Toomey: Pro-Stimulus Republicans Like Specter "Will Inevitably Face Consequences"
Former Rep. Pat Toomey (R-PA), who just narrowly lost his 2004 primary challenge against Arlen Specter and is widely reported to be about to jump in again this year, is already making the rounds of the right-wing Web.
In an interview with NewsMax, Toomey discussed his disgust with the three Senate Republicans who enabled the Obama stimulus package to pass, saying that the Senate Republicans had been empowered to force a more favorable compromise with greater tax cuts: "Instead, these guys just completely sold out, and the answer is I think they will inevitably face consequences for this."
When asked if he'll be the one to challenge Specter: "I'm giving that some very serious thought, and there's a real chance I'll decide to do that. I think we really need people in the United States Senate who are willing to stand up and say, 'Enough of this, you know, crazy economic policy.'"
Toomey also made it clear that he's looking more at the Senate race now than the governorship, which he'd been publicly mulling before Specter came out for the stimulus: "I've given that some consideration as well. At this point I'm more inclined and more focused, and I think I can probably accomplish more, in the United States Senate."
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Hmm this is actually interesting considering that The Hill and Morning Call both reported that Toomey had already decided to run for Senate and had told as much to his friends. Was that reporting wrong? (Also, Specter might have gotten a lifeline as another credible conservative candidate is looking to jump in the race, and that could split the conservative vote.)
March 9, 2009 1:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
With the increasing blue status of PA, and some other states, at least we're more likely to see the Republican side cannibalizing themselves this cycle, instead of the Dems.
Lesson for Democratic strategists in this: Get the majority first, then shift the center leftward. (Seriously...)
Lesson for the Republicans: Now that you're in the minority, and your party has been rejected by increasing numbers of Americans, by all means move rightward, because your shrillness and denial of obvious realities had no part in your defeats. (I hope they're immune to snark.)
March 9, 2009 1:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
This is a game not for the meek of heart.
That Hill article laid it out, Specter can't win the primary against a conservative. No way. He switches to Democrat or he retires. Okay, let's suppose he's up against *two* conservatives, can he win against a split vote?
Doubtful, but maybe. So if Toomey really wants the nomination he can lull Specter against running against both Toomey and a shill, to keep Specter out of Democratic hands. Then a month before the election, the shill quits for "family reasons" and with Specter thus facing Toomey alone, Specter is in the game too late to switch parties and is obliviated.
I know it sounds radical, but unless he wants to retire, Specter's best deal may be to make his deal with Dems very soon. He could easily win in the general as a (D) against whatever buffoon or wackaloon the Republicans field.
March 9, 2009 2:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
I still think this is all bluster and Toomey doesn't want to run because he knows the GOP would likely lose the seat that would be safely Specter's otherwise. I wouldn't pay Toomey any mind until he officially declares his intent to run - until then he's just trying to control Specters votes over the next two years.
Specter banks hard right now to fend off a primary challenge (votes against the EFCA, healthcare reform) he just increases the chances he loses to a Dem challenger.
Specter should call the GOP's bluff - if they want to primary him, so be it. They give away a safe seat. They might not like him, but he votes with the GOP more than half the time, and that's better than the alternative.
March 9, 2009 2:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
You'd certainly think SOMEONE in the GOP would have the sense to not give away this seat in a year when they're going to have trouble defending other seats all across the country. But then, if they had any sense they wouldn't be in the position they're in now.
March 9, 2009 3:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
Your post makes an erroneous assumption: that right-wingers are rational. They are not. They see their party drifting toward oblivion and what do they do? Go harder right.
Hey, there are plenty of Democratic "Toomeys" too. Like Labonne who think we should force people like Bayh or Nelson out of the party or defeat them with a liberal in the primaries. In their estimation, having a wackadoo right winger who NEVER votes with the Democrats is preferable to having a moderate who votes with the Dems 80-90% of the time. Purity above all else.
Loons on the left and right.
March 9, 2009 3:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
.... Anyone wanna throw Toomey some dough? Anyone wanna start preemptively preventing Ed Rendell from going to bat for Specter somehow?
March 9, 2009 3:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
If Toomey "narrowly lost" the 3004 primary, why are people so concerned about 2010? Unless Obama crashes in a blaze of glory, the right wing of the GOP will be toothless by then.
March 9, 2009 8:10 PM | Reply | Permalink