NRSC Launches Calls To Remind Pennsylvania Dem Voters Of Specter's GOP Roots
The National Republican Senatorial Committee is taking some revenge on Arlen Specter, with a new robocall campaign targeted at Democratic primary voters in Pennsylvania -- reminding them of former President George W. Bush's support for Specter, in an effort to drive a wedge between Specter and the voters of his new party:
"I'm here to say it as plainly as I can, Arlen Specter is the right man for the United States Senate," Bush says, in the audio from a campaign ad from Specter's closely-fought 2004 primary against conservative challenger Pat Toomey. "I can count on this man -- see that's important. He's a firm ally when it matters most. I'm proud to tell you I think he's earned another term as the United States Senator."
That last line from Bush does have a certain dramatic irony, referring to a politician who switched parties five years later. A reader of ours has already told us they've received the call.
The NRSC has also set up a new Web page, Meet Democrat Arlen Specter, featuring some old Specter campaign ads from that 2004 primary, with the endorsements of George W. Bush and Rick Santorum, plus some video of Specter saying he'll stay a Republican, or criticizing Harry Reid, and all sorts of news clippings of Specter being a partisan Republican.
Full NRSC press release after the jump.
NRSC Introduces Pennsylvanians To Democrat Senator Arlen Specter
Launches Calls, Web Site Targeting Democrat Primary Voters
WASHINGTON - The National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) launched calls today informing Pennsylvania Democrat primary voters about their new Democrat U.S. Senator, Arlen Specter. The calls, which highlight Senator Specter's record and glowing support from former President George W. Bush, will target tens of thousands of Democrat primary voters in the Keystone State.
"In light of Senator Specter's changing political party, we felt it was our civic duty to adequately inform Pennsylvania Democrat primary voters about their new Senator's record and his close relationship with our former President George W. Bush," said NRSC spokeswoman Amber Wilkerson.
In addition, the NRSC launched a new web site today, "Meet Democrat Senator Arlen Specter," which will keep Pennsylvanians informed about their new Democrat Senator's record and statements important to voters in the Keystone State. To view the NRSC's new web site, please visit: www.nrsc.org/meetarlen.
LISTEN TO THE NRSC's NEW CALL HERE: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5DsEHhLK04s
"MEET ARLEN" CALL TRANSCRIPT:
ANNOUNCER: (Disclaimer) Hello, this is Jack. I've recorded this message on behalf of the National Republican Senatorial Committee located at 425 2nd St, Washington, DC or 202-675-4260 to help you welcome your newest Democrat Senator, Arlen Specter.
We wanted to make sure that we properly introduced him to you. Former President George W. Bush said this about Arlen Specter.
PRESIDENT BUSH: I'm here to say it as plainly as I can, Arlen Specter is the right man for the United States Senate. I can count on this man - see that's important. He's a firm ally when it matters most. I'm proud to tell you I think he's earned another term as the United States Senator.
ANNOUNCER: Now here is Senator Specter on important issues to Labor and Democrat interest groups.
SEN SPECTER: I will not be an automatic 60th vote. And I would illustrate that by my position on employee's choice also known as card check. Uh, I think it is a bad deal and I'm opposed to it and would not vote to invoke cloture.
ANNOUNCER: (Disclaimer) For more information, please visit nrsc.org/meetarlen. This call is paid for by the National Republican Senatorial Committee at www.nrsc.org and not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.
Josh
Matt
Eric
"Democrat" What whiny brats they are. I've been urging all my rational Republican friends to try to fix their party, and take it back from the cry-baby whack jobs.
April 29, 2009 9:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
Republicans=american terrorists
April 29, 2009 10:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
We actually got one of these calls this evening - it was more confusing than anything, coming off like some bizarro attempt at satire. Strange (my avatar says it all)...
April 29, 2009 10:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
They are gonna need a LOT of money. Spector is a familiar face in PA and he's proven his independence even more now.
Sneering at democrats, instead of trying to convert them over to your cause, is exactly what not to do.
Good luck, jerks!
April 29, 2009 10:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
They better run somebody more moderate than Toomey for this gambit to have any chance at working.
April 29, 2009 11:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
Didn't Rush Limbaugh encourage PA republicans to switch parties in order to vote in the Democratic primary? Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm......................
April 30, 2009 12:16 AM | Reply | Permalink
I don't even understand the strategy. So, the assumption is that Specter, running as a Democrat, is unbeatable. Fair enough. But he doesn't have any primary opponents--and even if he does, and he were somehow to lose the primary even with the whole establishment backing him, due in part to these GOP shenanigans...what then? Toomey gets rolled by Generic D, because PA is a blue state. And Generic D is probably more liberal than Specter.
What the hell kind of con does the NRSC think it's running here? Maybe they're just lashing out in weird ways because they're mad.
April 30, 2009 3:05 AM | Reply | Permalink
I think the strategy here is to simply deflate voter turnout. If they can keep Democratic enthusiasm for Specter down (not too hard), and Specter becomes the Democratic candidate, maybe, just maybe, they'll sneak Toomey past the goalie. Not likely, but what else have the got?
April 30, 2009 11:18 AM | Reply | Permalink
Another fine example of the state of the Republican party in PA.
As someone whose worked the state against Specter long ago (80, 86), the most likely outcome of such a bonehead approach is for Dem/Repub split households to realign under the Dems. Not much of this will happen, but that's what Republicans could expect.
The Republican hope that such a call would lend itself to a groundswell of liberal passion leading to a Dem challenger is wishful thinking. Specter may well see a Dem challenger in the primary, but the quid pro quo support of Rendell and Casey means that any Dem challenger would be cash starved against a very large Specter war chess,
and you better believe the federal gravy train is headed to a town or city near you in PA.
April 30, 2009 5:48 AM | Reply | Permalink
An interesting thing happened yesterday.
Specter is one of my Senators, I called his Philly office to tell them I thought it was a good move for Specter and he will have my family's support. The man who answered the call seemd happy to hear from me.
Then I called Specter's DC office and told them the same thing I told the Philly office, well, the guy in DC was absolutely gloomy and couldn't get off the phone fast enough.
I wodner what will happen to Specter's staff, who are probably all Republicans.
April 30, 2009 7:37 AM | Reply | Permalink
I kind of feel bad for them. Part of our the way people introduce themselves to strangers is the job description, and "I work for a Democratic senator" is a different identity from "I work for a Republican senator". I'm sure those with more loyalty to the party than the man are going to be looking for other jobs.
April 30, 2009 8:53 AM | Reply | Permalink
The phrases "Democrat senator" and "Democrat interest groups" really stood out in the recording. It’s interesting that, even when reaching out directly to Democrats, the NRSC chose to adhere to the party line of substituting “Democrat” for the adjective “Democratic”. When I hear "Democrat senator" and "Democrat interest groups", I hear a pejorative and I get defensive, and by the end of this recording, I felt mocked along with Specter and I identified with the newly Democratic senator more strongly than before. I suspect that other Democrats getting this call will feel the same way. In fact, I think it’s predictable, and I think it’s an obvious mistake on the part of the NRSC.
April 30, 2009 10:29 AM | Reply | Permalink
Well, you have to admit, it is hardly their first mistake.
April 30, 2009 12:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
So the NRSC thinks they can tell Pennsylvanians who Specter is? He has been our Senator for 29 years. I think we know better than them!
April 30, 2009 2:38 PM | Reply | Permalink