ABC: Specter Switch Makes New Enemies - In Both Parties

[Occam Bandage]

Sen. Arlen Specter's decision to become a Democrat was supposed to be the easy path to reelection. So much for that. Specter's move ignited a firestorm in Pennsylvania and beyond. It's left him with new enemies in both parties

...

While Sestak and others weigh primary candidacies, former governor Tom Ridge, R-Pa., is being courted by state and national Republicans to carry the GOP banner. Already, former Rep. Pat Toomey, R-Pa., -- who almost beat Specter in the 2004 Republican primary -- is in the race, and raising money at an impressive clip.

Sestak said he will be closely monitoring Specter's statements and votes over the coming months, to make sure he's helping the country move forward on areas including healthcare expansions and national defense.

"Arlen has a lot of questions to answer. If they aren't answered appropriately, I do believe we should have someone else carrying the banner for the Democratic Party, and for all Pennsylvanians," he said.

...

Sestak or another primary challenger can expect the help of liberal activists, many of whom have been waiting years or decades to defeat Specter. In addition, rifts are appearing inside the Democratic Party that could cost Specter the support of organized labor, despite the Democratic establishment's promise to rally behind its newest member. Top officials of the two largest national unions told ABC News Monday that they are unlikely to support Specter as long as he opposes their top legislative priority, the pro-unionizing bill called the Employee Free Choice Act.

Four pages of analysis here: http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Story?id=7509868&page=1

[provis99]

1. can any Penn people tell me why we should prefer Sestak over Specter?

Having seen Sestak on tv now, he seems like a pretty slimy guy; I'd prefer Specter, because at least the Democratic party will have him over a barrel if he wins re-election.

[Richardo]

3. Sestak is great - I don't know what you've been watching.

[Occam Bandage]

4. Looking through the interest-group ratings, Sestak is a consistent upgrade,

though he's by no means perfect. Here's a few in the format "Group: Specter Rating / Sestak Rating "

Planned Parenthood: 79/100
National Taxpayer's Union: D/F
US Chamber of Commerce: 100/60
ACLU: 43/91
NAACP: 21/92
Americans for Democratic Action: 30/95
National Journal Composite Liberal Score: 45/62
Secular Coalition for America: C/B+

http://www.votesmart.org/issue_rating_category.php?can_id=53340
http://www.votesmart.org/issue_rating_category.php?can_id=MPA08612

[cali]

6. yeah? what barrel is that?

like the one he's over now? the one where he's voting against dem legislation and openly saying that he hopes norm coleman "wins"?

Fuck arlen. I loath that disgusting piece of shit. I hope he gets smashed by Sestak. I mean smashed.

[T Wolf]

2. With the party powers shoving Magic-Bullet Boy down our throats, what is a real Democrat to do?

If Spectre winds up being the Democratic nominee, he will hurt the party.

The support thrown behind him by Obama, Rendell, etc. will hopefully cause many Dems to rethink their blind obedience to the "D."

We do not need a puke joining the other reich-winger DINO.

[Occam Bandage]

5. Primary him out. All the party has promised

is that they won't back a challenger. They don't back challengers to any Democrats in office.