Voters Cast Ballots in Pennsylvania GOP Senate Primary | WP

[Ediacara]

Voters Cast Ballots in Pennsylvania GOP Senate Primary
Incumbent Specter Faces Challenger Toomey

The Associated Press
Tuesday, April 27, 2004; 10:22 AM

PHILADELPHIA -- Citing the backing of President Bush, Sen. Arlen Specter voted Tuesday in the Republican primary, seeking a fifth term and hoping to ward off a strong challenge by conservative Rep. Pat Toomey.

Polls opened at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m.

Specter, 74, has been a moderate mainstay in the U.S. Senate. But Toomey, 42, has moved to within striking distance of an upset win, according to recent polls.

"I think it's very important to focus on what President Bush wants," Specter said after he voted early Tuesday in Philadelphia's East Falls section. "He's the leader of the party. He thinks I can help him be re-elected."

More at the Washington Post

[David__77]

1. I don't know who to root for.

Specter is pretty good for a Republican and if the GOP keeps Senate rule, he'll head Judiciary, which wouldn't be too bad for our side. But Toomey could have less than even odds of winning.

A lot of Republicans are clamoring for Specter's defeat regardless of if they lose in November. If only the California GOPers had felt that way and swarmed to McClintock instead of the actor, we'd still have a Democrat in that office.

[meow2u3]

2. It would be a walk in the park for Hoeffel if Toomey beats Specter

Toomey would be portrayed as the far-right, Opus Dei wacko he is, and too conservative for Pennsylvania. Rendell used a similar strategy to defeat Fisher for governor two years ago.

[Prodemsouth]

3. I agree,Go Toomey Go!

n/t

[Jack The Tab]

5. Definitely will NOT be a walk in the park...

This is the state that elected Santorum, a more pompous, arrogant self-righteous, religiously insane twit if I've ever seen one.

Most of my family is from PGH, and the thought of them being represented by this Santorum asshole is pretty disheartening.

Toomey will be as difficult to beat as Spector.

[modrepub]

4. My vote

I'm writing in Kerry and Hoeffel. Conservatives are worried Specter will get the head of the Judiciary Committee. Once upon a time Specter was an independent. Using the call for unity, a vote for Specter is a vote for Bush. We'll see if the moderate wing of the Republican party in PA survives this test. As far as I'm concerned the Northeast moderates are already dead. Can you name one under the age of 60?

[jimbot]

6. Re: My Vote

Susan Collins is a moderate repub senator who is 52 I believe. Olympia Snowe is about 57. Both are moderate and in the Northeast.

--JT