Poll shows Toomey surging as GOP Senate primary nears

USA Today ^ | 4/20/04 | anonymous

[Redbob]

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A surge in support for conservative challenger Rep. Pat Toomey one week before the primary has narrowed incumbent Sen. Arlen Specter's lead in Pennsylvania's Republican race for U.S. Senate to a scant five percentage points, according to a poll released Tuesday.

In a Quinnipiac poll released April 7, Specter held a comfortable lead of 15 percentage points. The primary is April 27.

Fifty-one% of the respondents in the latest poll said they considered the moderate Specter, who is seeking a fifth term, "too liberal," up from 43% in the previous survey. Only 14% said they consider Toomey too conservative. ........

Toomey's candidacy is seen as the strongest challenge to a sitting senator, and the primary contest is seen by conservatives as a litmus test of the strength of the GOP's right wing. .............

Toomey said his growing support is a strong signal that more Pennsylvania voters agree with his political ideology than that of Specter or Rep. Joe Hoeffel, the presumptive Democratic nominee.

"Specter spokesman William Reynolds replied: "There's nothing wrong with being conservative, but there is something wrong with being off the charts."

President Bush has endorsed Specter...

[Redbob]

Haven't seen/couldn't find this posted previously, and it looks like good news for Toomey supporters.

[OneTimeLurker]

"President Bush has endorsed Specter..."

They are such wimps.

[princess leah]

I'm praying for hard rain on Sunday in Washington DC (to SOP those ABORTION activists protesting) and on Tuesday, I'll be praying hard for PA republicans to go VOTE for PAT TOOMEY and help conservative politics - I'd be jealous if they had Santorum and Toomey as their reps...I have atleast one good senator in Jon Kyl and well, I won't talk about McCain!

[Frohickey]

I'd be jealous if they had Santorum and Toomey as their reps...I have atleast one good senator in Jon Kyl and well, I won't talk about McCain!

Lucky you. I have Senator Feinswine and Boxer to deal with. :(

[Doug Loss]

Folks, if we can do it, you can do it too! Toomey wasn't dropped down on us from above, we're working very hard to put him where he belongs, in the Senate!

[votelife]

“The worst Republican Senator” -- National Review

“…not many people love Arlen Specter.” -- Randall Miller, history professor
and political analyst at Saint Joseph's University in Philadelphia.

“Arlen Specter would drive over his own grandmother ... to win.” Political commentator Charles Cook

“He's a pal of the trial lawyers.” – Wall Street Journal

“…a perpetual irritant to Washington conservatives…consistently one of the
most liberal votes in the GOP.”— Tim Carney, Evans-Novak Report journalist

“Specter’s disloyalty to the party has become legend.” – Paul Weyrich

“Arlen Specter's support is only an inch deep.” Tom Adkins

“the most harmful [GOP Senator]” -- National Review

“Mr. Specter is well-known in Washington as a liberal Republican with a long
record of derailing tax cuts, shilling for Big Labor and acquitting
President Bill Clinton (citing ancient Scottish Common Law principles). “ –
Tim Carney

[votelife]

Let me spell out why Bush and Santorum are supporting a RINO. They have probably been politically blackmailed. Or there has been a horse trade...Specter was in a very strong position after Jeffords switched. He probably said to Bush, you want your tax cut, then give me your support. He also may have twisted Santorum's arm. It's what politicians do.

remember that it's Specter and his increased power due to a split Senate that is the real problem

[petercooper]

Toomey is Presidential material.

[maryz]

Lucky you. I have Senator Feinswine and Boxer to deal with. :(

Don't complain. I have (shudder) Kennedy and Kerry!

[Brett66]

If they can defeat Specter, then that will serve as a wake up call to the other rino's as well.

[EternalVigilance]

...the moderate Specter...

Ha ha.

USSR Today isn't biased, are they...

[Barlowmaker]

They have probably been politically blackmailed. Or there has been a horse trade...Specter was in a very strong position after Jeffords switched. He probably said to Bush, you want your tax cut, then give me your support. He also may have twisted Santorum's arm. It's what politicians do.

Could you share your sources for these damning allegations?

[My2Cents]

I have (shudder) Kennedy and Kerry!

Barbara Boxer is simply John Kerry in drag, or vice versa.

[votelife]

pure speculation, but if you think that Specter wouldn't cross Bush if Bush endorsed Toomey, well...

[ken5050]

amen, brother...if Toomey beats Arlen, then wins the general election, with Bush carrying PA..well, that's a political tsunami...It would mean a Bush mandslide, a gain of 5-7 Senate seats, and the RINO would be an exticnt species....

[Barlowmaker]

Specter votes how he pleases whenever he pleases. The guy has a 50 ACU rating.

It's impossible for me to believe that either President Bush or Senator Santorum would be party to any political extortion. You can challenge their judgement, but I think you are on thin ice if you are challenging their integrity.

[votelife]

It's standing policy to endorse incumbents. If Bush or Santorum did otherwise, then they'd be at Specter's mercy. Specter doesn't need to make any threats for Bush and Santorum to know this. All he has to do is ask Bush and Santorum to help them. If they don't then, your guess is as good as mine:
"Specter votes how he pleases whenever he pleases", but I for one wouldn't like to see what he'd do if Bush and Santorum broke the incumbent protection plan.

[Barlowmaker]

Well, I join you in hoping for a Toomey win.

[uncitizen]

I hope Toomey won't be travelling by small plane before this election.

[eureka!]

Go Toomey Go. Meanwhile, it looks like Dasshole is whining about what appears to be a 527 running ads in SD. LOL, check this out (may be deserving of a post):

http://www.rapidcityjournal.com/articles/2004/04/22/election/us_senate/991senate.txt