Despite stating earlier that Arlen Specter would have his support in a contested Democratic primary, Democratic Sen. Bob Casey is not exactly discouraging anyone from taking a crack at Specter in such a contest. From CNN:
Casey seemed to part ways with his party’s leadership when asked by CNN’s John King whether Democratic Party leaders – including President Obama, Vice President Biden, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, and Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell – should be making public pledges of support to Specter in an apparent effort to dissuade any would-be primary challengers to the former Republican.
“I don’t think anyone in our party should ever dictate to a candidate,” Casey said on State of the Union. “That’s really up to that candidate, to run or not run,” Casey, a longtime Obama backer added.
For his part, Joe Sestak recently told a local FOX affiliate that he’s “very much leaning towards” running, but has yet to reach a final decision. Perhaps wising up to the danger he faces, Specter is now saying that he’s open to discussing a publicly-provided health insurance plan after earlier stating his opposition to any kind of public plan. Coupled with his potential support for an EFCA compromise, Specter may be hoping to deprive Sestak of oxygen on his left flank.
As for Specter’s right flank, it’s looking pretty barren these days aside from economic wingnut Pat Toomey. Former Lt. Gov. Bill Scranton told a local political blog on Friday that he won’t challenge Toomey for the Senate nomination. Scranton probably wouldn’t have been much of a force in a general election, anyway — after narrowly losing the 1986 gubernatorial election to Bob Casey, Sr., he remained politically dormant until a disastrous (and ultimately aborted) bid for his party’s gubernatorial nomination in 2006. The Pennsylvania GOP will have to look elsewhere (perhaps to Philly-area Rep. Jim Gerlach) for a Toomey alternative.
There was no one other than Ridge who could beat him.
I think the Repub establishment will eventually get behind Toomey after they find out there is no one who can beat him.
that Casey and the leadership have determined that Specter needs a bit more incentive to get in line with the party.
Do you think the crazies that make up the base will give up after the thumping they’re about to get here? Will it drive a deeper wedge between the establishment and movement conservatives that will play out in the next presidential election? And after so many losses and blown elections, will the CFG finally shrivel up and die?
Spector is going to continue to suffer from that.
Good for Sen. Casey.
That he was still supporting Specter regardless?
I’ve decided and well, I dont mind him being a dbag so far that much, nothing has really stuck out to me as, unacceptable primary him, but all of these little things are adding up and quite frankly, after another 6 years of having him in our caucus I’ll want to scream.
Specter obviously feels that if he keeps up his end of the deal by moving left, he’ll deprive Sestak of oxygen and we’ll back off.
No such luck. I can see us being very grateful for every move Specter makes left, but we’ve got the bastard running now so there’s no reason to stop until he’s voting in line the CBC. After all, if he’s still in office in 2011 we lose any further influence over him and he votes how he likes for his last term.
Nevertheless, it’s good to see that Casey’s going along with this too. I’ve been pleasantly surprised by him, and his willingness to lean on Specter is very encouraging.
if either specter or gillibrand continue to vote in a conservative way, they will face a very serious primary, if they move left, they might still have a primary, but probably not one that would knock them out.
specter’s had an ugly start, but i still think it’s likely he moves to the left. i think it’s fine for casey and others to suggest that he is on a leash of limited length.
and i disagree that specter has no principles. it’s because of his principles and his moderate votes that he’s in this spot in the first place.
finally, an energetic primary may not be all bad (though generally they are bad). the primary between casey and rendell was fierce and expensive for governor in 2002 and they both landed on their feet nicely.
I can understand Dems, no matter their ideology, wanting a competitive Dem primary in the PA Sen race. Since Specter was never elected as a Democrat to the Senate and its a race the Dems will most likely win whoever gets the nomination. But on the other hand the Dems will have to spend money on helping Specter in his own primary. Money that could go elsewhere. Its a dilemma. But unless its a big GOP wave year then chances are the Dems will keep their filibuster proof majority so perhaps they can spend a few million here so theres a healthy competitive primary. Especially if Specter is not seen as being a loyal Democrat (didnt say ‘not liberal’, as you can be a moderate and be loyal).