48 PM
Limbaugh’s latest attacker: RNC’s Steele
OmahaConservative on March 2, 2009 at 2:51 PM
Who’s the Democrat?
I’ve heard a couple of people that I know who know my congressman, Tim Holden, (Blue Dog) to say that he is interested in Specter’s seat. He has no statewide profile though.
RWLA on March 2, 2009 at 2:51 PM
The minute a credible candidate announces for Specter’s seat I am sending them a check for $2,000.
Jdripper on March 2, 2009 at 2:52 PM
If he’s a serious R contender and has a pulse, let’s roll. Toomey’s people: set up that page and let’s make it happen. I’d be happy to make calls, too.
RepubChica on March 2, 2009 at 2:53 PM
Good for you. I also think that we need to start letting the GOP know that we will support a conservative Democrat before a liberal Republican. Conservatives are losing the battle because of their tight marriage to the GOP. Republicans as a party are caving in to the pressure to be “moderate” and the whole bar keeps moving left. Meanwhile conservatives keep sheepishly voting for Republicans just like minorities keep voting for Democrats, despite the fact that thy never get the promised results.
neuquenguy on March 2, 2009 at 2:55 PM
This is the kind of thinking necessary to wrest the GOP back from the McCain wing of traitors who have destroyed the legacy of Ronald Reagan. NOW IS THE TIME to start talking about alternatives to the incumbent traitors coming up for re-election in 2010. Now is the time to start positioning leading real Republicans into prominence where they can take on rat bastard traitors like Specter.
highhopes on March 2, 2009 at 3:02 PM
Question for ya. If it isn’t the rat bastard traitor Specter (i.e. no incumbent), will the Democrat Party be inclined to run a “blue dog” to attract the clingers or will the go out with a full-fledged liberal to support the filthy liar’s agenda in DC?
highhopes on March 2, 2009 at 3:04 PM
No good deed goes unpunished. Look how ‘wonderfully’ he rewarded them.
Entelechy on March 2, 2009 at 3:10 PM
Good strategy. When Thune opposed Daschle’s seat in SDak I was living in San Diego and sent money directly to his campaign because I loathed Dash-Hole more than anyone else in politics at the time, and knew my money would be ineffective at unseating Babs Commie Boxer (S)CA.
I especially like that you return the RNC’s donation form in the pre-paid envelope. I used to be a good soldier and put a stamp on the damned thing to help them save postage. No more. Now, where is my Sharpie…
Disgusted former Republican
OmahaConservative on March 2, 2009 at 3:14 PM
Allah,
Your exit questions have me very confused. If Specter lost to Toomey, are you supposing that he would become an independent candidate? This strategy may have worked for Joe in CT but that was because he was liked by all but the fringe of his party and by much of the opposition. It is not clear to me that the same holds for Arlen. Republicans liked Lieberman much more than Democrats like Specter.
Dems would all vote for the Dem here and that would leave the R’s split.
OBQuiet on March 2, 2009 at 3:15 PM
Amen! I will be making a contribution to his challenger when he enters the race.
TheBigOldDog on March 2, 2009 at 3:19 PM
While I resent Specter’s vote on the “Stimulus” Bill and while I think Specter is too old for another run, I will work for him in the primary if he decides to run.
America needs is a Republican Party with Limbaugh as its greatest prophet like the worlds a religion with Mohammed as its greatest prophet.
thuja on March 2, 2009 at 3:21 PM
Steele will lose and lose badly. Rush handed his his hat about an hour ago. Steele better get his head out of his rectum and remember who defended him and helped him fight back against the despicable tactics that the Dems used against him.
TheBigOldDog on March 2, 2009 at 3:22 PM
50 bucks worth
Diogenes of Sinope on March 2, 2009 at 3:22 PM
Allah’s exit question pre-supposes that Specter has enough of a loyal following to launch an independent run (as Lieberman did in CT). I’d suggest that there is no proof evident that such support even exists.
Exit comment. If the GOP wants to rebuild its’ legitimacy and credibility with the base, they need to run solid conservative candidates and not get tied up with supporting rat bastard traitors just because they have an “R” behind their name. With McCain/Collins/Snowe and some marginal RINOS in the Senate, the filthy liar has a fillibuster-proof majority now because one or another of these traitors will cross over in the name of “bipartisanship.”
It is high time to rid the party of these traitors and all those who think the way forward to to be just like the filthy liar’s party.
highhopes on March 2, 2009 at 3:24 PM
If they aren’t closed, why don’t the Republicans make sure they get a Fiscal conservative onto the Democratic primary and push him through to the ballot? Wouldn’t that make for a fun election night. The clueless Philly hordes all vote a straight Dem ticket and push the Republican choice through.
OBQuiet on March 2, 2009 at 3:24 PM
And he can count on hundreds of thousands of dollars being funneled to him from his overlords at Comcast and Blank Rome, LLP (Comcast’s attorneys/ registered Washington lobbyist)
Specter is as dirty as the come.
TheBigOldDog on March 2, 2009 at 3:25 PM
Another Bush mistake, supporting Sphincter in 04.
jukin on March 2, 2009 at 3:26 PM
Specter is almost 80 and on brain cancer #2.
That makes him vulnerable both in the primary and in the general.
Pennsylvania is an odd place.
BigD on March 2, 2009 at 3:27 PM
Allahpundit on March 2, 2009 at 2:33 PM
Thanks for clarifying.
Specter might run as an independent if he gets spanked in the primary, but all that would do (IMO) is throw the race to the Dem candidate. The conservatives would go to Toomey, Specter’s base would vote for him (moderates?) and the Democratic candidate would be victorious.
cs89 on March 2, 2009 at 3:28 PM
Now more than the last time Toomey ran against Specter, if he wins the Dem wins automatically. PA is bluer than it has ever been, Toomey might be able to win the primary but nothing else. It would probably be a good idea to make a point somewhere else.
LevStrauss on March 2, 2009 at 3:28 PM
So bankrupting the nation, stealing our great grandkids’ futures with massive spending of money we don’t have, taking away personal freedoms in piecemeal fashion, and imposing massive socialism on the nation just bubbles up to the concept of “resentment.” Sorry but you are nothing but the very type of troll that needs to be driven from the GOP if they want to re-establish their conservative creds. Specter supported the filthy liar’s agenda and for that he needs to go. If you can’t see that than you need to follow him out the door.
highhopes on March 2, 2009 at 3:29 PM
I already emailed the RNC and told them where to shove it. I’m donating to individuals this time, not to the RNC because I want my money to go to candidates who want to do more than kiss Democrat posteriors.
I will certainly donate to Toomey, if he runs. I don’t have a lot of spare cash, but some of it will be “earmarked” for him. Specter is an embarrassment to the party and a detriment to the nation.
hachiban on March 2, 2009 at 3:31 PM
That’s assuming anyone wants to vote for Dems a year and a half from now. Have you seen the Dow lately?
Doughboy on March 2, 2009 at 3:32 PM
Why? If the GOP can pull it off it is a big deal. If they don’t, nothing lost since Specter is as much a Republican as Teddy Kennedy. He’s a sure vote for the filthy liar’s agenda so there is nothing lost if the seat goes to the Democrats.
highhopes on March 2, 2009 at 3:32 PM
We contributed to Murtha’s challenger, would do the same for Toomey.
obladioblada on March 2, 2009 at 3:32 PM
Um….Lamont lost.
DeathToMediaHacks on March 2, 2009 at 3:36 PM
The last incumbent Republican Senator to run in Pennsylvania with an attitude like yours, lost 60% to 40%. Even though I believe that people will catch on to why Obama’s economic policies don’t work, I don’t see Pennsylvania voting in another Santorum any time soon, and I’m glad for that. I wish James Greenwood who represented the 8th district would run for Senate. He’d stand a good chance of being elected and he’s not almost senile like Specter.
thuja on March 2, 2009 at 3:41 PM
The photo with the comically enlarged noses is back. Was this taken with a fish eye lens?
Mason on March 2, 2009 at 3:42 PM
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