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Sen. Arlen Specter's primary loss continues bad 2010 for President Obama, Democrats
NY Daily News ^ | May 19th 2010 | Thomas M. Defrank

Posted on 05/19/2010 5:48:07 AM PDT by SmokingJoe

WASHINGTON - Tuesday's balloting is a fresh reminder of what all the combatants have understood for months: It's a lousy year to be a Democrat, an incumbent or President Obama.

At the very least, Democratic majorities in the Senate and House will shrink significantly this November.

For the first time, however, it's not just Republican dreamers chirping that the I-loathe-Washington riptide could cause one or both houses of Congress to flip in the fall.

"If the election were held today we'd lose both," a top Democratic strategist acknowledged. "Thank goodness it's not being held today - but we still might lose the House."

Pennsylvania was the biggest prize for anti-establishment forces. Longtime GOPer Arlen Specter's primary comeuppance is especially galling to a White House that gleefully welcomed him into the Democratic tent just a year ago.

As Specter tanked, Obama couldn't be found in the Keystone State. He and his handlers didn't want to risk more embarrassment after Obama campaigned for losing gubernatorial candidates in New Jersey and Virginia and couldn't keep state Sen. Scott Brown from claiming Edward Kennedy's Senate seat.

Ironically, Obama's approval numbers have improved lately, which aides attribute to his anti-Wall Street financial reform bill and the improving economy.

In fact, the White House is thinking harder about 2012 than 2010, which they know is pretty much a forlorn hope.

If the Republicans seize control of either chamber, Obama's legislative agenda is pretty much shredded. The GOP will be emboldened to keep saying no to bipartisanship, and several fewer Democrats in the Senate will hamstring his ability to choke off filibusters or confirm future Supreme Court nominees

(Excerpt) Read more at nydailynews.com ...


TOPICS: Government; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: 2010; 2012; specter

1 posted on 05/19/2010 5:48:08 AM PDT by SmokingJoe
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To: SmokingJoe

Ahh, what a great headline to start the day.


2 posted on 05/19/2010 5:51:27 AM PDT by Charles Martel ("Endeavor to persevere...")
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To: SmokingJoe

Sen. Arlen Specter’s primary loss continues bad 2010 for President Obama, Democrats

Bad for the Demonrats and the a$$ clown = good for America.


3 posted on 05/19/2010 5:53:14 AM PDT by Common Sense 101
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To: SmokingJoe

RINOS beware!! Our country is basically Conservative.


4 posted on 05/19/2010 5:58:48 AM PDT by real_patriotic_american
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To: Common Sense 101

Absolutely !


5 posted on 05/19/2010 5:59:15 AM PDT by Eric in the Ozarks (Impeachment !)
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To: SmokingJoe
"Ironically, Obama's approval numbers have improved lately"

Just exactly who is it that "they" are polling?! I don't believe that his poll numbers are really improving!

6 posted on 05/19/2010 6:00:01 AM PDT by CarolinaGOP ("Within the covers of the Bible are the answers for all the problems men face." - Ronald Reagan)
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To: SmokingJoe

Let’s be careful about what we wished for. We might have gotten rid of Arlen, but Sestak will be a much more formidable opponent for Toomey. He is a retired Vice Admiral who won a congressional seat in a predominantly Republican District. He comes across as personable and his looks will appeal to women. The problem is he is left of Arlen in all his leanings. He is really a liberal who will try and appear as a centrist. I really wish Arlen would have won that primary. This will be a tough test for Toomey.


7 posted on 05/19/2010 6:01:48 AM PDT by Old Retired Army Guy (tHE)
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To: SmokingJoe

Pelosi: “Drain the swamp” means to turn this Congress into the most honest and open Congress in history. That’s my pledge — that is what I intend to do.

Thanks for the “Spector”


8 posted on 05/19/2010 6:02:38 AM PDT by listenhillary (You might be a modern LIBERAL if you read 1984 & said "YEAH! That's the world that I want!")
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To: SmokingJoe
Democrat, an incumbent or President Obama.

Therefore it especially sucks to be a Democrat incumbent for whom Obama personally campaigns (Specter).

Delusional Democrats are crowing about Critz's victory in Murtha's old seat. But he was not an incumbent, he did not want or seek Obama's help, and he campaigned against just about everything Obama thinks is good and worthy.

Make no mistake: Critz's victory is not a net plus for Republicans. But it is also a repudiation of Obama and his agenda.

9 posted on 05/19/2010 6:12:00 AM PDT by behzinlea
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To: Old Retired Army Guy

“We might have gotten rid of Arlen, but Sestak will be a much more formidable opponent for Toomey”.

...my fear as well. However, this was a vote against Sphinctor, not necessarily a vote FOR Sestak. A lot can happen in 6 months, but if Toomey continually beats the “every dem voted for healthcare, stimulous etc, why would Sestak be any different” drum, he’ll pull it off.


10 posted on 05/19/2010 6:15:56 AM PDT by albie
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To: behzinlea
Delusional Democrats are crowing about Critz’s victory in Murtha’s old seat. But he was not an incumbent, he did not want or seek Obama’s help, and he campaigned against just about everything Obama thinks is good and worthy.

Make no mistake: Critz’s victory is not a net plus for Republicans. But it is also a repudiation of Obama and his agenda.

Pretty much.
Critz campaigned as pro-gun, pro-life etc. Heck he even campaigned against 0bamcare. He effectively run as a conservative, and even then won by a much smaller margin that Murtha ever did. Murtha’s seat was probably amongst the top 25 safest Democratic Party seats in the country. I 'd be quaking in my boots over the Critz victory, if I were a Pelosi/Reid/0bama Democrat.

11 posted on 05/19/2010 6:50:03 AM PDT by SmokingJoe
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To: Old Retired Army Guy
The problem is he is left of Arlen in all his leanings. He is really a liberal who will try and appear as a centrist.

It's up to Toomey to do a Carly Fiorina on him, and expose him for what he really is.:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yo7HiQRM7BA

12 posted on 05/19/2010 6:54:17 AM PDT by SmokingJoe
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To: albie
Sestak is a Liberal with a voting record of supporting his parties leadership. He can try to run from that but he can't hide.

The media is spinning last nights results as “anti-incumbent.” Arlen Specter used the same spin last night. Nice try, but it's actually Anti-Liberal. With the continued bad economy, the growth of government and the pure arrogance of this administration, like other Democrats, Sestak is a very flawed candidate.

13 posted on 05/19/2010 6:56:36 AM PDT by Rational Thought
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To: CarolinaGOP
Just exactly who is it that “they” are polling?! I don't believe that his poll numbers are really improving!

These “they” I think. LOL!

Daily Presidential Tracking Poll (-19) (OUCH!)
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2516605/posts

Hey, that article was from the Daily News. They gotta pimp for 0bama one way or another. That's what they do.

14 posted on 05/19/2010 7:48:52 AM PDT by SmokingJoe
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To: SmokingJoe

Congrats to Specter for losing both the Republican and Democrat primaries in a single election. *slow clap*


15 posted on 05/19/2010 8:55:51 AM PDT by ArcadeQuarters (Stuck with a local RINO? Donate $$$ to a different district.)
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To: Old Retired Army Guy
Let’s be careful about what we wished for.

I'm not sure you're seeing the big picture. Spector is an enemy of America. Spector is loved by big media and they have made him into a high profile tool for bludgeoning republicans, not to mention his penchant for going against Republicans every time he got a chance, when he was one. The media loved kissing his ass and taking his sound bites.

Him being gone is akin to killing the wicked witch of the west. I don't care how the election goes, seeing that pos being unceremoniously thrown out is delicious, imo. This goes WAY beyond the balance of power between the parties and it is a very significant sign that even more dems are toast. I love it!

16 posted on 05/19/2010 9:23:06 AM PDT by subterfuge (BUILD MORE NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS NOW!!!)
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To: subterfuge

And even if a Dem wins, it’s better to have an identifiable opponent you can compete against rather than funding a leftist to udnermine your own party from within. If the Dems want to keep a liberal in this seat, they have to pay their own way now.


17 posted on 05/19/2010 10:51:16 AM PDT by ArcadeQuarters (Stuck with a local RINO? Donate $$$ to a different district.)
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