Rendell Will Throw His Full Weight Behind Democrat Against Specter

[babylonsister]

:popcorn: worthy!

http://theplumline.whorunsgov.com/employee-free-choice-act/rendell-will-throw-his-full-weight-behind-democrat-against-specter/

Rendell Will Throw His Full Weight Behind Democrat Against Specter


Okay, another key development in the Machiavellian maneuvering that’s going on in Pennsylvania around the question of whether Senator Arlen Specter will switch parties.

I’ve just confirmed with a spokeman for Governor Ed Rendell that he will do everything he can to help the Democratic candidate defeat Specter if the latter remains a Republican or if he pulls a Joe Lieberman from the right, switching to Independent while promising to caucus with Republicans.

That’s key, for two reasons. First, because Rendell is a longtime close friend of Specter, and many thought he tacitly aided Specter in 2004. And second, because it ups the pressure on Specter to switch to the Dems.

Here’s why: If Specter fears losing a Republican primary — as many expect him to do — and pulls out to run as an Indy in a general election, his chances of holding his seat are slim indeed. He’d be squeezed between his GOP challenger and a Democratic challenger who has full backing from Rendell. In other words, Rendell’s vow of opposition means his only hope of survival may be switching to the Dems.


more...

http://theplumline.whorunsgov.com/employee-free-choice-act/rendell-will-throw-his-full-weight-behind-democrat-against-specter/

[LakeSamish706]

1. I guess the big question becomes, do we want him as a Dem.? n/t

[babylonsister]

2. I'll take him, and his vote. nt

[Me.]

5. Could He Be Any Worse Than

Bayh and the blue dogs?

[ThomWV]

6. I would be pleased to see him sign on to the Democratic Caucus

His is often on the right side of issues and when he's not its more often than not when he is pulling the Republican rope. Let him keep voting his conscious on the issues he sees as most important and toe the Democratic Party line on the smaller issues and I'd dam sure welcome him. Him and Al Franken that is.

[burning rain]

3. As an independent, Specter would almost surely be toast.

A lot of people obviously feel comfortable with him, but not to the extent that they'd go against their party preference to vote for the guy. He has all the charisma of wet cardboard.

[MzNov]

4. Isn't he like, 100 y/o?

Maybe he could just RETIRE furrchrissakes.

[ThomWV]

7. No, let him give us a Democratic seat now and if he can't do the time, let a Democratic Governor

Governor name his replacement.

[MzNov]

9. Who is the Dem who would win his seat?

Do we have one yet?

[ThomWV]

8. Dupe

[KamaAina]

10. He turned 79 last month

by comparison, Daniel Inouye and Daniel Akaka, are 84 (just four days apart!) and Robert Byrd is 91.

[backscatter712]

11. NICE! No matter what happens, we win.

If Specter stays in the GOP, he'll either have to lean hard right or get primaried. If he leans hard right, we'll kill him in the general election. If he doesn't he'll get replaced by a right-wing loonie who'll get killed by us in the general.

If Specter goes indy, he'll split the GOP vote, and the Dem will win in the general.

If he switches to the Democratic Party, at the minimum, we get his vote for the EFCA, and chances are he'll be forced to shift to the left to get support from us. Yeah, he'll be weathervaning, but we'll get some solid votes from him for our agenda.

No matter what, we win!