Poll: Specter's Ratings Fall In Wake Of Party Switch
A new Franklin & Marshall poll shows that Sen. Arlen Specter (D-PA), who switched parties in late April in order to avoid a likely defeat in the Republican primary, has low ratings with both parties' voters now.
The numbers: Only 28% of registered voters say he deserves another term, to 57% who say it's time for a change. Back in March, before there was any widespread notion that he would switch parties, this question yielded a much healthier (though still not great) answer of 40%-46%.
In a Democratic primary between Specter and Rep. Joe Sestak, the big winner is... "undecided," with 48%, while Specter is at 33% and Sestak has 13%.
"I think what he's got going is the worst of both worlds," said pollster Terry Madonna. "Republicans have fallen away from him because he left his party, and Democrats are unhappy with him for lots of different reasons."


















The switch made him look like an opportunistic pol, only interested in making sure he kept his job, and not in representing the actual voters of PA.
June 25, 2009 1:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
... and of course that happened because he's an opportunistic pol, only interested in making sure he keeps his job, and not in representing the actual voters of PA.
June 26, 2009 2:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
Come on in Joe, the water's fine!
June 25, 2009 2:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well, he can always switch back to the GOP.
June 25, 2009 4:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
He has steered so far to the right for so long, he comes off as just another old opportunist. Time for some new blood with new ideas.
June 25, 2009 9:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
And today he comes out in support of the public option in health care. What's left? Support for EFCA and if he manages to beat Sestak he'll get the Dem union support he needs
June 25, 2009 11:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
His ratings should rise following his support for a public option.
June 26, 2009 1:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
joe sestak is such a great opportunity for Pennsylvania and america. Look him up. listen to him. You will see the difference is staggering. Dump old turncoat opportunist arlen spector for a real democrat.
June 28, 2009 1:39 PM | Reply | Permalink