I think Toomey is going to win today (PA primary)

[bluestateguy]

The last poll shows it dead even 48%-48% (http://www.surveyusa.com/currentelectionpolls.html).

Momentum matters in politics, and sometimes undecideds can be swayed by it. I also see right wingers being more inclined to show up and vote than wishy washy moderates.

Toomey is beatable in November, very beatable, but Democrats will make a big mistake if they think that he will be a pushover, or that Pennslyvania won't elect a solid conservative. Look at Rick Santorum. In any event, this whole primary fight has been good because it leaves the winner deprived of cash, while the Democratic candidate Joe Hoeffel has been able to wait this thing out and build up a war chest.

[PCIntern]

1. As a Pennsylvanian,

I agree with you except for the war chest. These RW guys have virtually infinite money - especially if it means holding onto the Senate. This Toomey was written off forever and now...

that billboard on the way to the PHL Airport looms large now.

[PROGRESSIVE1]

2. I'm for whatever helps we Democrats win in November!

[cjbuchanan]

5. That is to give $10 to Hoeffel

Go on over to http://www.hoeffelforsenate.com/ and give a bit.

Also, if you know anyone in PA, let them know who Hoeffel is and get them to vote for them.

By the way, great attitude on this one.

[PROGRESSIVE1]

7. I have an Aunt and Uncle in western PA. They'll love.....

Looney Toomey. My Aunt (who we don't speak with anymore because they are nuts) calls Western PA "God's Country".

They are just two horrible people. They are hard right wingers who hate the government and minorities. The Uncle was militantly against civil rights. They never liked Spector much so I guess that will be two votes for Looney Toomey today and in November.

:eyes:

[cjbuchanan]

3. The one thing that makes me wonder...

Is that those over 55 favor Specter. They also vote in higher numbers.

Still, the mo is with Toomey, so we'll see.

The best thing we can do here is go give $10 to Hoeffel (http://www.hoeffelforsenate.com/) and make this a Dem seat.

[osaMABUSh]

4. Around Pittsburgh I've seen 100's of Toomey signs - 0 Spector

[DeposeTheBoyKing]

6. I've seen 2, count 'em, 2 Specter signs

I think they were in Penn Hills.

[IronLionZion]

15. Toomey's support is grass roots

The Republican machine is backing Specter. Much of his support is monetary and high-profile endorsements etc. Bush and Santorum endorsed Specter even though their politcs are similar to Toomey's.

Granted, if Toomey wins today, the machine will back him. But don't underestimate the power of the Democratic machine. PA is a moderate state. Hoeffel has the edge over Toomey.

[bluestateguy]

19. Do people know Hoeffel?

I am concerned that Hoeffel is out of the news and is name recognition outside of Philly may not be as high as the 2 Republicans.

[Joanne98]

8. He's got the fundies behind him.

Which means he'll probably win. They're so dedicated. They'll be out in force for sure.

[movonne]

9. What kind of voting machines do you have there????

[lancdem]

10. Would a Toomey victory be seen as an embarrassment

for Bush because Bush campaigned for Specter?

[cjbuchanan]

11. Good news for Toomey?

Voters are staying home

By Tina Moore

INQUIRER STAFF WRITER

Voter turnout was light in primary election races across the Philadelphia region this morning despite blue skies and a U.S. Senate contest that could shift the balance of power in Washington.

"This is slow," said Michael Lanham, who was at the historic Birmingham Friends Meeting House in Birmingham Township.

From http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/news/local/8531991.htm?1c (Free reg)

Low turnout means the die-hards are the only ones out there. This is good for Toomey.

[KamaAina]

12. Will Specter go independent if he loses?

thus ensuring a Senator Hoeffel.

[loudsue]

13. This is insane! Why are DUers pulling for Toomey??

Don't you guys get it? You think you have this big strategy thing going by getting some right wing extremist to win the primaries, in hopes that he's too crazy for repukes to vote for in droves?

So, we're trading in a sane person for an insane person to run against a Dem?

The general election will tell the whole sorry story. All we need are more Toomeys in Washington, replacing the Specters of the world.

Geez! Wrong is Right. Right is Wrong. Down is up.

There goes SCOTUS.
:kick:

[IronLionZion]

16. That strategy is risky

I'd rather not risk the chance of Toomey winning the general. The choice between Hoeffel and Specter is much safer. I don't like Specter, but he's only conservative during election years. I can handle a moderate Repub, but can't handle another delusional right-winger like Santorum.

Whatever happens today, large Democratic turnout can still win it for Hoeffel in November. Then we'll take down Santorum in 2006.

[Bandit]

14. Since Specter discovered the magic bullet I have dispised him

I won't mind him being gone no matter who gets in.

[Sinistrous]

17. The GOP wind-up toy will win today

and in November. This state is awash in assholes. Loony Tooney will energize the hordes of wingnuts and beat Hoeffel handily.

[NewJeffCT]

18. now if we were like Republicans...

We would have called up loyal Dems and asked them to temporarily switch parties and vote for Toomey in the primary since our candidate would do better against Toomey.

[PCIntern]

20. that was done for Specter

aka Mr. Magic Bullet aka Anita Hill aka Whatever...

This is a no-win situation for Dems I hate to say. Toomey CAN be elected - Specter's old and very tired -I wonder about his health and energy levels. He did have a great ad about a guy who'd approached Toomey for help with his defective child and toomey was a do-nothing, whereas Specter go the kid some assistance. People reluctantly concede that Specter is useful from a local perspective, although they can't stand him personally and he was at the epicenter of so many horrible moments in American history.

I happen to have spoken with Hoeffel over the years, he was my Congressman before redistricting and I spoke with him 2 Sundays ago and he's a fine man, but he lacks energy and he is uncertain of many of his positions in a public forum - he's nervous about offending folks so he equivocates a lot. Very fine, upstanding individual however. i told him about DU and he wrote it down in a notebook and was impressed that he'd never heard of us before.

You cna bet that Toomey knows all about Freerepublic.com.