Good news: GOP Senate committee to back Specter over Toomey
posted at 4:35 pm on April 14, 2009 by Allahpundit
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Like Jay Cost says, the party apparatus almost always supports the incumbent in a primary challenge for the simple reason that the incumbent’s almost always more likely to win the general. That’s why Bunning might be headed under the bus in Kentucky while Benedict Arlen’s still on board. Toomey probably can’t beat a Democrat in Pennsylvania, which makes the question here simple: Would you rather be stuck with Specter for another six years or is the schadenfreude of seeing him go down sweet enough to be worth losing the filibuster?
Cornyn’s made his decision:
“My job as head of the NRSC is to guide the GOP back to a majority in the Senate,” wrote Cornyn in a letter to Pennsylvania Republicans. “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.”
The implication of those lines is clear: if Toomey is the Republican nominee next November, “campaign resources” may not flow from Washington to Pennsylvania.
Meanwhile, here’s the latest from the guy who’s going to help us build that new “Republican” majority:
The competitive Democratic primary between Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama last year spurred tens of thousands of Pennsylvania Republicans to switch their registration to Democratic. Specter is openly encouraging them to switch back, even telling a group of retailers he met with Monday in Philadelphia, “I don’t know if there are any Democrats in this room. If there are, I’m going to need you to become Republicans, Republicans at least for a day.”
Head on over to the NRSC’s donation page in case you feel moved to help re-elect someone who’s been reduced to begging Democrats to cross over and vote for him. Exit question: Does this give Steele an opportunity to firm up his own conservative cred? Some of the RNC’s rank and file want to see Specter punished and Steele fancies himself enough of a maverick to flirt publicly with the idea of supporting primary challenges. Why not give money to Specter and Toomey, as a symbolic show of support for the latter? The base would appreciate it, especially in contrast with Cornyn.
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I realize people don’t like him, but surely you’d like to prevent *some* parts of the liberal agenda from getting passed, right?
Proud Rino on April 14, 2009 at 4:41 PM
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Given a choice between Card Check and Stimulapalooza, I’ll take Card Check. I suspect Card Check could be tied up in court, maybe even overturned by the Supremes a *lot* easier than the stimulus.
Mew
acat on April 14, 2009 at 5:34 PM
This is why we need TERM LIMITS.
Aggie85 on April 14, 2009 at 5:39 PM
If Steele’s RNC cannot read the handwriting on the wall, the third party is going to happen.
Angry Dumbo on April 14, 2009 at 5:42 PM
One bad Apple spoils the bunch!
The party needs to be purged of all rot inducing (fiscal) Rinos. They do nothing but muddle the Republican message. We may lose a few seats at first, but we will gain even more when the party can provide voters with a clear choice between socialism and free markets.
MoronThisLater on April 14, 2009 at 5:43 PM
That’s it. No more voting for me. I’m finished with the whole filthy business.
Specter
Murtha
Casey
Rendell
Count me out. I’m 61. Retired disabled. And I don’t care anymore.
Pennsylvania, go f*** yourself.
jay12 on April 14, 2009 at 5:57 PM
He may as well be a Democrat.
I’d rather support the other guy, and have that guy lose to a Dem, than continuing to support Specter.
A couple things:
It makes Republicans in general look bad- that we’ll support bad Republicans.
Supporting a Primary against him, if he wins, helps us because it shows him that he needs to vote correctly if he wants our support.
Lt. Ripley on April 14, 2009 at 5:57 PM
Have we not learned our lesson yet? Will we continue to make the assumption that our preferred choice stands no chance in the general election and nominate an “electable” Rino instead? Do we not remember the last time we did this with Arlen? I can’t remember what the subject was but right after the election Arlen snubbed his nose at President Bush (who supported him) and the Party and went “rino-ing” with the Libs yet again. Screw Cornyn and the Senatorial Committee. Enough of this clown.
ncjetsfan on April 14, 2009 at 5:58 PM
He may as well be a Democrat.
I’d rather support the other guy, and have that guy lose to a Dem, than continuing to support Specter.
A couple things:
It makes Republicans in general look bad- that we’ll support bad Republicans.
Supporting a Primary against him, if he wins, helps us because it shows him that he needs to vote correctly if he wants our support.
Lt. Ripley on April 14, 2009 at 6:00 PM
Starve them of funds. Let Steele get a job in the White House.
Didn’t someone steal the Cornyn in a Monty Python movie? Doh, that’s cormorant.
Feedie on April 14, 2009 at 6:02 PM
I can’t believe this is happening!! This day has been a doosy to say the least. Specter must have pictures on some of these people. This is a bad move and if Steele can’t stop this I think you can start “warming the fat lady up” on the Republican Party.
Dire Straits on April 14, 2009 at 6:02 PM
You’re serious? You’re relying on Specter to hold the flibuster line?
Stunning.
HondaV65 on April 14, 2009 at 6:12 PM
And I have the name for it already [drum roll!!], the TEA PARTY!! If the turnout for tomorrows protests is as large as I anticipate, there will already be the makings of a grassroots for the party.
docdave on April 14, 2009 at 6:14 PM
I did cross parties to vote for Hillary over Obama, since McCain had already captured the Republican race. Thanks for the reminder to switch back for Specter! I’m still angry over his vote for the Porkulus and his stance on immigration, but Specter’s overall politics are what many of us want from Republicans.
thuja on April 14, 2009 at 6:14 PM
As a long-time donor, I will be contacting Sen. Cornyn and the NRSC about this, but I don’t believe anything in the WashingtoncomPost, especially their stories about Republicans!
Specter is old, sick and a RINO. No thank you!
Jenfidel on April 14, 2009 at 6:17 PM
That’s OK. We will still back Toomey.
Sxyrzrbck on April 14, 2009 at 6:19 PM
I did cross parties to vote for Hillary over Obama, since McCain had already captured the Republican race. Thanks for the reminder to switch back for Specter! I’m still angry over his vote for the Porkulus and his stance on immigration, but Specter’s overall politics are what many of us want from Republicans.
thuja on April 14, 2009 at 6:14 PM
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Interesting.
I know damn few Republicans who think Specter is what we want.
Mew
acat on April 14, 2009 at 6:28 PM
Note to RINO-Publican party: if this is true do not ask me for money, do not ask me for volunteer support and do not ask me for my vote. FU every stinkin’ crooked save my own ass one of you.
This has been an incredibly bad day. It starts with the feds basically saying that any one who supports the constitution is a criminal and now the RINOuplicans supporting this useless f’in tool…I need a drink and a stogie…I better get those quick before our new socialist overlords outlaw tobacco and alcohol because they drive up costs for the soon to be fed run healthcare system. I am so freakin’ depressed. I cannot be from the same planet as these selfish friggin assholes!
jwp1964 on April 14, 2009 at 6:29 PM
Don’t contribute to any National Republican group. Send your money directly to your preferred candidate. If everyone does that the National RINOlickans will eventually get the message.
TruthToBeTold on April 14, 2009 at 6:38 PM
Specter is going to switch parties the moment e is re-elected. If the GOP can’t understand not rewarding disloyalty then they don’t deserve ours. No time, no money and no votes.
chicagojedi on April 14, 2009 at 6:40 PM
Funny how the RSC doesn’t have a contact us tag…
Just sayin’…ya know…
Screw them…it’s all about re-election, not principles.
Gothguy on April 14, 2009 at 6:41 PM
This is very much the same reason the GOP is fast loosing respect among conservatives. They have no principles. That they would support a bozo porker like Specter instead of Toomey shows how short-sighted they are. Support real conservatives – even if you were to lose in PA, you’ll at least gain respect which will go a long ways in other parts of the country. Spineless idiots!
robm on April 14, 2009 at 6:45 PM
Toomey just may be the first candidate I will ever send a political contribution to and I don’t even live in Penn.
Punchenko on April 14, 2009 at 6:46 PM
Wow, Cornyn just guaranteed that I am going to continue to send back their fund raising letters EMPTY with Sharpie pen notes written all over the paperwork saying I will NEVER let my money elect another RINO traitor in the Senate again. They will get NOTHING from me. I am going to donate directly to the primary opponent. And for the general, is Spectre is on the ballot, I will use my Senate budget for the states that have REAL conservatives on the ballot.
AUGH!! And they wonder why we are “teabagging” tomorrow. BOTH PARTIES in DC are out of touch.
karenhasfreedom on April 14, 2009 at 7:07 PM
Speaking of liberal losers from PA:
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09104/962772-100.stm
Good luck with that, Fast Eddie.
Philly on April 14, 2009 at 7:08 PM
Specter is a glaring example of everything that’s wrong in the Republican party. The last two election cycles are proof positive that people have had enough of RINOs.
Specter made his bed. And Steele’s a fool if he doesn’t let him lie in it.
Murf76 on April 14, 2009 at 7:08 PM
I made my donation to Toomey directly
lwssdd on April 14, 2009 at 7:22 PM
If I lived in Pennsylvania, I’d start working hard on finding a viable 3rd party candidate.
SoldiersMom on April 14, 2009 at 7:22 PM
I was told by the obnoxious supervisor who called from the GOP for fundraising that they never backed one candidate in the primaries. They waited until the general election and then supported the republican candidate. “Besides, they would rather have spector than a dem.” OK, I guess he was wrong, they will take one over the other. Then I know where my money will not go. I suggest we all do the same and not donate to the GOP until they get our message…….
Bambi on April 14, 2009 at 7:27 PM
We have enough trouble in Indiana with Bayh doing his moderate Democrat two-step and Lugar being senile and totally untrustworthy. But I am thankful we don’t have Specter. Good luck, Pennsylvania. Be glad you’re not MA.
SKYFOX on April 14, 2009 at 7:33 PM
Agreed. At this point I’d throw out every milquetoast idiot like Specter if by doing so I could find principled candidates to begin replacing effete deadwood in the GOP’s ranks.
The *only* reason this a$$hole backed off on Card Check was because of the primary threat from Toomey. Otherwise, he would have voted for it.
‘Nuff said.
Wanderlust on April 14, 2009 at 7:42 PM
Is there a place to vote for the dumbest comment of the year?
We’re gonna lose a filibuster by losing Arlen? Your’re Shi**ing me right?
jmell7 on April 14, 2009 at 7:48 PM
Hear, Hear.
Call all conservatives! All conservatives to the floor!:
In this day of internet access and unverified credit card donations, we must collectively pool our money to those candidates that speak to principals. We must not just direct with our votes but with our pocketbooks. We must generate a map of all viable House or Senate seats for 2010 and start spend our money where our mouths are. Instead of letting these do-nothing Republican National Committee members who refuse to listen to the people on the ground do our work for us, we must support and defend the individuals who stand for conservative principals through out the country. Do it even if they aren’t in your district. Ultimately, in total, they effectively end up representing us all anyway. If we want to be able to do something to change the status quo then TeaParties are not enough. So, donate directly to Toomey’s campaign even if you’re not a PA resident. Show the National spokesmen that they do not speak for us. They speak for themselves.
Sultry Beauty on April 14, 2009 at 7:56 PM
You can’t be serious. You mean the way Specter helped filibuster the porkulous? Please.
SouthernGent on April 14, 2009 at 7:58 PM
Tossing out Specter is a risk I’m willing to take. For all intents and purposes he is in the same camp as the Dem’s and I have no use for him.
Stickeehands on April 14, 2009 at 8:20 PM
Bugger off….I want him out.
Tim Burton on April 14, 2009 at 8:21 PM
Go Specter!!!
In order to win back a GOP majority, you’re going to have some people in Congress you’ll disagree with.
therightwinger on April 14, 2009 at 8:52 PM
Specter doesn’t need Republican money. If he is having trouble, Soros and the like will find a way to get money to him. He is one of the most important tools in the Democrats’ tool box.
If conservatives can’t win in some state, we should try to do what we can to make sure white liberals don’t win. Make senators out of Chaka Fattah in Pennsylvania, Maxine Waters in California, Ellison in Minnesota. Blacks will turn out for the primaries to make sure they unseat the white liberal incumbents. We should help them. It’s the white liberal’s worst nightmare and would destroy the Democratic Party. That is the real reason that the Democrats were so terrified of Burris becoming senator.
Buddahpundit on April 14, 2009 at 8:55 PM
RINOs need to become extinct, even if a Demo takes the seat.
Dandapani on April 14, 2009 at 9:28 PM
Yeah, that worked real well with the stimulus and budget bills, didn’t it? Having a democrat instead of Spectre would have changed things, how?
/probably already been said,but this makes me so mad I had to put in my $0.02
NRSCC can expect exactly $0.00 from me in future donations.
National Republican Party can expect exactly $0.00 from me in future donations.
My money is going to SarahPAC and other conservative causes with which I agree. Apparently the National Republican Party no longer feels that it is a conservative party. Let David Frum, Megan McCain and the other elitist RINOs support it, I’m done.
AZfederalist on April 14, 2009 at 10:00 PM
God Almighty. How many more times can the Republicans stab you in the back? If the Republicans ever come into power, they will simply do the bidding of the elite establishment and grow the government. Man, how many times does one have to be fooled.
True_King on April 14, 2009 at 10:08 PM
I, for one, am tired of hearing how we must continually compromise our principles, values, morals, soul, whatever, for the sake of the Republican Party. Sorry, I’m done with that. After I got suckered into voting for Arnold in California with the “he’s a fiscal conservative” argument, I’m done. I will vote third party or whoever represents my values. I’m done selling my soul so I can have people like Arlen Specter spit in my face on a regular basis.
No more compromising! If we need to start a real conservative third party, I’m willing to suffer through the time period it will take to establish it. No more compromising!
tballard on April 14, 2009 at 11:22 PM
sdun1 on April 15, 2009 at 12:02 AM
What blows my mind about this whole “He needs to be purged” mentality is how it’s so fundamentally irrational. Look at the damn numbers in Pennsylvania, you aren’t going to get someone you like out of there. There are two congressional districts where the Democrats win by almost a 90-10, they take those off the board from the get go. They won 3 districts by larger margins than our biggest margin, and they still won more districts than we did. This isn’t South Carolina, they aren’t going to elect a Jim Demint.
So these are the options, Specter, or a Democrat. Specter has a 42 rating from the American Conservative Union, in contrast Bob Casey got an 8. Ben Nelson, one of the most conservative Democrats, got a 16. So either get someone who votes with us about 40% of the time, or someone who will almost never vote with us. If you can’t tell the difference between the two, then you should go find your kindergarten teacher and punch him in the face for failing to teach you the whole “which number is bigger?” thing.
Cutting off your nose to spite your face is a truly preposterous strategy.
galenrox on April 15, 2009 at 1:33 AM
Screw the national group send money to the candidate of your choosing.
Heading off to TEA
Col.John Wm. Reed on April 15, 2009 at 7:13 AM
ugh..I still wont support Spector. I never voted for him.
What sucks is the fact the Pittsburgh and Philly are the deciding factor in our elections. the majority of central Pa is vastly conservative. We just do not have the votes to beat them. grrr
What the hell is Steele doing anyway?
becki51758 on April 15, 2009 at 7:38 AM
Moby Comment Alert!
(They serve as Mobys for precisely these threads)
hawkdriver on April 15, 2009 at 7:56 AM
Yeeeeeesssssss!
Not only that, but everyone should fire off an email to the RNC letting them know that if they want money, they have to cut the RINOs loose. This would include Arlen Sphincter as one of the first to go.
belad on April 15, 2009 at 9:20 AM
Bunch of Fookin Cork Soakers running the RNC.
Seriously, get rid of the cancer if you want to heal the party.
Start with Donkey in elephants clothing Snowe, Collins, and Jacka$$ spectre.
NOT ONE PENNY TO THE RNC UNTIL THEY STOP SUPPORTING RINOS!!!
IF I WANT A DEMOCRAT I WILL VOTE DEMOCRAT!
STOP GIVING US DEMOCRAT LITE!
BillaryMcBush on April 15, 2009 at 10:22 AM
Look what the demoncrats tried to do to Lieberman. Specter’s completely undependable and furthermore he gives cover, aid, and comfort to other rinos. You get a kinda domino effect among that group.
cjk on April 15, 2009 at 1:29 PM
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