GrassrootsPA is reporting that former Congressman Pat Toomey, the current Club for Growth President, has announced that he may just run against Senator Arlen Specter in the primary. That is big news for people who care about the issue of life and conservatism.
Toomey, who narrowly lost a primary battle against Specter five years ago said on a morning show that a Primary challenge to Senator Arlen Specter is ‘now back on the table.
Toomey has been considering a gubernatorial run.
Here’s why I think it’s a good idea for Toomey to run. Think back. When Toomey lost to Specter the first time the GOP was barely holding onto the minority and was frightened to death over losing it for fear that the Democrats would vote to end the War in Iraq.
Everyone knew that Specter would trounce Democrat Congressman Joe Hoeffel in a head to head but people wondered if Toomey could beat Hoeffel, who was polished at playing the “moderate” Democrat bait and switch every election.
And one other wild card was that pro-life Senator Rick Santorum endorsed Specter. That endorsement while outraging many and was a big part of the defection of pro-lifers from Santorum’s campaign in 2006, played a very important role in Specter’s primary victory.
But at this point, Santorum is out. The GOP has suffered so many losses that they’re finally interested in some level of ideological cohesion on issues rather than just holding onto power. Conservatives are riled up.
The talk in the last primary was that while we couldn’t trust Arlen on social issues he was at least a fiscal conservative. But his recent vote for the stimulus was devestating. Arlen Specter, I believe, felt safe to make that vote precisely because Toomey was talking about a gubernatorial run.
But Toomey’s announcement changes everything. Pro-lifers will come out in droves to support Toomey. And even fiscal conservatives are now frustrated with Specter. Now mind you, Specter has a war chest and you can bet that he will employ a scorched earth campaign against Toomey but I believe Toomey can win this. And that would be a major sign that pro-life conservatives are taking back the party.
Mutineers unite!
March 3, 2009 at 1:51 pm
[…] former Congressman Pat Toomey, the current Club for Growth President, has announced that he may just run against Senator Arlen Specter in the primary […]
From your lips, to God’s ears…! A Specter defeat would bring some much-needed redemption to the USA political process (as well as healing some of the damage done by the Bush/Santorum blindside of Toomey–I like President Bush, but that one always disgusted and confused me).
March 3, 2009 at 6:54 pm
I hope any Former Huckabee Support recalls Toomey’s laws against Huckabee before sending him one dime
I am not boarding this train needless to say
March 3, 2009 at 7:52 pm
When Bush and Santorum backed Specter over Toomey they both lost all credibility to me.
We need politicians who will stand strong for what they believe in, not give in in the face of party politics.
This decision cost Santorum his seat in the senate, and stuck us with Bob Casey Jr (a lesser son of greater sires).
I think that Pat Toomey might be the best chance we have to have pro life representation from PA, and I am excited to hear he is running again.
March 4, 2009 at 4:12 am
It is regarded as given here that Toomey is running for Governor or US Senator next year. Which is still TBA.
Among Republican activists we have conceded that the seat has been lost already, with Specter viewed as a RINO.
The real issue is a concern that Pennsylvania has become enough of a blue state that no conservative can win.
I am not at all sure that the seat will not go Democratic, regardless of the nominee. Toomey may be too conservative to win, but Specter may see enough of the GOP base abandon him in favor of a Don Quixote riding the Constitutional party ticket to give a plurality to a Democrat. (When Specter asked midstate Republican activists what he could do to help Santorum in 2004 he was told point blank that the best thing he could do was stay away.)
As for me, Toomey or Don Quixote.
March 4, 2009 at 6:10 pm
Please put the “home” button back at the top of the blog so it is now necessary to either use the”previous tab” or go to the bottom of the comments.
Thank you