Not that it’s a surprise, but we can now officially cross off Democratic Rep. Allyson Schwartz from the open seat watch:
Aides to Rep. Allyson Schwartz say the third-term Pennsylvania Democrat will not seek her party’s nomination for the U.S. Senate in 2010.
Schwartz was among those widely talked about as a possible candidate, and had considered a Senate run. But after Arlen Specter’s party switch, Schwartz plans to support him and will focus on having a larger role in health-care policy in the House of Representatives.
Meanwhile, the Pennsylvania GOP, apparently unhappy-to-fearful with the idea of a Toomey general election candidacy and the havoc that it might wreak downballot, is searching fiercely for an alternative. The Hill mentions ex-Gov. Tom Ridge and current Reps. Jim Gerlach, Charlie Dent and Tim Murphy as possibilities. I’m not sure if any of those guys (particularly Ridge, who isn’t exactly a popular figure within the GOP’s base himself) would be interested in that kind of fight, but who the hell knows anymore.
Ridge and Gerlach would never win a PA GOP primary against Toomey. The party has moved far right since Ridge was Governor. His social stances would make him unelectable.
yeah Toomey vs. Gerlach, guess how that primary would go.
Sestak seems to be our best shot, but what everyone is probably going to do is just take a few months to see how Specter handles himself. If he jumps on board with most of our agenda, then Specter will likely remove any doubts about his sincerity the way that Jim Jeffords did in Vermont some years ago. If Specter tries to have his cake and eat it too, well then people might start talking about a primary again.
I am pretty sure we’re going to see a new side of Specter, most party-switchers of recent times have made adjustments to fit in with their new parties. Considering the concessions we are making towards him (clearing the field of establishment candidates, honoring his seniority, etc.) when we could have just as easily waited for him to get beat by Toomey, I am certain some deals were made in exchange for his support on legislation as well.
moderate and he’s had his share of scandals. Plus it’d be impossible for them to win, Specter is going to wrack up like 65% margins in the burbs, he’s even got hte moderate to conservative independants and Republicans that didn’t vote for Obama.
I think he is still available to sign up for a Senate candidate!
I’m still going to switch parties, vote and if needed volunteer for Toomey in the primary, as I did in 2004.
I really really want Toomey to be the Repub nominee.
truly was one of the Specter diaries linked on the front page wrap up of Dkos. I’m always happy to get some recognition lol.
Hey James need a commentator for southern politics? lol.
No one can beat Toomey in a Republican primary. They are stuck with him. Why should they risk pissing off the base even more by recruiting challenger?
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/…
He’s from the Pittsburgh area.
beating specter in a primary, while possible, is unlikely barring conservative GOP obstruction (by specter) at a major level. it looks like no serious candidates have stepped up for the uber-important gov’s seat. how about sestak?
I posted this on the a more recent rundown but i thought some PA experts might be on this thread.
that seems like quite a stretch. i’m afraid that county experience is pretty obscure.