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

Associated Press | April 29, 2004 | Lara Jakes Jordon

[Russ]

It took Specter less than 24 hours to start turning his back on Bush and Santorum and heading back to his leftist supporters in the Democrat Party. I hope all those conservatives who voted for him are happy now. I will vote for the Green Party candidate in Nov. before I will vote for Specter.

[The kings dead]

Less than a day after his primary victory, Specter touted his efforts to trim tax cuts, retain overtime pay for workers, resist school vouchers and continue embryonic stem-cell research - all in opposition to President Bush.

Take a bow, all you keen FR political strategists who told us how supporting Specter would advance conservatism.

[republicanwizard]

We were already aware of these details, and it comes as no surprise that Senator Specter would attempt to back to the center to win the general election.

[Huck]

He's just playing the game. You think Santorum or GWB are surprised by this? They made a calculated choice. I'd love to hear off the record Santorum's rationale for that choice, out of curiosity.

[stevio]

Grrrrrrrr!

[DM1]

the rationale would most likely be that incumbents are favored to win.
they need to keep as many seats as they can due to unexpected retirements and close calls like Colorado, OK and Alaska.

[Russ]

It sounds to me like he's moving a little farther than to the "center". He's a political scoundral the likes of which Pennsylvanians have seldom seen, unless we look at his pal the Governor...

[RetroSexual]

I've rarely voted for a Democrat, and have never given money to one, but I might make a small contribution to the Hoeffel campaign. Specter has to be stopped, and I see little difference between him and a typical Democrat, except that the Dem will not head the Judiciary committee. Thoughts?

[Condor51]

I saw Arlen's little anti-Bush tirade on FNC, it made me wanna puke.

And this maggot Arlen is going to be the NEXT chairman of the judiciary committee if the republicans hold the senate. Dubya can kiss all his judges bye-bye. Sen Sphincter won't even let them out of committee. He'll join up with Chuckie Schmuckster and the rest of the RATS.

And Arlen still says his fighting for Clarence Thomas was his biggest mistake and won't make one like it again. The RATS have won.

[LS]

First of all, I supported Toomey.

Second of all, I support Specter vs. any Dem short of Zell Miller.

Third of all, moving to the center in a general election where Dems outnumber Repubs by 1/3 million is hardly unusual or unexpected.

What it does suggest is what many people here guessed: that in the general Toomey would have had a harder time.

[dead]

Less than a day after his primary victory, Specter touted his efforts to trim tax cuts, retain overtime pay for workers, resist school vouchers and continue embryonic stem-cell research - all in opposition to President Bush. The four-term Republican also called the situation in Iraq a "tinderbox" that could be a problem for the president in the fall elections.

Hey! Your boy won! Congratulations!

Head of the Judiciary Committee as well! What a victory for conservatism coast to coast.

[gdc61]

I believe it is imparitive that Specter NOT get reelected in November. I am a very conservative Toomey supporter but will be voting for a liberal demacrat come Nov.

GO HOUFFEL!!! (or how ever its spelled)

[CaptainK]

I don't blame Bush or Santorum. I blame the Republican voters of Pennsylvania. Thanks a lot.

[Truth29]

ping

[republicanwizard]

Please. If you cannot morally vote for Specter, then you cannot morally vote for Hoeffel. Don't think we're stupid. If you can't vote for a pro-choice Republican, then you certainly cannot vote a pro-choice Democrat, unless you are one of two things. A Democrat or a liar.

[Coop]

What it does suggest is what many people here guessed: that in the general Toomey would have had a harder time.

If that were the case, then Santorum would not be Senator.

[republicanwizard]

He won 49% of the vote in 1994. Seriously.

[Dane]

I believe it is imparitive that Specter NOT get reelected in November. I am a very conservative Toomey supporter but will be voting for a liberal demacrat come Nov.

Then you will go against the expressed wishes of the candidate that you supported, Toomey.

Toomey has endorsed Spector.

[Luis Gonzalez]

When elected, do politicians owe their loyalty to their Party, or to their constituents?

[Sunshine Sister]

You and me both. I can't imagine why GWB and Santorum didn't support Toomy. But then again, I can't understand half of what they have done in Washington in the last 3 years.

They have expanded spending, they took away my right to political free speech while protecting incumbents....go figure.