There is only one way to defeat Specter in the primaries and it may include Sestak but he won't win.

[LynneSin]

Philadelphia plays too much of a factor in democratic primaries and general elections in Philadelphia. And Arlen Specter is the hometown guy - NOT the suburbs but the hometown. He's a regular at Philly sporting events, on Philly Sports Talk radio and around town. This is why Arlen wins despite the increase number of democrats registered in the states.

If you want to get rid of Specter you CANNOT do it with one candidate and especially one from the Philly suburbs (where Arlen tends to do better because the moderates & independants live there).

This is the only you could beat Specter in the primaries. Joe Sestak runs and even better get a 2nd Philly area democrat to run - someone like Allyson Schwartz, who can peal off the women voters too.

Then you run one other candidate from the other side of the state, someone like Jason Altmire from PA-04. Watch out because in the middle of the state you have a few moderates like Chris Carney (voted against the Matthew Shepard Bill) of PA-10 and Tim Holden of PA-17. They're democrats but way too moderate. Murtha is no good either - too much baggage. I'm not sure what else is available out there - is the mayor of Pittsburgh a decent person? You just don't want any of the moderates from the middle running in the dem primary.

Then you might be able to unload Specter and Jason Altmire would then be your candid. Altmire has increased name recognition for unloading long-time republican Melissa Hart from her seat in 2006 and then kicking her butt again in 2008.

That's how you'll do it.

[valerief]

1. Specter is sick and old. And obviously not in his right mind (have you seen his

recent votes?).

It may be a moot point.

[LynneSin]

2. That's the other thing - just let him run

I can't see him living another 6 years. He could defeat Ridge if they run a campaign tying Tom Ridge directly to truly unloved George W. Bush. Then if we keep the governor seat as a democrat we replace specter after he passes away/retires.

[jobycom]

3. That's a lot of people sacrificing time, money, and careers to defeat one moderate.

Not my state, though, so I don't care. :)

[LynneSin]

4. I'm in Delaware - I'm just pointing out the realities to everyone who says "Sestak should run"

This isn't a small state like Connecticut where an outsider stands a chance.

It's an expensive state to win with major metro areas of Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. Not saying it can't be done and not saying someone else shouldn't run. But that is the efforts it would take.

[WeDidIt]

5. I'm donating to Sestak

Everybody said Barack couldn't win the Dem primaries, too.

[karynnj]

6. Respectfully, as Specter has the name recognition

and is the Obama and party approved nominee, having multiple candidates against him, splits the "anti-Specter" vote. I do respect your knowledge of the state's politics - that I really don't know. I just don't see how, no matter how many candidates against him, he won't get at least a good share of votes just through name recognition and the official support.

[JVS]

7. T)he mayor of pittsburgh is too young to be a senator