"Specter Is Not Worthy of GOP Support" By Doug Patton

Free Republic Network ^ | 4-29-04 | Doug Patton

[Bob J]

RINO: An acronym for "Republican In Name Only." A confused creature most commonly found in the United States Senate. For more information, see "Olympia Snowe," "Lincoln Chafee" and especially "Arlen Specter." At some point, George W. Bush and his chief political advisor, Karl Rove, apparently decided that supporting so-called "mainstream" Republicans, without regard to their political ideology, was a wise political strategy. I cannot imagine why, since their previous endorsements of liberal Republicans have been embarrassing disasters.

They did it in the 2002 California governor's primary by endorsing former Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan, a pro-abortion, big-government liberal, over a solid fiscal and social conservative, businessman Bill Simon. Simon won that primary but went on to lose the general election to the now-discredited Gray Davis. The president went to California to campaign for Simon, but it was too little, too late. Now the Golden State has Arnold (Kennedy) Schwarzenegger in their governor's mansion.

The White House made the same blunder that year in the Iowa GOP primary campaign for the U.S. Senate. Middle-of-the-road GOP Congressman Greg Ganske was up against a conservative ex-marine farmer named Bill Salier for the Republican nomination to run against ultra-liberal incumbent Democrat Sen. Tom Harkin in the fall. With support from the president and the party apparatus, Ganske amassed ten times the financial resources available to Salier. Nevertheless, toward the end of the primary campaign, Salier was gathering so much momentum by the sheer force of his message that Ganske was forced to call upon the White House to pull out all the stops to save him from this upstart insurgency.

Ganske won that primary, but when the smoke had cleared, he discovered he had given up 41 percent of the vote to the young firebrand. Voters who desired a real alternative to Harkin instead got, in Ganske, exactly what Salier had predicted: "liberal-lite." Harkin easily won a fourth six-year term in the United States Senate.

This year, history is repeating itself. President Bush and the GOP establishment are supporting, endorsing and promoting the candidacy of Pennsylvania's senior senator, Arlen Specter. At 74, Specter has been in the senate for 24 years. In that time, he has made a career out of wearing the Republican label while championing liberal policies that are anathema to virtually everything in his party's platform.

Known on the Hill as "Snarlin' Arlen" and "the meanest Senator in Washington," Specter is notorious for snubbing conservatives and their policies until he needs their support for re-election. His pitch is generally that for them to do otherwise might upset the delicate balance of power in the Senate. Well, this year, the pitch may not work, because Arlen Specter is facing the primary fight of his political life. This year a true Republican is in the race, a congressman named Pat Toomey, who actually supports GOP values. Imagine that.

This man would be the odds-on favorite if Specter were not running for a fifth term. But, of course, the GOP establishment won't give him the time of day. Three weeks ago, Toomey was 15 points behind in the polls. Last week, the gap had closed to five points-so alarmingly close that Specter felt the need to call upon the President of the United States to come out and personally save him from a humiliating primary loss.

Dr. Greg Ganske has gone back to his cosmetic surgery practice in Des Moines. In Los Angeles, Richard Riordan is now retired. It is my sincere hope that very soon Arlen Specter will join them in some endeavor other than that of United States Senator. On Tuesday, April 27, the voters of Pennsylvania have a chance to send a real Republican Senator to Washington, and in the process send a message to the White House: Stop endorsing RINOs! ________________________________________________________

Doug Patton is a freelance columnist who has served as a speechwriter and policy advisor for federal, state and local candidates, elected officials and public policy organizations. His weekly columns are published in newspapers across the country, and on selected Internet web sites, including www.GOPUSA.com, where he serves as the Nebraska Editor. He also writes for Talon News Service (www.TalonNews.com). Readers can e-mail him at dpatton@neonramp.com.

© 2004 Free Republic Network, Inc. All rights reserved.

[First_Salute]

I suspect that Pennsylvania will vote for George W. Bush, but it will not re-elect Specter.

[Doctor Stochastic]

Specter Is Not Worthy of GOP Support" By Doug Patton

Or more accurately:

Doug Patton Endorses Hoeffel

[Texas Federalist]

Doug Patton Endorses Hoeffel

So . . . a Hoeffel victory will do more for the conservative cause.

[twigs]

I loathe Arlen Specter. However, I plan to control my emotions in the voting booth come fall. Arlen is an old man; this is his last run. Hoeffel is a young and energetic one. I want him stopped before he gains Arlen's background and influence.

[Willie Green]

Or more accurately:
Doug Patton Endorses Hoeffel

Yep, that's the same old Karl Rove flip-flop that's used to consistantly screw the conservative base each and every time. Support the RINO, then accuse conservatives of supporting the 'Rats. It's so patheticly predictable it's nauseating. I'm tired of conservative principles getting backstabbed by the neocons in this manner.

[Cicero]

If I were registered in Ohio I would vote for the Democrat. Specter will do NOTHING to help on the key votes for conservative judges, the most important issue in the next four years. Better to elect the Democrat and hope to get him out next time around. Far better.

[The Old Hoosier]

Better Hoeffel than Specter.

[ApesForEvolution]

Nice. Perfect in fact...the reality is, most Conservatives in this forum aren't, and the grassroots ability of Conservatives scares the status quo Socialists or 'Compassionate Conservatives' to death. And so we get more of the same old dead-end BS.

[The Old Hoosier]

Specter will do NOTHING to help on the key votes for conservative judges, the most important issue in the next four years.

Oh yes he will do something. He will BLOCK ALL CONSERVATIVE JUDGES. He is an untrustworthy opportunist, a snake, a weasel, whose promises are as worthless as Satan's. And we're stuck with him, thanks to Santorum and Bush, who are keeping the old boys' club together.

Conservatives should show up and vote for Bush, and also vote for Jim Clymer (Constitution Party) for U.S. Senate, or write-in Steve Friend.

[Mrs. Ranger]

Well the "good news", if it's true, is that Jim Clymer will give us an alternative to "holding our nose" or voting for Hoeffel.

After all, since, as we're *constantly* told here, the Dims outnumber the Repubs in PA, but "Snarlin' Arlen" will win, no matter what, (don't ask me to explain *that* logic ;) at least I'll have a reason to go to the polls. ;)

[GOP_1900AD]

This is a retrospective look at the big mistake Bush made in supporting the less well equipped candidate. Why are you turning this into a smear which equates the author's purely conservative critique of Bush's wrong headedness with this automatic incumbent support doctrine, with "supporting the liberal opponent." IT'S RETROSPECTIVE!!! Are you a believer in the 3rd way? Tell the truth.

[Willie Green]

Conservatives should show up and vote for Bush, and also vote for Jim Clymer...

LOL!
Please forgive if that struck me funny...
but good grief, I sure hope you're not talking about the infamous "Clymer".
I still need another cup of coffee before I can handle that kind of humor today.

[Digger]

Oh yes he will do something. He will BLOCK ALL CONSERVATIVE JUDGES. He is an untrustworthy opportunist, a snake, a weasel, whose promises are as worthless as Satan's. And we're stuck with him, thanks to Santorum and Bush, who are keeping the old boys' club together

While you all are dealing with the individual this "Two-Party Cartel"' bought & paid for by the elites, that have no desire in a conservative agenda being put forth, continually erode us to serfdom. BOTH parties are equally responsible. Their allegience is to each others party & NONE to us individuals. They BOTH must be eliminated.

[Solson]

Hey, uhh, Doug, why do you think Bush supported Riordan over Simon? Simon LOST to Gray Davis. Riordan would have won. That's pretty simple now isn't it? Now, apply the same logic to Arlen Specter and you can see support for Specter by the White House was an astute political move.

[The Old Hoosier]

Riordan would have won.

Riordan is to the left of Schwarzenegger. It would not have been worth electing him.

[The Old Hoosier]

I disagree. We should support Bush because he is the lesser of two evils. But in Specter's case, Hoeffel is the lesser of two evils because he won't be judiciary chairman. The NRSC should spend its money in the South, where we can get some real Republicans elected and make up for Pa.

You can't cut off your nose to spite your face if you don't have a nose. There's nothing to lose in this election, because Specter is not worth electing.

[Solson]

So it can be assumed, can it not, you believe GRay Davis performed better for California than a Riordan Governorship would have?

[Tribune7]

If Bush wins Pa., Specter is in. If he doesn't, Specter is out. Don't expect conservative Dems or city blacks to split their ticket for him.

FWIW, I'm just pulling the R lever.

[The Old Hoosier]

No. Riordan may have been less corrupt, but why vote for him in a primary when you have a better choice? That's what primaries are for, isn't it?

When you elect left-wing Republicans, you let the whole political discussion move to the left until it becomes harder to elect a conservative. This has happened in NY, IL, and a handful of other states, and now even liberal Republicans can't win there anymore. It does not benefit anyone.

Simon imploded halfway through his campaign, but it was because he's stupid, not because he's conservative.

When the choice is to elect leftist Republicans, you're usually better off letting the leftist Democrats screw things up, and then conservatives come and save the day. If you believe in conservative governance, you have to believe it will work and satisfy people in time.

It's just not true that only ideologues vote for conservatives. Don Carcieri (RI) is probably the most conservative governor in the country right now, and Rhode Island is hardly a conservative state. Same with Minnesota's Tim Pawlenty, and Florida's Jeb Bush. If you run and govern like a conservative and don't screw up with personal scandals, you can do a lot of good, and draw the whole political discussion to the right, because people can't argue with success.

[The Old Hoosier]

Please don't vote for Specter. Save the pro-life movement from his evil hands.

[Tribune7]

I told the Specter supporters I'd vote for the winner of the primary and I'll keep my word. Anyway, looking at it as emotionlessly as I can, Hoeffel's worse.

[nickcarraway]

Riordan would have won.

Excuse me, but do you know anything about California? Riordan had no chance of winning against Davis in 2002. Riordan couldn't even win the primary with an overwhelming lead. He ran a horrible campaign, and gave everbody the impression he was senile.

I don't think Californians would pick Riordan over Davis, given that Riordan was one of Davis' top campaign contributors, plus he admitted that Davis was doing a good job.

Riordan made a speech at the Republican convention saying how terrible George Deukmajan and Ronald Reagan were, and how he had no use for Republicans in general. Great way to win support. Riordan also alienated Rudy Giuliani, because Giuliani asked him to have a fundraiser for him in his 200 Senate race against Hillary Clinton. Riordan turned him down, because he is ``too close to the Clintons.'' And by the way, check who Riordan has given money too, all left wing Dems like John Burton, Maxine Waters, Feinstein, and Boxer.

He had little to campaign against Davis with. As the Sacramento Bee said, the only differences in Davis and Riordan's politics were when Rionrdan's ``jutted out to the left.''

Riordan would never have beaten Davis. Plus, Californians have returned every governor since 1943 to a second term. Simon was able to get very close, without much backing from the state party?

[First_Salute]

Hold nose, pull lever (pronounced "leever") for Specter.

[First_Salute]

Bump.

[zippoman]

Shouldn't you be getting zotted right now? You are actively opposing the goals of the GOP which is against the stated goals of this forum.

[First_Salute]

My concern: Specter will work with President Bush to install Sandra O'Connor as the new Chief Justice, and then President Bush will learn the hard way yet again, that President Bush's selection to replace O'Connor's seat, is betrayed by Spector, because that is Specter's nature.

Specter has made no committments to supporting President Bush's selections for judges.

Spector has only said that "President Bush believes that he needs my re-election."

Spector will sit on the Judiciary Committee, in a position for which much of our rights will be negotiated away by the President, because we're all supposed to be pragmatic deal makers, here, and we're supposed to accept the "new paradigm" party line that a win is a win is a win.

caveat emptor

Vote for George W. Bush, is all I have to suggest.

I do not trust Arlen Specter at all.

[The Old Hoosier]

We are trying to move the GOP, not blindly support it.

[GOP_1900AD]

The 3rd way crowd who come here do not want real primaries. They want smokey back rooms where the designated 3rd way torch bearers get told they will run.

[zippoman]

Well, I know I suuport the GOP, but then I'm not the one asking people to vote for a DEMOCRAT!

[ClintonBeGone]

I cannot imagine why, since their previous endorsements of liberal Republicans have been embarrassing disasters.

They did it in the 2002 California governor's primary by endorsing former Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan, a pro-abortion, big-government liberal, over a solid fiscal and social conservative, businessman Bill Simon. Simon won that primary

How can one equate a situation where 'they' endorsed a candidate (Riodan) and he lost the primary with one where 'they' endorsed a candidate and he won? Doesn't it have more to do with the candidate and the electorate than 'their' endorsement?

[ClintonBeGone]

Yep, that's the same old Karl Rove flip-flop that's used to consistantly screw the conservative base each and every time. Support the RINO, then accuse conservatives of supporting the 'Rats. It's so patheticly predictable it's nauseating. I'm tired of conservative principles getting backstabbed by the neocons in this manner.

Willie, when was the last time you even voted for a republican for federal office?

[F16Fighter]

"There's nothing to lose in this election, because Specter is not worth electing."

Worth repeating.

[Ogie Oglethorpe]

The same people who now tell us to vote for liberal Arlen because he's the only one who could beat Hoeffel (since Toomey was too conservative for PA)...

...are the same ones who, in two years, will tell us to vote for conservative Rick Santorum (who, somehow, will not be too conservative for PA) because...

(true answer in both cases): the RNC told them to.

Keep that kool-aid flowing...

[lasereye]

Specter will do NOTHING to help on the key votes for conservative judges, the most important issue in the next four years.

If his losing tips Senate control to the Democrats, a distinct posibility, those judges will never come up for a vote at all, as Kennedy or Leahy will run the judiciary committee. Is your memory that bad?

[Edit35]

If I were registered in Ohio I would vote for the Democrat. Specter will do NOTHING to help on the key votes for conservative judges, the most important issue in the next four years. Better to elect the Democrat and hope to get him out next time around. Far better.

If Pennsylvania were not an "in-play" battleground state, I would agree.

But we cannot afford to give Hoeffel and the Dems one inch. If the Dems smell victory, they will pull out all the stops to get out their base, including inner city voter registration drives, vote tally switcheroos, numerous Kerry and Kennedy visits, etc.

As much as I despise Specter, I plan to hold my nose and keep the Dems as disheartened as legally possible.

I feel that President Bush has an 70-percent chance of taking Pennsylvania this November, and that would be a huge gain for the GOP, considering Gore won the state (and its 29 electoral votes) last time.

All I can say is that Specter had better appreciate what GWB and Sen. Santorum did for him this primary. By that I mean he had better spend every last cent in his campaign warchest just to push GWB over the top.

[A Jovial Cad]

*The same people who now tell us to vote for liberal Arlen because he's the only one who could beat Hoeffel (since Toomey was too conservative for PA)...

...are the same ones who, in two years, will tell us to vote for conservative Rick Santorum (who, somehow, will not be too conservative for PA) because...

(true answer in both cases): the RNC told them to.

Keep that kool-aid flowing...*

Cheap rhetorical nonsense. Ease up on your use of tinfoil.

[A Jovial Cad]

*Or more accurately:

Doug Patton Endorses Hoeffel*

Precisely. "Pure" conservative's making the perfect the enemy of the good (or, in Spector's case, I'll admit, the mediocre) are going to hand the United States Senate to the Dimocrats with stuff like this.

[nopardons]

The purists,here,would much rather LOSE,than win.

It's their " vaunted principles";don'tcha know.LOL

They would much prefer to have THE worst possible Dems elected to EVERY elected position,than have any kind of win.And they make it abundantly clear just how unreliable a voter they are,which,in turn,makes the GOP go somewhat more leftwards,in search of votes,whifch drives them even MORE franticly fringe.It's a lose/lose situation for them;which is precisely what they adore.

Thank GOD that they are in the minority,here,and in real life.:-)

[TigersEye]

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 -...

Is Hoeffel to the left of that? Is it possible to be left of that?

[A Jovial Cad]

*Better Hoeffel than Specter*

Either you forgot to turn the Sarcasm *off*(/), or you've taken a wrong turn on the Internet highway. In case it's the latter, I'll be more than pleased to help you with directions.
You are currently *at* Free Republic. As a rule, the folks here support Republicans over Democrats for elective office. Specter is a Republican. He's by no means a *perfect* Republican, to be sure, but he does add one more vote in a quorum call that decides who controls the U.S. Senate--Dims or GOP--and who gets all those critical chairmanships of crucial committees (which is how legislative business gets done). Hoeffel, on the other hand, is a Democrat. *His* election would only help that party, and the agenda of the Left. There *is* a website out there where the line "Better Hoeffel than Specter" would be warmly applauded. I'd be happy to provide you with the URL, if you're interested. I'm always delighted to help someone who's apparently lost find their way home.

[A Jovial Cad]

*Well, I know I suuport the GOP, but then I'm not the one asking people to vote for a DEMOCRAT!*

Exactly right. A few of these folks seem willing to turn all power over to the liberal Dimocrats, as long as they get to vote for a "pure" conservative once every two years in November. They are the mini-Ralph Naders on the Right.

[A Jovial Cad]

*Anyway, looking at it as emotionlessly as I can, Hoeffel's worse*

You're right--I'm certainly no Specter fan, but Hoeffel is worse. And his victory would mean one less vote to help the GOP control the Senate.

[Jorge]

If I were registered in Ohio I would vote for the Democrat. Specter will do NOTHING to help on the key votes for conservative judges...

Somehow I find it hard to believe that someone who would vote for a Democrat is really concerned about confirming conservative judges in the first place.

[Tribune7]

His winning in Nov. will depend entirely on Dubya's popularity. Nor will he bring anybody to the polls on his own -- except maybe his wife. I think she might end up voting for Kerry.

[Sun]

Show the "experts" they are wrong. Vote for President Bush, but don't vote for Specter. We are conservative independent thinkers - not RINOs.

It's wrong to vote for a pro-abortion liberal Dem OR a pro-abortion liberal Republican. It sends the wrong message to the major parties. Vote 3rd party or do a write-in.

If Specter wins in November, he will do irreparable harm to the judicial courts, as he will be put in charge if Orin Hatch resigns (I heard he intends to). I would think that if Specter loses this fall, and Orin Hatch resigns, Conservative John Kyle, who is on the judiciary committee would be in charge of it.

Now about Arlen Specter's "loyalty" to President Bush:

From the New York Times:

"Specter, Victory in Hand, Now Pushes Bush Away"

"Just hours after he had squeaked by a conservative opponent in a grueling primary, Senator Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania on Wednesday began emphasizing his independence from the man who many Republicans believe carried him to victory, President Bush."

"I intend to retain my independent voice. The people of Pennsylvania have not elected me to be a rubber stamp," Specter said.

"I don't give anybody a blank check, including the president of the United States."

DOES SPECTER DESERVE YOUR VOTE?

[A Jovial Cad]

*Willie, when was the last time you even voted for a republican for federal office?*

Ha, ha,...yep! That pretty much sums it up across the board for all of those pining away for a Hoeffel (Dim) victory in PA. They reject the good--or, in Specter's case, the mediocre--in search for that elusive "perfect" conservative candidate who never seems to be running, at least to their "perfect" satisfaction.
Myself, I'd prefer Pennsylvania voters got another choice like Rick Santorum to vote for against Hoeffel, as opposed to Specter. But I'd take Specter over Hoeffel any day of the week. He's still another Republican vote, if little else, to maintain GOP control of the Senate.

[Doctor Stochastic]

The question isn't Spector or Hoeffel, it's Frist or Daschle.

I wonder if Daschle is a mystery fan; he could name his son Dashiell.

I wonder if James Caviezel is a fan of the cooking network; he could name his son Dweezil.

( I do know a Tyler Taylor and I heard of a Rene Renaud.)

[A Jovial Cad]

*If his losing tips Senate control to the Democrats, a distinct posibility, those judges will never come up for a vote at all, as Kennedy or Leahy will run the judiciary committee. Is your memory that bad?*

Well-said, and exactly right.