Six more Years (Will Spectre be grateful? - NO)

The American Spectator website ^ | April 28, 2004 | Shawn Macomber

[GeronL]

PENNSYLVANIA -- In the final stretch of the statewide primary battle, incumbent Arlen Specter abandoned any rational argument for his own reelection. Instead, he released a barrage of television ads describing the race as "Pat Toomey vs. George W. Bush."

Specter spent almost no time on recounting the accomplishments of his 24 years in the Senate, preferring instead to replay Bush's five-minute "Arlen Specter is the right man for the job" endorsement. At one of his last campaign stops Monday, Specter told a small crowd that it was "very important to focus on what President Bush wants."

Well -- important when it comes to reelecting Arlen Specter. Whether it will remain important to focus on what Bush wants when it comes to Supreme Court nominees, making the tax cuts permanent, human cloning, and a host of other conservative issues remains to be seen.

Specter's comments yesterday left a lot of doubt as to whether this old dog had learned any new conservative tricks the last few months. He complained loudly that voters from "church parking lots" focused "solely on the abortion issue" had kept his "hands full" throughout the campaign. Beginning today, he will run hard to the left for the general election.

SPECTER'S NARROW WIN (51-49 percent) was by no means a blowout, and came at a great cost. He dropped more than $10 million on the race, about three times as much as Toomey spent. He was a four-time incumbent with strong, vocal support from the Republican establishment. The race should have been in the bag.

Also, moderate Republicans are now on notice that they can and will be targeted by conservative groups, and the way the Toomey revolt captured the imaginations of conservative pundits nationwide will haunt the election year dreams of more than one RINO for some time to come.

Still, the extremely low turnout in Tuesday's vote suggests that perhaps the national excitement over this race might not have trickled down to the Pennsylvania voters. Only about a third of the state's 3.1 million Republican voters actually turned out.

[GeronL]

he will run hard to the left for the general election.

[DustyMoment]

IMO, Bush's endorsement of this RINO is a clear indication of Bush's political leaning.

[GeronL]

Bush has been very much a moderate on the domestic side. No news there.

bump

[BigSkyFreeper]

IMO, Bush's endorsement of this RINO is a clear indication of Bush's political leaning.

Name a sitting president in recent history that didn't put his support, popularity and political muscle behind an incumbent Senator.

[the gillman@blacklagoon.com]

Even the worst democrat won't be any worse than Spectre.

I hope he loses the general.

[daddyOwe]

My only gripe is Specter is Pro Choice. The President is Pro Life. I disagree with Bush on his support of Specter.

[depenzz]

I just got my morning paper and was disappointed with the headlines. "Specter wins squeaker"

Toomey came so close to removing this RINO from our future.

I was disappointed that Bush endorsed Specter also but I realize thats how it happens.

It ticks me off that we in the "in between" have so little to say about Pennsylvania politics. Lets hope the "in betweens" have control of the national situation.

[BigSkyFreeper]

I disagree with those who think Bush should be taken to the woodshed. This win of Specter's is just one less seat the Republicans will have to defend. Everyone on this forum seems to be looking at the hand in front of their faces, Bush is looking beyond the horizon.

[petercooper]

Specter is more liberal than most Dems. I hope all Toomey voters stay home on election day.

[Elle Bee]

a fifth term at 74 - 80 years old and in feeble health Arland will reinvent socialism in his lame duck term and be beholden to no one

Ed Rendell, former DNC big and Philly mayor is now Gov. of PA and if Arland vapor locks guess who Rendell will appoint as Senator

Specter will be insufferable as chair of the Judiciary Committee ... bye-bye to all but liberal judges

.

[wgeorge2001]

Only about a third of the state's 3.1 million Republican voters actually turned out.

This is a shame, a liberal democrat republican elected by the foolish of Pa. and the conservative base stays at home believing they are safe from the scourge of liberalism's death culture.
What does it take for American's to rise to the defence of the American life culture and push back and destroy the ever creeping liberal death culture?

[BigSkyFreeper]

Exactly, they stayed home, and howled a fit when the morning paper showed up at the door. Way to go "true Conservatives", that's the spirit.

[LibLieSlayer]

That must be why the states CONSERVATIVE Senator endorsed Specter also.

It was ALL about retaining the seat in November, and nothing else. I am not convinced that Specter's defeat would have cost us the seat in the general election, but Senator Santorum, and President Bush were.

LLS

[Elkiejg]

Could Toomey win in Nov. if he ran as an Independent?

[RobFromGa]

Could Toomey win in Nov. if he ran as an Independent?

Not this November, and if he pulled a sore-loser stunt like that he could write off all future Novembers as well. Adults don't act that way.

[BigSkyFreeper]

If 2/3 of his supporters bothered to show up yesterday, he might have beat Specter, not as an independent, but as a true Conservative.

[guitfiddlist]

I disagree with those who think Bush should be taken to the woodshed. This win of Specter's is just one less seat the Republicans will have to defend. Everyone on this forum seems to be looking at the hand in front of their faces, Bush is looking beyond the horizon.

I'm gritting my teeth here, but perhaps this is the castor oil treatment that in the end, is best for Nov 2004. The fact that it was a squeaker - is a clear shot across the bow of every RINO Senator out there. If and when it comes down to a reliably GOP state, or if we increase our Senate margins - then RINO's beware.

Also, Pennsylvania is now in play for Bush. Having the status quo of Specter on the ticket allows Bush to concentrate on winning PA - and Specter can take care of Specter, which is the only thing HE cares about.

All that said, I'm still bummed....

[PennsylvaniaMom]

I act that way...no way will I vote for Specter. He doesn't represent my values. I won't vote for a Dem, or Liberatarian, or a Greenie, I will write in Toomey. In my assessment Specter = Hoeffel (both liberals Dims). I won't drink the party KoolAid and support Specter.

[mewzilla]

How about the red bits of NYS and PA secede to form a new state? Sounds good to me :)

[GraniteStateConservative]

Bush, 2002. Bob Smith didn't get all that.

[BigSkyFreeper]

LOL. I knew sooner or later you'd come by and post in the thread, still stinging about Bob Smith.

[freeangel]

They are looking ahead. They shudder at the thought of this jerk heading up the judiciary com. of all things. Tell us all how you appreciate him when that happens. If Bush does such a good job looking beyond the horizon, why did he leave clarke and others in to bite him on the butt.

[RobFromGa]

I act that way...no way will I vote for Specter.

I didn't say that "adult" Toomey supporters can't withhold their support from Snarlin' Arlen.

I said that Toomey couldn't do it. When he ran as a GOP candidate in this primary, IMHO he gave up the ability to run as an Independent if he lost. It just isn't done, and he would not have any chance to win statewide, heck he couldn't even win a Republican primary statewide.

It pains me to defend Specter and I really wanted Toomey to win, but we have already dodged the #1 bullet: A Specter win with the President having campaigned against him. That would have been ugly. The late surge by Toomey was a surprise to almost everyone.

[genefromjersey]

It would appear all the confident articles "proving" Spector would lose at the primaries were a bit too optimistic.

Hope the confident forecasts about President Bush as not as far off !

[BigSkyFreeper]

In 2002, Bush came to Montana to campaign for Mike Taylor for Senate (against incumbent Max Baucus (D)), who was just as Conservative if not more Conservative than Toomey ever was. Baucus couldn't handle the popularity Taylor was garnering, his seat was threatened, and so he decided to get down and dirty and label Taylor a homosexual. Taylor decided to drop out because Baucus had a huge war chest that Taylor just couldn't match.

There should have been no excuse that Toomey should have won PA and upset Specter. Toomey ran a statewide campaign that crisscrossed the state several times over and was breathing down the neck of Specter while the pundits predicted an upset, and 1/3 of the state's registered Republicans didn't even bother to show up at the polls. Mike Taylor got even more votes even after he had dropped out of his campaign because Baucus hit him with a low blow. Even many Democrats were mad at Baucus. Baucus is just as liberal as Daschle, and many hardlined Democrats voted for Taylor.

[BigSkyFreeper]

If Bush does such a good job looking beyond the horizon, why did he leave clarke and others in to bite him on the butt.

Clarke didn't bite Bush, he didn't do his damn job, period. I have no sympathy for people who get mad because they got let go or fired for not doing their jobs.

[cuz_it_aint_their_money]

Specter is more liberal than most Dems. I hope all Toomey voters stay home on election day.

Well, I for one will not be staying home on election day.
However, if Snarlin' Arlen thinks he is going to get my vote, he is mistaken. I made a vow to never cast another vote for this sorry excuse of a human being and I mean to keep that vow.
And, since I also cannot bring myself to vote for a DemonRat, I will be writing in Pat Toomey's name in protest instead.

[Formoore04]

"A Specter win with the President having campaigned against him. That would have been ugly."

But he only won because of the Bush endorsement. Now you're just making up worthless senarios to somehow feel good about this terrible outcome.

Specter would have lost in a landslide defeat if Bush endorsed Toomey. Yeah, thank God we dodged that bullet... </sacrcasm>

[BigSkyFreeper]

If Specter is such a squishy Senator, why did 1/3 of the state's 3.1 million registered Republicans stay home and sit on their hands? Then the morning after, howling at the prospects of Specter chairing the judiciary committee? Toomey campaigns his tail off, 1/3 of the states stoking the fire inside their belly, then the day of the election, a 1/3 of the Republicans don't bother to go vote, in the end Toomey comes up short. That's how it works sometimes.

[Redleg Duke]

"I hope he loses the general."

Man, what a mature comment! I suppose you are now going to sit on your hands and "send President Bush a message" this coming November! People like you are why the RATS continue to exist!

[Miss Marple]

Endorsement of the President is valuable, but I am not sure it would have helped Toomey that much. Coupled with the endorsement of Santorum, I am sure it got Arlen a couple of points. However, Toomey didn't draw the support I thought he would. Lots of people didn't vote.

My big fear of Toomey was that he would energize those democrats who are unenthusiastic about Kerry and draw them to the polls, where they would vote straight democrat. Since Pennsylvania is in play for the elctoral votes, I would have hated to lose it because of the Senate race.

The final answer to this is that Toomey just didn't garner enough support. He did finish surprisingly strong, however. Perhaps Senator Specter will be a bit more humble in his attitude. And much as I dislike him, his presence in the Senate allows us to hold the majority.

[Redleg Duke]

"Specter is more liberal than most Dems. I hope all Toomey voters stay home on election day."

Another infantile comment! Another promoter of the RAT Party.

[Born Conservative]

I wonder if there will be a recount? Last night (while FR was crashed), there was news that Bucks County erroneously gave Specter 95,000 votes (the error apparently was fixed). I'm just now going through the threads, but haven't seen anything else on this...

[petercooper]

Specter may as well be in the RAT party. I don't know how any sane conservative could vote for this scumbag.

[verity]

The logic of your position is either infantile or senile! :~)

[DustyMoment]

I am not convinced that Specter's defeat would have cost us the seat in the general election, but Senator Santorum, and President Bush were.

That may be, but with Specter in the Senate, are conservatives REALLY all that much better off? His record is every bit that of a RINO in the tradition of John McCain. If we conservatives intend to get conservatives appointed to the judiciary, having Specter in the Senate is NOT the way to get there.

[Formoore04]

"his presence in the Senate allows us to hold the majority."

And who is "us"? I am a conservative, and he his not allowing conservatives to hold a majority in the Senate.

[Miss Marple]

Well, I am a conservative Republican, and while Specter is not in agreement with me in about 50% of his votes, he allows Republicans to hold the committee chairmanships and the majority leader's position, allowing us to have a bit of control over legislation.

I think it will be a long time before only conservatives hold the majority. In the meantime, I take what I can get. Other opinions differ, but that is how I think.

[Formoore04]

"Well, I am a conservative Republican"

I suppose that modifier means all the difference. I've never met a pro-abortion, anti-tax cut, pro-big government, anti-second amendment conservative before.

But you're a "conservative Republican" so I guess it's okay.

And don't tell me you're not all of those things, because that's exactly what you're voting for when you vote for pro-abortion, pro-big government, anti-RKBA, and anti-tax cut Arlen Specter.

[ClintonBeGone]

Why should he be grateful to the people that bashed him? If you're going to kill the king, kill the king. If you don't, expect the repercussions. How naive for one to think the winner in an election would be expected to be grateful.

[LibLieSlayer]

"That may be, but with Specter in the Senate, are conservatives REALLY all that much better off"?

We are absolutely better off, in many ways, but the most important would be keeping the majority leadership, and the Chair positions that we now hold.

Maybe "some" conservatives feel more at home being the minority party, but this Republican understands the important difference in direction this country would take under the leadership of Dash-hole, and the senior Senator from Massachusetts.

LLS

[expatpat]

If Bush was smart (and he probably was), he would have extracted a promise from Specter to support the GOP in return for W's support of him.

[Redleg Duke]

Why don't you sit down, suck your thumb and hold your breath until you get your way.

We'll check back on you with our decision a a week or so.

[Petronski]

Why would he show any gratitude? He's not running again in 2010, so he literally needs no one for anything.



Either uber-liberal Hoeffel or stealth-liberal Specter will represent Penna for six more years.

And what's worse, the very best outcome (a Specter loss coupled with a net Republican gain elsewhere) is beyond the control of Pennsylvanians, so we have to support this bastard in November.


[spit]

[GraniteStateConservative]

No, actually, I was a town chair for Sununu in 2002. You must have me confused with someone else. I'm not a Smith-ie. I was just pointing out that the WH had the good sense to not back a general election loser in 2002 with Smith and repeated that strategy in 2004 with Specter-Toomey.

[petercooper]

Sounds like a plan, rino

[Redleg Duke]

Take that term rino and insert it violently in your anal oraface! I have been a conservative longer than you have been sucking your thumb, shortround. The basic difference is that I am mature enough to use tactics rather than childish emotion.

[petercooper]

down boy

[the gillman@blacklagoon.com]

The man is an enemy of the republic.

Maybe Ted Kenedy, Schumer, or the Hellbeast are worse than him, but not by much. A rookie dem senator would be unable to do any real damage.

Spectre, a domestic enemy of the Constitution, will do irreparable harm as chairman of the Judiciary committee.

One would have to hate this nation to vote for him.

[Prolifeconservative]

"I will be writing in Pat Toomey's name in protest instead."

I hope many conservatives write Toomey's name in protest and thereby cost the RINO Spectre his Senate seat. Until this sort of thing happens, the GOP will always take advantage of us true conservatives. They take us for granted and, I for one, am getting damned tired of it.

I am also damned tired of being denigrated as a "one-issue" voter thank you very much Rush Limbaugh!!!! Why heck, as long as we're winning the war and we have low unemployment, low inflation, low interest rates, and the stock market is cooking why should we really give a rat's behind if 3 or 4 thousand unborn children get butchered this year. Hey, party on dudes, IBM is going through the roof.

Can someone please tell me how Santorum turned his back on the unborn by supporting Spectre's return to the senate? I am in utter shock how this happened?