Posted on 04/26/2009 11:05:19 AM PDT by curth
In a sign of voter discontent within Pennsylvania's Republican Party, a poll released today shows 30-year incumbent U.S. Senato r Arlen Specter trailing one of his primary challengers by 21 points. The senate primary election will be held in May, 2010.
The Rasmussen Reports survey found that former Congressman Pat Toomey would win 51% of the GOP vote, while Mr. Specter garnered only 30%.
Mr. Toomey's favorable ratings are 66% to Specter's 42%. The rivals' negatives are 19% and 55%, respectively.
In 2004, Mr. Toomey almost knocked off the powerful incumbent, losing by just two points. A critical factor in that election was the solid support Mr. Specter received from President Bush and then-Senator Rick Santorum. Without such backing this time, and given the significant number of moderate Republicans who defected from the party last year, Mr. Specter faces an uphill battle in his quest for a sixth term.
As one of only three Republicans who broke party ranks to support President Obama's $787 billion stimulus plan, Mr. Specter's vote on the massive spending plan angered many conservatives and was a major factor in Mr. Toomey's decision to run. The poll found that 58% of Pennsylvania Republicans said they were less likely to vote for Specter because of his support for the stimulus package.
The survey also revealed that while Mr. Specter leads Toomey by eight points among moderate Republicans, he is at a distinct disadvantage in attracting conservative Republican support.
I’d like someone to make a case that Toomey has even a remote shot in a general election against a Democrat.
Sure do hope those “moderate PA Rino’s” don’t step on their Durbin’s this time around.
My beautiful state has totally gone blue pretty much. I still blame Ridge. He started the fall when he left the governor’s job and basically his seat went Democratic and we have not been the same since.
30 year incumbent? That’s his biggest flaw. Time to go, Arlen.
How is Sphincter better than a Democrat?
Oh my county Lehigh Valley will vote for Toomey FOR SURE. We loved him when he was representing us....now for the rest of the state?????
He’s not. But that wasn’t my point/question.
I think Chris Dodd is also behind by 16 points in recent polls.
I'm not sure what the AZ polls are for McCain yet. Time for him to go.
But your point/question IMPLIES that it’s important not to let the seat “fall” to a Democrat and that to prevent that “disaster” we should drop our idealism and support an R who can win (Specter).
Isn’t that what you’re getting at?
In a couple months, Arlen will be connected to “The Magic Ballot” theory, no doubt.
Not really. I want Toomey to knock off Specter. It will send a solid message to our party. However, I want to believe that Toomey can win the general - although I don’t see any evidence that he can. None, really.
Ok. My apologies.
I live in NJ and don’t follow PA internal politics much. If you say it’s impossible, I have to take your word for it.
That won’t stop me from sending Toomey money.
Maybe none of us have a chance against the combined forces of leftism and islamism... that doesn’t make me want to give up and support our marxist/muzzie president.
Sometimes you just have to fight, and not calculate the odds.
I think Toomey vs. Sphincter is one of those times. I’m sending Toomey money for his campaign this week.
Wouldn't that be too sweet? Two elections in a row. Beat the road, RINO....
Any chnace the Repubs will have ONLY closed primaries to keep RINOs from winning with crossdressing...uh, I mean crossover votes?
Maybe he doesn’t, but if they elect Specter, they might as well elect a Democrat.
Would that be 21 Scottish points he’s down by, or the American ones? Being that Specter cites his international legislative standards whenever practical I just want to be sure.....
Let all rinos quake in their hooves.
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