Right-Wing Challenger Jumps Into Primary Against Specter -- Could Split Vote With Toomey
Arlen Specter might have some good news in his Republican primary for 2010.
Peg Luksik, who has alternately been an activist/candidate with the Republican and Constitution parties, told the Johnstown Tribune-Democrat that she has already formed a campaign committee, and has begun raising money to run against Specter in the Republican primary.
Of course, Specter is already widely expected to face a primary challenge from former Rep. Pat Toomey, who just barely lost a primary challenge in 2004 by a 51%-49% margin. Specter's vote for the stimulus bill has become ammunition for Toomey as he publicly attacks Specter -- and the Luksik is blasting Specter over the bill, too.
On paper, it would appear that Luksik could potentially split some of the right-wing vote, helping Specter to hold on to a plurality win if it were to become necessary.
Josh
Matt
Eric
Brian
Oh, I think the club not for growth and the rnc will clean up the challengers to limit it to toomey, if specter is a republican in 2010.
March 10, 2009 3:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
The question is, will they be smart enough to tell Toomey to take a seat? I don't see how Specter can fight off both Toomey and a Democratic challenger in the same cycle.
March 10, 2009 5:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
This is actually bad news for Obama Administration agenda because when it was just Toomey, Specter had no shot at beating him, however with Luksik the two challengers could split the hardcore vote, allowing Specter to sneak by. All this means is that he has a chance now IF he plays ball with the Grand Obstructionist Party and votes with them.
March 10, 2009 3:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
I disagree. I don't know why you say that Specter had no shot at Toomey, but the upshot of Toomey's challenge meant that Specter would probably be forced to vote in lockstep with the rest of the wingers in order to win his primary, and then worry about beating the Democrat later. Specter voting with the hardliners for the next year and a half sounds like it would be pretty bad news for Obama's political agenda.
Meanwhile, this move potentially weakens Toomey by splitting the hardliners, leaving Specter's right flank that much less exposed. Which means that Specter may feel that he's able to vote a bit more moderately now as his larger challenge moves back to defeating a Democrat in an increasingly blue-leaning state.
It's impossible to say what's going to happen over the next 15 months or so, but your post sounds an awful lot like "THIS IS EXCELLENT NEWS!!! FOR THE RNC!!!!"
March 10, 2009 6:57 PM | Reply | Permalink