Good news: GOP Senate committee to back Specter over Toomey
posted at 4:35 pm on April 14, 2009 by Allahpundit
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.
Blowback
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I’m slamming my head against my desk.
There is a large amount of blood.
blatantblue on April 14, 2009 at 4:38 PM
I’m just going to be a skimmer on this and say, “uh, no.”
anniekc on April 14, 2009 at 4:40 PM
Yep…still banging.
Now I’m sodden with blood.
I don’t think I ever want to stop, because this nightmare won’t end.
blatantblue on April 14, 2009 at 4:40 PM
It’s like they refuse to get it
Defector01 on April 14, 2009 at 4:40 PM
The NRSC has a bunch of idiots. They canceled Sarah Palin’s appearance before she accepted and now is supporting a liberal RINO.
jencab on April 14, 2009 at 4:40 PM
Please, they’re going to target PA if they think it’s winnable. If Toomey makes it close, he’ll get his money.
But even though you don’t like Specter, he is one of the last votes preventing EFCA from being passed, isn’t he?
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
The FAIL is strong with the NRSC… Supporting Specter and cutting off Bunning? WTF?
teke184 on April 14, 2009 at 4:41 PM
What filibuster though? I could not imagine a GOP filibuster that Specter would join, since he doesn’t seem to oppose anything Obama and the Dems are doing. When you are a Republican Senator, elected by and beholden to Democrats, what’s the point?
AUINSC on April 14, 2009 at 4:42 PM
Its better to keep the brand clean. Getting rid of the people who make democrats and repubs the same will help the party in the long run…its all about protecting the brand.
The Wall on April 14, 2009 at 4:42 PM
You can’t do without him? If I had a boil on my rear, I could do without that. Not one penny to any R if they are a rino!
L
letget on April 14, 2009 at 4:42 PM
Send a message with closed pocketbooks and tell’em why. Kick him to the curb. The good old boys club needs pruning.
a capella on April 14, 2009 at 4:42 PM
That ship has sailed.
lorien1973 on April 14, 2009 at 4:43 PM
Once more expedience wins out over principle. Ain’t no way the conservatives are going to take over the GOP under these circumstances.
docdave on April 14, 2009 at 4:43 PM
Bad move, Cornyn. Your wished-for majority doesn’t mean dick with people like Specter in office.
D2Boston on April 14, 2009 at 4:44 PM
EFCA.
Proud Rino on April 14, 2009 at 4:44 PM
Hopefully the people will speak out against this by voting for Toomey and then maybe they will get it.
Brat4life on April 14, 2009 at 4:44 PM
Y’mean like the stimulus bill?
a capella on April 14, 2009 at 4:44 PM
Oh yeah… hey AP… since we’ve got the Green Room and stuff, can we get that head-banging smiley?
Please?
Skywise on April 14, 2009 at 4:44 PM
I think this is bullshit for this reason. The campaign hasn’t started yet. As in “really started”. Nobody has given a chance to Toomey (who is he btw?) to even assert himself.
It’s one thing to say at the very last minute: ok, guys, nice job but we gotta prioritize now so we’ll go with whoever’s ahead now. It’s quite something else to essentially attempt to shut down a primary campaign before it started.
If that is too vague, consider this. Out of state politicians basically tell Pennsylvania voters to eat it. “You can’t have full blown primaries in Pennsylvania. Us Texans don’t think it is wise.”
Really?
radiofreevillage on April 14, 2009 at 4:44 PM
My head is cracking open. I’m dying.
I can’t take these Rebitchlicans anymore.
blatantblue on April 14, 2009 at 4:45 PM
You reap what you sow.
TheBigOldDog on April 14, 2009 at 4:45 PM
What is this thing called the Republican Party you speak of…
right2bright on April 14, 2009 at 4:45 PM
Nuclear option. Filibuster is irrelevant.
lorien1973 on April 14, 2009 at 4:45 PM
That assumes an excessively Eeyore-ish view of the 2010 election. There is no way Republicans aren’t going to pick up seats, even if they lose Specter.
First, the party who has the presidency almost always loses seats in a mid-term election, and that is especially true if they also control Congress. Secondly, as Rove and others pointed out, Obama is already the most polarized president in history. That will only get worse, as his feel-goody shtick gets worn out and people start to realize this articulate man is pushing policies they don’t like (according to the polls).
If they economy recovers, it might help mitigate that, but not much. Because of the huge amount of spending and the Fed basically printing money, inflation is going to hit the economy like a runaway truck the second the economy starts growing.
So, to answer the question I quoted, yes, I’d rather see Specter go down because I don’t think we need him. And it will be impossible to rebrand the Republicans as a responsible and conservative party so long as people like him are the face of it.
Nessuno on April 14, 2009 at 4:46 PM
I am slamming my wallet shut … Donate direct to the candidates of your choice, not the NRSC’s choice. I don’t give to parties anymore, just candidates I choose. I recommend others follow that lead.
tarpon on April 14, 2009 at 4:47 PM
How do we know that Toomey will loose? Seriously, shouldn’t we put up the BEST person for the job; and that definitely isn’t Specter.
deidre on April 14, 2009 at 4:47 PM
If I had my way, the Green Room would be renamed the Hot Tub
blatantblue on April 14, 2009 at 4:47 PM
The national and state parties should not be spending a dime until the local party picks it’s nominee as far as I’m concerned. After that Toomey should get help from the national party. A 4 in 10 chance in a “Solid Blue” state is well worth the investment of cash. Santorum got 41% of the vote with a lousy campaign and in a very bad year for Repubs.
Toomey can still run a good campaign and 2010 is going to be better than 2006 was for Republicans.
Rocks on April 14, 2009 at 4:47 PM
Insiders always back other insiders. Which is why we need term limits.
MarkTheGreat on April 14, 2009 at 4:47 PM
Specter JUST F’ING JOINED THE DEMS ON THE PORKULUS VOTE WHEN HE COULD HAVE MADE A DIFFERENCE!!!!
WTF KIND OF RATIONALE IS THIS FOR SUPPORTING THIS TURD!!!!!
catmman on April 14, 2009 at 4:48 PM
Ah, card check. Forgot about that…thanks.
AUINSC on April 14, 2009 at 4:48 PM
Either the GOP goes RINO hunting, or it is a dead party.
Daddy-O on April 14, 2009 at 4:48 PM
Stupid Re-b*tch-licans.
blatantblue on April 14, 2009 at 4:48 PM
+1.
On which piece of legislation, exactly, is Specter more reliable for the filibuster than any handful of Democrats from conservative districts?
Lehosh on April 14, 2009 at 4:49 PM
He only acts conservative when it’s close to an election. Once re-elected he’s liberal for the next four years or so.
Don’t assume if he was re-elected that he would oppose EFCA. He can be stroked and bought, and Harry Reid knows it. Reid got Arlen to vote for the stimulus by designating 30 million for cancer research (Arlen has had lymphoma).
Arlen loves being a GOP “maverick” just as much as McCain.
Wethal on April 14, 2009 at 4:49 PM
Wait, so when it’s EFCA, you say ‘Nuclear option, filibuster is irrelevant” even though EFCA has NOT passed (yet), and when it’s the stimulus package, you say “He could have made a difference!!!!”
Those are contradictory positions.
Proud Rino on April 14, 2009 at 4:49 PM
I’d rather go down in flames with an honorable, tru Republican candidate then win with a RINO like that.
Russell28 on April 14, 2009 at 4:50 PM
Only way we have a chance of getting the govenment back to representing the people.
docdave on April 14, 2009 at 4:50 PM
Mein Gott! I agree with The Wall?
I’d rather keep the “conservative brand” more clearly defined. Specter has not respected the core definitions of “conservatism” as well as I would hope that a GOP congressman could.
I would rather throw him under the bus, and take our chances in PA, than to de-motivate the base.
connertown on April 14, 2009 at 4:51 PM
Specter’s running ads here in PA and the election is 19 months out. He’s in trouble and he knows it.
Good riddance Dem bootlicker.
fogw on April 14, 2009 at 4:51 PM
I never said he made a difference. He doesn’t. Nuclear option is on the table; democrats have already said so. 1 more vote is irrelevant.
lorien1973 on April 14, 2009 at 4:51 PM
Turns out, he might join a card check filibuster…but, honestly, I don’t trust him there either after happily caving on porkulus. If it comes down to his one vote in a filibuster, I’m not sure he could handle the pressure.
AUINSC on April 14, 2009 at 4:51 PM
Absolute disgrace. This is Rhode Island 2006 all over again. How many times do the committees have to interfere in primaries and waste money before they get the message?
This isn’t about “the best chance to hold the seat.” This is about spending money on defeating Republicans when it should be spend defeating Democrats.
God, do I hate the NRSC with a passion. Not one damned dime.
KingGold on April 14, 2009 at 4:52 PM
+ ∞
Rocks on April 14, 2009 at 4:52 PM
Yes, I agree, I think he loves being the maverick guy like McCain. That’s why McCain hates his guts.
If Specter wanted to be a Democrat, he would be. The Ds would take him in a heartbeat, because if you run Toomey against Specter in a general election, it’d be a blowout.
He’s not a liberal, he’s a moderate. There’s a difference.
Proud Rino on April 14, 2009 at 4:52 PM
I’m not exactly sure what it would do for PA, but I think it would send a strong message to Republicans and Conservatives nationwide if they gave Specter the boot.
Geez…….
Oink on April 14, 2009 at 4:52 PM
Exactly right, and PA will turn him out anyway.
clnurnberg on April 14, 2009 at 4:52 PM
What’s the difference if you have Specter or a democrat? What in the hell is wrong with Cornyn lately? He might be in trouble if he keeps it up. That Senate is a cesspool.
suzyk on April 14, 2009 at 4:53 PM
It’s kind of hard to heap cricisism on the Democrats for irresponsible, socialist spending when our own senior Senators are voting for the same stuff. As a PA voter, I will never ever vote for Spector. If Republicans won’t run a candidate who represents conservative values, I’ll find a party that does.
patriette on April 14, 2009 at 4:53 PM
I know all of the pragmatic objections to third parties, but they appear much less meaningful if the choice is between Democrats and Democrats Lite. If we get junk either way, why not work at building a third option– if it can be done without fringe loonies?
obladioblada on April 14, 2009 at 4:54 PM
What good is the filibuster without principal?
Doesn’t matter if you’re a D or an R it’s always party before
conviction these days.
ChrisM on April 14, 2009 at 4:54 PM
Spector is a moderate like Lieberman is a moderate (whatever the hell that is).
docdave on April 14, 2009 at 4:56 PM
I hope AZ dumps McCain too, I am sick of Meggie’s snout on HA every day
clnurnberg on April 14, 2009 at 4:56 PM
I didn’t leave the republican party. The republican party left me.
voiceofreason on April 14, 2009 at 4:56 PM
Honor among thieves. And this RINO thief from PA needs to get the boot.
UltimateBob on April 14, 2009 at 4:57 PM
Please let Cornyn know that his brilliant move…..STINKS….
Cornyn and Hillary created the HIBVisa program bringing in Indian workers and firing American workers….He is a snake….His ads when he ran were so snarky and laughable, but what was Texas going to do…no alternative……
nondhimmie on April 14, 2009 at 4:57 PM
Term limits are stupid. Arlen Specter is loaded with cash because there’s a well oiled machine that works for him. Why do you think the same people wouldn’t work for another guy with similar politics?
Terms limits is a restriction on you. You can’t elect certain politicians more than twice or whatever. I’m sure though that the government telling you who to/not to vote for is a conservative value these days.
radiofreevillage on April 14, 2009 at 4:57 PM
Why not? It’ll be good for Barry-America.
ManUFan on April 14, 2009 at 4:58 PM
Schadenfreude 2010!
Sounds like a cafepress bumper sticker…
batter on April 14, 2009 at 4:58 PM
Good….Toomey would get crushed in a general election. Specter will probably win reelection.
therightwinger on April 14, 2009 at 4:59 PM
If this sort of attitude — this refusal to do anything about the problem members, the RINO’s — is what is going through the GOP in general, then we may as well just forget about 2010, and 2012 while we’re at it.
ToddonCapeCod on April 14, 2009 at 5:00 PM
So, power is more important than principle? I’m seriously done with the GOP. Maybe Newt was right.
FuriousAmerican on April 14, 2009 at 5:00 PM
If the GOP only stands on principles when it’s easy to do so, we’re screwed before we start. At some point, they need to learn that there are consequences for constantly choosing political expediency instead.
OhioCoastie on April 14, 2009 at 5:01 PM
Term limits seem to work for the presidency so why not here? Any of your objections apply equally to any election.
docdave on April 14, 2009 at 5:02 PM
Imagine Specter going into a new six year term with no intention of running again.
MajorKong on April 14, 2009 at 5:02 PM
I agree with Cornyn that we need to grow the Senate Republican Conference and the best way is to have a big tent philosophy. To that end, I think there should be room for more than one NRSC in the Party. Two or three of them can better represent the diversity of opinion we seek, provide competitive, free market environment and communicate our openness to new ideas and even younger talent.
I’ll give to one that supports Toomey, or I’ll just have to send the NRSC bucks to Toomey himself.
Dusty on April 14, 2009 at 5:02 PM
Couldn’t a fiscally conservative Ham Sandwich beat him at this point? Let’s drag SOMEONE out.
marklmail on April 14, 2009 at 5:02 PM
I think we need to flood someone’s office with calls. Cornyn, you need to pull your head out and learn. Going to way of a rino is not the answer.
HornetSting on April 14, 2009 at 5:02 PM
Exactly why they never see a red cent from me.
kirkill on April 14, 2009 at 5:03 PM
Cornyn’s safe until 2014. Maybe he hopes we’ll forget by then.
Snowed In on April 14, 2009 at 5:03 PM
EXACTLY!!!
Why not throw our support behind someone who at least holds the principals rather than vote for someone who just has an (R) behind their name. This is why we lost the 2006 election. the (R)’s were not acting like (R)’s
lwssdd on April 14, 2009 at 5:03 PM
I agree with supporting both, but I doubt it’ll happen.
If Toomey wants it, he’s going to have to find enough money outside the established GOP channels. Many on the right will jump to him if he gets a good start and it looks like he’s got a chance, IMO.
He needs to raise his first couple of hundred thousand, look credible in polls, and he’s got a chance.
The NRSC isn’t going to get in the habit of backing challengers to incumbents early, much as I’d like them to dump Specter. But, if he pulls off a win in the primary, they’ll have to back Toomey in the general.
cs89 on April 14, 2009 at 5:04 PM
Isn’t a two year conservative better than a zero year conservative the Democrat will be?
Speedwagon82 on April 14, 2009 at 5:04 PM
Hey, at this point, I’d rather have a Democrat, almost any Democrat, instead of Specter. Specter does more damage from within the party than any Dem could do from the outside.
The GOP needs to bite this bullet and get it out from under our skin.
petefrt on April 14, 2009 at 5:04 PM
I think there should be a poll on this.
deidre on April 14, 2009 at 5:05 PM
We did not lose 2006 and 2008 because of RINOs. We lost because liberals were able to successfully demonize conservatives like Allen, Santorum, and Dole.
Speedwagon82 on April 14, 2009 at 5:06 PM
It’s supper time here in eastern PA and I’ve just lost my appetite. Gonna have to drink instead.
Specter(why does that remind of the bad guys in a Bond movie) is a guaranteed vote for the Dems when it really matters. If Toomey were to win the primary at least we’d have a chance of winning. Specter is a loss.
oldernwiser on April 14, 2009 at 5:07 PM
Definitely the adage ‘one rotten apple spoil the barrel’ applies with Spector, and he is not the only rotten apple in the Republican ranks.
docdave on April 14, 2009 at 5:07 PM
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?Which candidate most accurately represents what Conservatives want to see in a candidate? Win or lose, that’s who we should run.
I’m tired of trying to trick the public into picking our candidate. If they don’t like conservative principals, then they’ll vote for the (D). But don’t give them (D) and (d) as options, when we could give them (D) and (R) instead.
hawksruleva on April 14, 2009 at 5:09 PM
Specter is the GOP’s only chance to win in Penn…He’s a good fit for that state. Hardcore conservative would get wiped out in that state. Think logically.
therightwinger on April 14, 2009 at 5:09 PM
doh! strikethru was accidental. Sorry folks.
hawksruleva on April 14, 2009 at 5:10 PM
Calling Mike Steele. Calling Mike Steele…err maybe not.
Iblis on April 14, 2009 at 5:10 PM
Cronyn – one call to me and I will sue your sorry a$$ for harassment. Already told you fools a million times I no longer consider myself a republican and you get STFU! p.s. Supporting Expectorant worked out real well for Santorum, didn’t it Cornyn? Yeah, didn’t think so.
Because Cornyn, is nothing but a Washington insider now and will do anything to keep his buddy-buddies in their seats. Screw what’ better for The Republic! {p.s. pi$$ off Janet Nappy & DHS – it’s called free speech!
Branch Rickey on April 14, 2009 at 5:10 PM
As a Pennsylvanian, it my decision who I want to represent me. Not the RNC, not the NRSC and not a bunch of re-registered Democraps.
The status quo in Washington is the reason Republicans are in the minority.
GO PAT!!!!
MCPO Airdale on April 14, 2009 at 5:12 PM
actually, I used to think like that. I would say, this guy is with me 80% of the time and so you keep him around. But then there are times when you have to stand for something and for him it was the stimulus bill.
Time for him to go.
joey24007 on April 14, 2009 at 5:12 PM
Even it means a Democrat picks up his seat? Because that is what is going to happen.
therightwinger on April 14, 2009 at 5:13 PM
Not if it’s his last term, which it could be. He will be turning 80, and has had lhymphoma and a brain tumor (His health actually is the wild card in the election).
With no concern over running in 2016, goodness knows what he’d do for 6 years. His “legacy,” I presume. Lots of spending for his pet projects in return for voting with Harry.
Wethal on April 14, 2009 at 5:13 PM
What good is getting an R elected if he votes like a D 80% of the time?
Wouldn’t a moderate D be the same? Hell, maybe better if he voted like an R 80% of the time.
PappaMac on April 14, 2009 at 5:14 PM
If SPECTRE is our only chance to win there, then we really shouldn’t win there. Put another way, if we were to control 70 Senate seats, but 30 of the “GOP” senators voted with the Dems on every vote, then do we really control those seats? Who would run the Senate? Yes, the GOP would pick committee chairs, but the vote counts would favor the democrats.
That’s another reason to run a real conservative. The first reason is that we should vote our conscience, not our polling.
hawksruleva on April 14, 2009 at 5:14 PM
Just know this RNC>RNCC.RNSC. As long as you are backing RINO’s. You will not receive another dollar from me.
Mr.Specter is no longer worth my donations.
Back and support true conservative or lose money and elections.
No more. am done playing around with RINO’s. might as well put a liptard in
hawkman on April 14, 2009 at 5:16 PM
Sorry, but I wold rather lose with a principled candidate than win for the sake of expedience. Otherwise, I’m a Dem anyway. This is one of the primary differences between what we are and what we fight. Long term principle will win when the Republicans have rebranded as a true alternative rather than just a less cool version of Democrats which is where we are. That will always lose.
bagoh20 on April 14, 2009 at 5:16 PM
GOP… stuck on stupid.
Romeo13 on April 14, 2009 at 5:17 PM
Don’t worry, you won’t.
Proud Rino on April 14, 2009 at 5:18 PM
ya mon. I agree with both y’all.
Some things are just “unforgivable” in the words of that famous youtube video.
blatantblue on April 14, 2009 at 5:19 PM
on the biggest issue of the year so far … what was the difference between Specter and the Democrats?
joey24007 on April 14, 2009 at 5:20 PM
There is a Senate seat in Nebraska that could be taken over by an R. A much more Conservative state. Send the RNC support that way. At least you know they will vote Conservative.
PappaMac on April 14, 2009 at 5:21 PM
Hey r2b – thanks for the much needed laugh! ;^)
Branch Rickey on April 14, 2009 at 5:22 PM
I will not, I will NOT support or vote for Specter ever again. I will absolutely vote for Toomey in the primary.
He is no conservative, and I will not vote for someone who isn’t conservative. Period.
What a bunch of asses. All of them.
Darksean on April 14, 2009 at 5:22 PM
Go Toomey!
aigle on April 14, 2009 at 5:24 PM
I’m so sick of this BS! Thanks for nothing NRSC!
CP on April 14, 2009 at 5:26 PM
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