But for what? Roll Call:
Former Pennsylvania Rep. Pat Toomey (R) said he is considering a statewide bid in 2010, either for governor or another primary challenge to Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Pa.).
“I haven’t ruled out a statewide run in 2010,” Toomey said in an interview this week.
Since losing the GOP primary to Specter by 2 points in 2004, Toomey has run the Club for Growth while living in Zionsville, Pa. In an interview in the club’s Washington, D.C., office, Toomey said he has not spoken with Specter since before the general election in 2004.
But it’s more likely that Toomey would make a bid for governor, said a Pennsylvania Republican operative close to him. The operative cautioned, however, that he would not swear off a Specter challenge if the trademark moderate Republican Senator verges too far to the left on certain issues – for example, the “card check” vote that would make it easier for workers to unionize.
If you believe Roll Call’s unnamed “operative”, it sounds like Toomey isn’t really serious about another run against Specter — the card check nonsense sounds like an idle threat to ensure that Snarlin’ Arlen toes the wingnut line once again.
Specter v. Toomey ’04 map.
Santorum’s whomping made them realize that Specter is the best they could hope for. Not everyone who is far right is stupid. I’m sure Specter would get at least 60% in a Specter vs. Toomey rematch.
We BADLY need to hold the PA Governorship in 2010 and Toomey would all but guarantee it.
by switching parties and volunteering for Pat Toomey in the last weekend before the 2004 primary. Had 10,000 more Democrats done that, we would have Senator Hoeffel and a filibuster proof majority.
Right now, Tom Corbett should be seen as the frontunner for the job, both in the primary and in the general. Given that he is not exactly a lefty, I am not sure Toomey would beat him in a primary. But it is tough to say who Toomey would have a better chance of knocking out: Corbett or Specter? I think it is probably the latter because Specter is much more moderate, he will be pushing 80, and Toomey almost beat him once before.
In my opinion, our best bet of holding the governorship would be if Bob Casey runs. I think he would beat anyone, and we all know he has wanted that job for a long time. Should he win, we could appoint his successor to his Senate seat.
Since it was mentioned in this post, I’m hoping someone will answer this fore me: what is so great about card check?