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Specter Trails Toomey by Twelve

August 13, 2009 By Jeff Leave a Comment

The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Pennsylvania voters is enough to warm my cynical heart:

Uncomfortable town hall meetings are just the tip of the iceberg for Pennsylvania Senator Arlen Specter. He now trails Republican Pat Toomey by double digits in his bid for reelection next year and is viewed unfavorably by a majority of the state’s voters.

The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Pennsylvania voters shows 48% would vote for Toomey if the election were held today. Just 36% would vote for Specter while four percent (4%) prefer a third option, and 12% are not sure.

These figures reflect a dramatic reversal since June. At that time, before the public health care debate began, Specter led Toomey by eleven.

Ouch… One has to wonder if the Democrats will even nominate Specter.

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Rep. Joe Sestak to Chalenge Arlen Specter

May 27, 2009 By Jeff Leave a Comment

TPM is reporting that Rep. Joe Sestak (D-PA) is privately telling supports that he intends to challenge newly minted Democratic incumbent Arlen Specter:

“He intends to get in the race,” says Meg Infantino, the Congressman’s sister, who works at Sestak for Congress. “In the not too distant future, he will sit down with his wife and daughter to make the final decision.”

The move would constitute a primary challenge to Sen. Arlen Specter (D-PA), who intends to run for re-election in 2010, after having switched parties earlier this year.

Earlier today, a Sestak volunteer and contributor received a handwritten note from Sestak himself, announcing his intent to run and asking for a contribution. The source provided TPMDC a scan of the letter:

The note says, “I am writing you as especially dear supporters to let you know I intend to run for the U.S. Senate…my candidacy’s credibility will have much to do with my fundraising success by the 30 June FEC filing deadline at the end of this quarter. Would you help me bring the change for the future we Pennsylvanians need[?]“

Arlen Specter is an difficult position politically he’s percieved as to “conservative” for many on the left and to “liberal” for many the right… At first glance Rep. Sestak seems to be facing an uphill fight just on name recognition, but if he can garner a enough support from the netroots Sen. Specter could have a real fight on his hands in the Democratic primary.

Still it’s a long shot, Barack Obama promised to support Sen. Specter when he switched parties… I not sure Rep. Sestak can overcome Specter’s incumbency advantage and the opposition of a popular president. The netroots just aren’t that influential.

If nothing else Rep Sestak’s challenge should make Specter sweat a little.

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Arlen Specter: Classless

May 4, 2009 By Jeff Leave a Comment

By know I suspect everyone has seen or at least heard about Arlen Specter’s classless remarks about Jack Kemp on CBS’ Face the Nation… On the off chance you haven’t here’s the video:

What a bitter, angry man… I’ve come to expect this kind demagoguery from far left fringe bloggers but Arlen Specter is member of the United States Senate and supposedly part of mainstream political culture… And yet here he is taking the cheapest of cheap shot’s at Republicans. Senator Specter, with all do respect sir you are two steps lower than pond scum, the simple fact that you could not resist the urge to use a good man’s corpse as a soap box proves beyond a reasonable doubt it’s time you to retire.

And Senator as Ed Morrissey points out you couldn’t be more wrong:

During Republican control of Congress, federal spending on health research and regulation increased 46% after inflation, from $49 billion a year to $72 billion a year, or about 7% increase each year. That’s almost the same rate of increase as Defense spending got in the same period (48%), when we actually had a real war on our hands, and not a political contrivance for excusing federal spending.

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Arlen Specter Switching Parties Today

April 28, 2009 By Jeff Leave a Comment

Pennsylvania Senator Arlen Specter is leaving the Republican Party today and I can’t say I’m sad to see him go…

Specter, was one of three Republicans to vote from Pres. Obama’s pork laden stimulus plan and was expected to face a tough primary challenge from Pat Toomey next year.

Here’s Specter statement:

I have been a Republican since 1966. I have been working extremely hard for the Party, for its candidates and for the ideals of a Republican Party whose tent is big enough to welcome diverse points of view. While I have been comfortable being a Republican, my Party has not defined who I am. I have taken each issue one at a time and have exercised independent judgment to do what I thought was best for Pennsylvania and the nation.

Since my election in 1980, as part of the Reagan Big Tent, the Republican Party has moved far to the right. Last year, more than 200,000 Republicans in Pennsylvania changed their registration to become Democrats. I now find my political philosophy more in line with Democrats than Republicans.

When I supported the stimulus package, I knew that it would not be popular with the Republican Party. But, I saw the stimulus as necessary to lessen the risk of a far more serious recession than we are now experiencing.

Since then, I have traveled the State, talked to Republican leaders and office-holders and my supporters and I have carefully examined public opinion. It has become clear to me that the stimulus vote caused a schism which makes our differences irreconcilable. On this state of the record, I am unwilling to have my twenty-nine year Senate record judged by the Pennsylvania Republican primary electorate. I have not represented the Republican Party. I have represented the people of Pennsylvania.

I have decided to run for re-election in 2010 in the Democratic primary.

I am ready, willing and anxious to take on all comers and have my candidacy for re-election determined in a general election.

I deeply regret that I will be disappointing many friends and supporters. I can understand their disappointment. I am also disappointed that so many in the Party I have worked for for more than four decades do not want me to be their candidate. It is very painful on both sides. I thank specially Senators McConnell and Cornyn for their forbearance.

I am not making this decision because there are no important and interesting opportunities outside the Senate. I take on this complicated run for re-election because I am deeply concerned about the future of our country and I believe I have a significant contribution to make on many of the key issues of the day, especially medical research. NIH funding has saved or lengthened thousands of lives, including mine, and much more needs to be done. And my seniority is very important to continue to bring important projects vital to Pennsylvania’s economy.

I am taking this action now because there are fewer than thirteen months to the 2010 Pennsylvania Primary and there is much to be done in preparation for that election. Upon request, I will return campaign contributions contributed during this cycle.

While each member of the Senate caucuses with his Party, what each of us hopes to accomplish is distinct from his party affiliation. The American people do not care which Party solves the problems confronting our nation. And no Senator, no matter how loyal he is to his Party, should or would put party loyalty above his duty to the state and nation.

My change in party affiliation does not mean that I will be a party-line voter any more for the Democrats that I have been for the Republicans. Unlike Senator Jeffords’ switch which changed party control, I will not be an automatic 60th vote for cloture. For example, my position on Employees Free Choice (Card Check) will not change.

Whatever my party affiliation, I will continue to be guided by President Kennedy’s statement that sometimes Party asks too much. When it does, I will continue my independent voting and follow my conscience on what I think is best for Pennsylvania and America.

First, so long Arlen, don’t let the door hit you where the good Lord split you. Second I disagree vehemently with Specter’s notion that the party has moved to the far right. If anything, except for hamfisted attempts to pander to social conservatives the party moved to the left during the Bush years.

Arlen Specter’s departure has nothing to do with principle and everything to do with his own personal political ambitions. Regardless of what he may believe, the Republican Party is still a Big Tent party… We may disagree on how best to achieve objectives but we are united by certain principles among them a belief fiscal responsibility and limited government. Sen. Specter’s support for the President’s pork laden stimulus plan betrayed those principles and he faced a grassroots backlash because of it. I have no doubt that he’d happily run as a Republican in 2010 if wasn’t for Pat Toomey getting into the race and jumping out to a 21 point lead. Specter knows he can’t win the Republican primary so he’s jumping ship to avoid it. This is politics not principle.

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Dianne Feinstein Opposed to the Card Check Bill?

April 1, 2009 By Jeff Leave a Comment

Yesterday The Hill reported Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) told capitol hill reporters that she was skeptical of the so called “Card Check” bill making it’s way through congress. Although she stopped short of saying she was opposed to the Card Check or Employee Free Choice Act her remarks are sure to give cover to dissident Democrats and moderate Republicans who are opposed to the bill:

California Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D) on Tuesday told Capitol Hill reporters that she is skeptical of the Employee Free Choice Act, possibly dealing another deadly blow to the legislation.

Feinstein’s skepticism, coming a week after Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) announced his opposition, means Democratic leaders might find themselves in an even deeper hole as they search for 60 votes to move the so-called “card-check” bill.

“I think in this economy that what has to happen is that the unions and management get together and try to see if they can work out something,” Feinstein said. “The card-check bill, as drafted, in this economy, is extraordinarily difficult and I think almost a lightning rod to dissent. I think there are some things that can be done. I’ve talked with both sides and continue to talk to both sides to see if it isn’t possible to work something out.”

Feinstein hedged when asked if she was definitely opposed.

“I’m not on the bill, and I said what I said,” she said.

Oddly enough Feinstein’s remarks come a day after David Rivkin and Lee Casey published an Op Ed column in the Wall Street Journal questioning the Constitutionality of the Card Check bill.

“Card Check” isn’t the only troublesome provision of the Employee Free Choice Act, The US Chamber of Commerce has expressed concerns about the interest arbitration provisions of the bill. If you haven’t read it I’d suggest reading Ted Clark’s letter to Congress about the potential problems with the bill’s arbitration provisions.

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The Biggest Idiot On Capitol Hill

February 10, 2009 By Jeff Leave a Comment

I was all set to name Chuck Schumer the biggest idiot on Capitol Hill for his remarks on the stimulus bill this morning.

Via Michelle Malkin:

The Senate is about to pass the Turbaconducken stimulus package. Sen. Schumer took to the floor about 20 minutes ago to fear-monger. He referred shamelessly to the “economic 9/11″ and wagged his bony finger at Republican dissenters.

“You lost,” Sen. Schumer sneered. Besides, he taunted, the “American people really don’t care” about all those “little tiny, yes, porky amendments” that the “chattering classes” have exposed:

Um, Chuck what the hell are you smoking? We most certainly do care about the pork barrel projects you idiots have larded up the so called stimulus package with… The simple truth is you guys don’t care what we, the great unwashed masses, think. This so called stimulus package is nothing more than 40 year wish list of democrat spending and policy priorities that you couldn’t get passed any other way. It’s 10 percent stimulus and 90 percent crap!

Sen. Schumer’s idiocy pales in comparison to Arlen Specter’s however… Specter voted for the pork laden so called stimulus package even though he clearly has no idea what’s in it:

Senator if the stimulus package really needed “more time for hearings” why on earth did you vote for it???

God save us from these idiots!

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Porkulus Passes 61-37

February 10, 2009 By Jeff Leave a Comment

The senate voted 61-37 in favor of the $838 billion pork stuffed stimulus package. Erstwhile republicans Arlen Specter, Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins joined democrats in supporting the bill.

Judd Gregg abstained.

God Save us from bipartisanship!

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