After Win, Specter Looks To Fall Election (already distancing himself from Bush)

Associated Press | April 29, 2004 | Lara Jakes Jordon

[HamiltonJay]

His entire primary campaign goes against attracting moderates and cross over dems. He painted himself to the hard right, in a highly publicized race. He was not going to come out of there and be able to attract the moderates or the swing dems.

His backers aren't interested in moderates, as they are only seeking to wrest control of the party. He boxed himself into the hard right corner, and hewasn't going to get out of it.

Santorum is a conservative, but he doesn't bash his opponents for not agreeing with him. Toomey's entire campaign was based on a sitting senator with 24 years experience and deep history in the state isn't what the state needs.... and that's not going to fly in the general, that's an almost impossible sell in the primary, and the only reason he got as far as he did was because of the internal battle going on behind the scenes for control of the republican party itself.

[Frank T]

"It's called compromise. It's called politics. It's what you have to do to win. Be realistic. Toomey could never carry the state of PA."

That's not the issue. What is important is getting proper justices appointed. On that issue, there is no compromise, just win or lose.

[Shethink13]

Bush took a gamble in this race by supporting Specter. But, it is a good gamble. Specter can win in November, Toomey could not have won.

I said nothing about President Bush's decision about supporting Specter. I stated on another thread that I understood why he did it. I support the President 100% and will vote for him.

But please stop insulting my intelligence with your BS that Toomey could not have won. He most certainly could have won and the conservatives who would have put him in the general would have been fired up, walk-on-broken glass voters which would have helped Bush as well.

It seems that you fools who believed Specter would be beholden to the President because of his support cannot accept that you were dead wrong. Be a man, and just admit it.

[Solson]

You brought up Tom Ridge to disprove the position that PA is a Democratic state where moderates like Specter are more likely to win than conservatives like Toomey.

[Solson]

Mr. Jeffords, when you switched from the Republican Party to a so-called "independent" to "send the GOP a message," how did it feel?

[stainlessbanner]

The basis for your research is the NYT? FR is known for original thought and breaking research.

A bucket with holes holds more water than your defense.

[Solson]

Can you get proper justices appointed without politics? They're intimately tied together...

[Shethink13]

They'll never admit they were wrong about Specter. They're desperately trying to rewrite the facts. It seems you and I have been on the same page on this one all along.

[HamiltonJay]

Again, what generalizations?

Are you saying 1994 is not 2004 is a generalization?

Are you saying Santorums proof that he can win moderate and democratic votes is a generalization?

etc. etc.

We can agree to disagree, but if you think Politics isn't about Charisma, or that Charisma has no bearing on politics, we just live in two different worlds.

[Solson]

Specter won the PRIMARY RACE WITH LOW VOTER TURNOUT! How the hell would Toomey win a race with higher voter turnout?

Give me a break. Try to understand how politics actually work before providing empty accolades about how Toomey could win. He didn't even win the Primary.

[NittanyLion]

You brought up Tom Ridge to disprove the position that PA is a Democratic state where moderates like Specter are more likely to win than conservatives like Toomey.

Looking back at my post, I can see that I was communicating with you about moderate v. conservative electability, and another poster about the need to carry eastern PA. Looks like I got the two mixed in my mind - that wasn't the message I'd intended to send.

Sorry for the confusion.

[Shethink13]

Your totally all wet about the reason Toomey lost. There was one reason alone - PRESIDENT BUSH!

Without Bush's endorsement, Specter was gone. Toomey as the Republican candidate in a state where you want to keep the seat in the R column is going to get the President's support. Bush's support plus the advantage of a fired-up conservative base would spell an easy win for Bush and Toomey.

[NittanyLion]

They'll never admit they were wrong about Specter. They're desperately trying to rewrite the facts. It seems you and I have been on the same page on this one all along.

Yep. This rather transparent attempt at rationalizing support of a liberal is painful to watch. Some people simply can't be honest with themselves, unfortunately.

[The kings dead]

It seems that you fools who believed Specter would be beholden to the President because of his support cannot accept that you were dead wrong. Be a man, and just admit it.

Don't hold your breath.

[stainlessbanner]

Most Northern Reagan Democrats have moved to Florida or are now worried about getting their medicare and social security checks.

Did you do your detailed research at Disney World?

[Frank T]

If by hard right you mean the Founding Fathers, I suggest their message can play better than you suspect. I am dubious about the term "right wing" in whatever context, as it originates from the description of French aristocrasy, which is a world apart from constitutionally limited government. Left winger = right winger = socialist, basically. Toomey is not a socialist.

[Frank T]

"But please stop insulting my intelligence with your BS that Toomey could not have won. He most certainly could have won and the conservatives who would have put him in the general would have been fired up, walk-on-broken glass voters which would have helped Bush as well."

Which brings up the issue with how pissed off a large number of voters in Pennsylvania will be over this. Will they sit this out, and let the electoral college votes go to the Dems this upcoming election? It is more a possibility now, than a couple of days again.

[Solson]

no problem.

[bc2]

Here in NY we have a pro-abortion, tax and spend LIBERAL as our Gov. who gave us the worst and most restrictive gun control our State has ever had.

He is a "George Bush Republican" and his name is KING GEORGE PATAKI.

Republicans like these can GO TO HELL!

[Solson]

Yeah...it's amazing the lead Toomey had in the polls before Specter was supported by Bush...

Oh....

wait...

Ummm

Nevermind. Toomey never held a lead in the polls though he came close.

Toomey now supports Specter because he understands the importance. Will you?