If the talking heads think Specter's loss is bad for the Dems and/or Obama, they're clueless

[scheming daemons]

Specter had *ZERO* chance to beat Toomey in November.

*ZERO*.



The White House made a deal with Specter last spring... you switch parties, we'll support you in the primaries.

The White House did the bare minimum necessary to keep their end of the deal. Tepid support, then disappeared when Arlen needed them most.


The White House wants that seat to stay in Democratic hands. It now has a much better chance of doing so.



There's a reason the "Operation Chaos" Republicans were trying so hard to have Specter win the Democratic primary. They saw him as an easier person to beat than Sestak.

Toomey's entire election campaign strategy of playing against the "old guard" Specter in Washington has now been rendered pointless. He can't run as a Senate "outsider" against Sestak.


Toomey is a Club for Growth, far right Republican. He needed a depressed Democratic base in November. With Specter as the candidate, he would've gotten that.


This seat stays Democratic in November.... or at least has a much better chance of doing so... because of tonight.


If the talking heads think that, behind the scenes, the White House is upset about that... then they're clueless.



Lawrence O'Donnell is as wrong about this as he was about Health Care going down to defeat.

[Duer 157099]

1. While I agree with your assessment

The sneaky way the WH played this reminds me of the warning about how a cheating spouse will also cheat on the new spouse (that they cheated with).

Know what I mean?

[Demeter]

4. I'm also not convinced that Rahm DIDn't want Spectre

Wrong way Rahm is a loser in my books.

[Cognitive_Resonance]

2. The political analysis on MSNBC tonight is terrible.

Completely disconnected from reality. It's encouraging news for Democrats. Biggest news is failure of the Republicans to flip Murtha's seat. Not really close. Add to that the Republican establishment is losing control. They have a chaotic mutiny on their hands. Not good for them at all heading for November.

[Scurrilous]

3. K & R

:thumbsup:

[notadmblnd]

5. I don't think it is bad for Obama

I think it should send the White House a message though. People aren't getting the change they want. The perception is that both parties continue to give away the farm to greedy corporations. People are tired of not seeing their lives getting better after 8 years of losing ground. The bones that have been tossed to the people have been pretty small compared to those at the top. Yeah, the anti-incumbent sentiment is going to continue to run through both parties until November. Anyone who is perceived to be going against the real change that people want- better think long and hard about what they're going to do in congress for the next few months. Else come November, they'll be pounding pavement too.

[marmar]

6. They'd already created that meme this morning, so they've got to find ways to support their thesis..

..... no matter how bogus.

[malaise]

7. That's why they're pissed

:evilgrin:

[mmonk]

8. I pretty much agree with your assessment.

The new "outsider" is Sestak.

[Wednesdays]

9. They're not clueless

They're being very obedient to their puppet-masters.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

10. The last thing Mitchell has said tonight when Rachel took over is that in the end, Obama wised up

and said that in the last days of the campaign, the Obama team distanced itself from Specter, believing that Sestak has a better chance than Toomey. Well duh, Mr. President!!

[girl gone mad]

11. I don't see what makes you think the White House didn't want Specter.

He rolls over and plays dead on Rahm's command. I'd wager they did want him.

[scheming daemons]

12. He had no chance to win in November over Toomey... the WH knew that

They were just keeping up their end of the deal with (tepid) support of Specter.

[notesdev]

13. It's bad for Obama

but good for the party. Obama did endorse Specter, after all.

[freddie mertz]

14. Last night, the coverage made Obama and the admin. look 1. weak and 2. two-faced

The message any candidate would take away from this is that 1. WH support is not a guarantee of anything (and may even be bad for you) and 2. they will immediately toss you aside once it's clear you are losing.

"Arlen Specter? Never even HEARD of the guy..."