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Campaign Crawlers
Obama Defeats Specter
Ties prove fatal for one-time Republican once assured of an easy GOP renomination.
Wait a minute.
Let’s back up and stay focused on why, exactly, Arlen Specter lost this race — and had his career ended.
Two words: Barack Obama.
Story time.
Last April, in 2009, Senator Arlen Specter, then the Republican senior Senator from Pennsylvania, stopped in Harrisburg for a meeting with a group of Pennsylvania conservatives. This was a fairly routine thing for Specter to do. He had had a career’s worth of disagreements with conservatives, but he had also had some serious agreements. While his famous opposition to Robert Bork is prominent among the former, among the latter was his fierce support for Supreme Court nominees Clarence Thomas, John Roberts and Sam Alito. Less publicized but equally strong was his support for Reagan and Bush lower court nominees, support that was critical due to Specter’s long-running role as a senior member or chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee.
In the past, Specter would eagerly walk into the lion’s den and dazzle with his command of the issues and his candor. Furious conservatives would relent, grit their teeth, shake their heads in begrudging admiration — and life would go on. After Specter came close to losing his 2004 re-nomination to then-Congressman and conservative champion Pat Toomey, things appeared to have settled in, with the recognition that Specter would get his one and presumably last term — his sixth. Toomey had given repeated signals that he had no intention of taking on Specter again and was instead focused on a race for governor. Specter was in the clear for an uncontested re-nomination to that sixth term.
But on this April day, trouble was in the air. You could almost smell it.
In February, Specter was only one of three Senate Republicans (Maine’s Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins the other two) to break ranks and support the Obama $838 billion stimulus package as it passed the upper chamber on a 61-37 vote. Barely a month into Obama’s term, Americans were uneasy — and this was months before the explosion that was ObamaCare.
Sitting across the table from Specter, I listened in silence as he was peppered with questions about his stimulus vote. The people in this room were furious. There was no being dazzled here today. There was no silent gritting of teeth. This was something else entirely.
The stimulus vote had taken place in the Senate on February 9. And this very day — April 15th — Pat Toomey had announced he had changed his mind about running for governor. Spurred by the overwhelmingly bad reaction to Specter’s vote for Obama’s stimulus, Toomey had changed course and plunged into the Senate race.
On the spot what had once been a sure-thing re-nomination for Specter — by Republicans — was under siege.
The meeting over, I asked for an interview. Like a lot of Pennsylvanians, I have known Arlen Specter a long time. He is tenacious, a fierce competitor. The pluperfect example of the unglamorous underdog who wins simply because he persists and refuses to give up. Over the years he had lost races for district attorney of Philadelphia, mayor of Philadelphia, Senator from Pennsylvania, Governor of Pennsylvania. Even for president. And each and every time, like Philadelphia’s favorite fictional fighter Rocky Balboa, Specter had gotten up and climbed back into the ring, finally winning a Senate seat in 1980 on the undisputed coattails of Ronald Reagan. He would serve for thirty years, becoming the longest serving U.S. Senator in Pennsylvania history.
But there was something going on here this morning, as the atmosphere in that roomful of conservatives had just attested. The questions were barely polite, sharp. The atmosphere tense. No one could understand why Specter — or any rational, thinking person — would sign onto Obama’s so-called “stimulus.” Everyone thought it not just a waste of money but dangerous, a threat — a serious threat — to the American economy that was (correctly, as it turned out) but a precursor to even more reckless spending and indebtedness to come.
We stepped outside the building. I scrambled for notepaper and pen. Specter said he would have an aide tape the whole interview and e-mail the audio. He wanted to talk.
The polls that April morning, the very day of Pat Toomey’s formal announcement, showed Specter getting trounced. And I do mean trounced. Pennsylvania Republicans — reflective of the people we had just left in that room — were furious with him. Yet Specter was determined, not in the least an unusual posture for this man.
About the Author
Jeffrey Lord is a former Reagan White House political director and author. He writes from Pennsylvania at jlpa1@aol.com.
Letter to the Editor View all comments (257) | Leave a comment
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Kenny| 5.20.10 @ 6:51AM
B. Hussein Obama might have done in Arlen Specter's political carrer, but Specter first did in Rick Santorum's career.
By being 'pragmatic' in supporting the liberal Specter over the conservative Toomey, Santorum showed he was a faux-conservative and thus sealed his political fate. That's my opinion anyway.
Alert1211| 5.20.10 @ 7:33AM
I wonder how many Republicans sat out and did not vote for Santorum because they were still fuming about his backing of Spector.
Ted| 5.20.10 @ 10:55AM
I won't go so far as to say Santorum was/is a faux conservative. I could see his support for Specter at the time. Retaining control of the Senate or House can help to push good legislation and kill bad. Or the reverse, as have seen since 2008-2009 with Obamacare and the stimulus. It was a tactical decision.
The funny thing is, the Democrats probably actively recruited and / or encouraged Specter to switch because they wanted that filibuster proof majority. Now, when they have their own candidate (Sestak), they "slit" Specter's throat with tepid support. Just desserts.
By the way, which Navy did Sestak serve in? I'm glad my retired Master Chief Petty Officer grandfather isn't here to see it.
Neo-libertarian| 5.20.10 @ 8:52AM
It appears I have biologically mutated and developed an internal organic “mute” button. I think this ability arisen from years for photon exposure due to my presence adjacent to various screen formats. Whenever some phrase or sentence effects my sensory input from sources of proven hypocrisy, such as Gingrich, Santorum, or the majority of the MSM, I am simply rendered blind and deaf. During these periods of suspended input the only things I can perceive are an intense thirst for tea and the euphoric endorphin rush induced by entering a voting booth.
blarset | 5.20.10 @ 9:24AM
You are not alone- for the first time in modern American history we- the electorate are acting like a third party; because of our ability to communicate so quickly and get information .
AMERICA RISING is what I call this movement by the citizens.
Alan Brooks| 5.20.10 @ 5:15PM
'Obama Defeats Specter."
So you appreciate Obama after all?; good,
then you'll vote for him in '12.
See you at the precinct, guys.
Kenneth E. MacAlister Jr.| 5.20.10 @ 5:31PM
BEWARE! Drive-by troll alert!
Alan Brooks| 5.20.10 @ 6:00PM
"BEWARE! Drive-by troll alert!"
Yes! send out Paul Revere!
One if by land
Two if by sea
JmsA| 5.20.10 @ 5:33PM
"See you at the precinct, guys." Yeah, can't wait. Notice the stock market today? Losses across the full spectrum. How about the loser from from south of the border lecturing us about our laws, and the democrats arising in unison in unabashed support? Oh, Yeah! Can't hardly wait to see you in the precincts.
Alan Brooks| 5.20.10 @ 10:49PM
"Yeah! Can't hardly wait to see you in the precincts."
The above article is-- was-- being somewhat ingratiating in the same way I was accused of being to Old Texican; in this case--
"we don't like you, but thanks for ruining Arlen Specter, Barack."
Christopher Holland| 5.20.10 @ 9:43PM
Just before he killed himself, Hitler sacked Goering and Himmler. Am I supposed to be grateful for him as well?
Alan Brooks| 5.20.10 @ 10:51PM
This is a red Herring.
or Red Goering.
Cliff| 5.20.10 @ 11:46PM
Santorum MAY have lost a FEW idiot conservatives who sat on their hands because he supported Specter in spite of being one of the best conservatives in the Senate.
He did not lose by 18pts because of it. And anybody who contends he did is an idiot.
Ret. Marine| 5.20.10 @ 7:30AM
See and we though obama was good for nothing, but it turns out he not only is a good career ender for some, he's toxic for the American way. A man must know his limits.
JmsA| 5.20.10 @ 9:43AM
The One might just turned out to be another Slick Willy, though only insofar as the gift that keeps on giving, albeit from only an electoral point of view. One must admit, the man is talented at unifying the opposition's base. That little performance with Calderon yesterday, cannot but help our cause, notwithstanding, of course, its anti-American sordidness.
Louis Jenkins| 5.20.10 @ 1:47PM
Don't even get me started on Calderon. The toadies were clapping with glee in Congress today. It's time to do some cleaning.
Alan Brooks| 5.20.10 @ 5:16PM
"The One might just turned out to be another Slick Willy."
You are starting to catch on, you slowpoke.
JmsA| 5.20.10 @ 8:01PM
Alan Brooks,
Either you didn't read the the post or didn't understand it. Either way, I meant it as the gift that kept on giving electorally, as in opening the door for the republicans to take the White House and prior to that, the republican takeover of congress. Now, who's the slowpoke? I thought you were dense, but you're also delusional. Good to know, though.
JmsA| 5.20.10 @ 8:28PM
Alan Brooks,
If you still don't get it. Please feel free to ask me to draw a picture for you. Otherwise, just read the very on point article by Mr. Lord, for context as to my remarks about Slick Willy's electoral largess vis-a-vis republicans, most of which you conveniently chose to ignore. Thank you nonetheless for demonstrating to all your underhanded proclivities. I guess it's safe to assume that refuting my remarks outright is far beyond your rhetorical or moral capacity. Oh, and by the way, did you see the president of Mexico, for which he was given a standing ovation by the democrats, thrash the laws of your country, as did the One, your idol, yesterday at the White House? I just thought I throw that in. I'm sure you don't mind, do you?
Robbins Mitchell| 5.20.10 @ 7:34AM
I dreamed that Arlen Specter died,
And no one but the devil cried
JmsA| 5.20.10 @ 9:44AM
Ouch!
Ted| 5.20.10 @ 10:15AM
Well, that might be pushing things a bit... But you are right, he won't be missed by conservatives.
Kitty| 5.20.10 @ 7:40AM
Specter proved himself to be nothing but a bitter old opportunist.
Curly Smith| 5.20.10 @ 7:40AM
It's good to get a glimpse inside a RINO's mind. It's the Club for Growth's fault that Lincoln Chafee lost his Senate seat, and Arlen his Committee Chair, rather than the fault of the individual Senators and the votes that they've taken. You can hear Arlen screaming "I'm a United States Senator, I am not responsible for my actions!".
Kelly Staples| 5.20.10 @ 7:59AM
What does it say about the "giant" that the dumb-ass was content to stay in sleepy-pie land for so long?
Deborah D | 5.20.10 @ 8:02AM
Great insight into Snarlin' Arlen's way of thinking. Why is it that we can't get these old guys off the stage? Do they think they deserve lifetime tenure ala Supreme Court Justices? After a while, it's time to let the younger generation have a turn since they're the ones affected by your decisions.
Heatpacker| 5.20.10 @ 11:39AM
At a certain point the twin seductresses, Power and Fame, will convince all but the strongest-willed politician that he is an indispensible actor on the political stage. He will come to believe that his years of 'public service' entitle him to choose the time of his retirement and that the voters should gratefully maintain him in his current position, as long as he desires it. Power and Fame, if unchecked, will slowly destroy all traces of perspective and humility, and leave nothing but pure egoism. Witness Arlen Specter. He has no loyalty to party and no beliefs that cannot be sacrificed on the altar of pragmatism. He is a proud opportunist, who believes that his self-serving machinations are evidence of a special acumen that is worthy of admiration rather than condemnation. Arlen Specter is the living embodiment of hubris.
John Navratil| 5.20.10 @ 8:06AM
It's typical of Specter that he blame the Club for Growth for Chafee's loss (some loss) and the subsequent loss of GOP control of the Senate. Then, every the opportunist, he bolts the party.
One doesn't have to be an ideological purist to see that the GOP has never really had control, merely a coalition including Chafee, Snowe, Collins, Hagel and regularly Specter.
The Bishop| 5.20.10 @ 8:12AM
Arlen's powers of reasoning and insight as to cause and effect are obviously as strong as they were during his Warren Commission tenure when he promulgated the "magic bullet" theory. I'm anxious for the complete extinction of RINO's.
Louis Jenkins| 5.20.10 @ 8:21AM
The bugger is dead in the water. Good ridence to rubbish.
Jim O'Brien| 5.20.10 @ 8:37AM
Now let's hope that Obama and Biden campaign for Sestak versus Toomey. It will be the "kiss of death" for Sestak! :)-
Ret. Marine| 5.20.10 @ 8:22PM
Don't bet on this Jim, it appears that Sestak is holding something over this admin, re: Sestak, I was offered a position to not run against Spector
Bob D.| 5.20.10 @ 9:03AM
I sure hope that Obama comes to MA in support of Barnie Frank and John Kerry, as we could use some new blood in MA rather than these two lay-abouts.
Teflon93| 5.20.10 @ 9:54AM
No, it was Snowball!
I mean, "Bush!"
Bob K.| 5.20.10 @ 10:21AM
I don't have much truck for Arlen but his legacy will linger on. This from today's Philadelphia Legal on-line Newspaper: "The Legal Intelligencer."
http://www.law.com/jsp/pa/PubA.....amp;bu=The Legal Intelligencer&pt=TLI AM Legal Alert&cn=TLI_AM_LegalAlert_20100520&kw=Shaping of Judiciary Key Part of Specter's Legacy&hbxlogin=1
Read it and cheer or weep as you choose.
Sheila| 5.20.10 @ 10:35AM
Finally, a rational comment. Thank you, Kelly Staples. While everyone else is celebrating prematurely the supposed revenge of the outraged American citizen, at least someone other than I knows that the citizenry is the source of the problem and the politicians are only the symptom. I have no great hopes for November; the voters are stupid and even the "conservatives" are neutered, politically-correct cowards.
Kenneth E. MacAlister Jr.| 5.20.10 @ 11:28AM
Hi Sheila. I have to agree with you here. I live in Pennsylvania, grew up in Philadelphia, & did not always keep myself informed on the candidates I was voting on. I voted for Arlen Specter once when I first voted after reaching the age to vote & I still regret that vote to this day. I did not read up on Sen Specter's views & it was only after I did educate myself about Specter's views that I realized I made a big mistake that I would never make again. I also no great hopes for November. I look at what the GOP has for leadership (Steele, Cornyn, Sessions, etc.) & have to laugh. None of them are serious about returning this nation to the principles the Founders laid out in The U.S. Constitution when this Constitutional Republic was formed. They just want to put in as many people with Rs next to their name as they can. Principles do not matter & need not apply. The so-called conservative punditry (Noonan, Parker, Frum, Smerconish, Brooks, Gingrich, etc.) want nothing but more RINOs because they don't really have a problem with big government & liberalism. They just want their slice of it. Then there are those on talk radio (Hannity, Bennett, Gallagher, Medved) who are duped continually by big gov't Republicans like Gingrich, McCain, Graham, etc. & want nothing more than to keep putting the same failed Republicans back in office again & again & again. As long as there's an R next to their name, vote 'em in! And as for the "conservatives" being neutered, politically correct cowards, you hit the nail on the head there too. By "conservatives" I assume you mean Republicans. The GOP are NOT conservative, but are exactly what you refer to them as. They're not the only neutered, politically correct cowards out there either. I received an email WARNING from a woman at The American Thinker website two weeks ago warning me to refrain from mentioning GOD & Jesus Christ in the comments sections of their posted columns whether I was proselytizing or not (I was not). She also informed me The American Thinker was a "conservative", but secular website & if I wanted to mention GOD or Jesus Christ in any way I should go to a Christian website to do so. If organizations like The American Thinker represent conservatism, I want no part of it. It is for spineless, politically correct cowardice like this that the left will continue their assault on the American people unabated. Like you, I will not trust "conservative" Republicans & phony conservative organizations like The American Thinker to turn this country around & educate the voters. The voters need to educate themselves before this country can be turned around. Putting more faith in GOD than politicians is a good start also. Have a nice day Sheila.
South of PA| 5.20.10 @ 11:03AM
See what happens when you try and act cool with The Clean And Articulate One?
Tim| 5.20.10 @ 11:09AM
"The sneer is gone from Casey's lip, his teeth are clenched in hate;
He pounds with cruel violence his bat upon the plate.
And now the pitcher holds the ball, and now he lets it go,
And now the air is shattered by the force of Casey's blow.
Oh, somewhere in this favored land the sun is shining bright;
The band is playing somewhere, and somewhere hearts are light,
And somewhere men are laughing, and somewhere children shout;
But there is no joy in Mudville — mighty Casey has struck out. "
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casey_at_the_Bat
Bob K.| 5.20.10 @ 12:02PM
Would that be Senator Bob Casey, Democrat, PA, who, along with Obama, supported Specter over Sestak?
Pete| 5.20.10 @ 11:15AM
This is the feel good story of the year. I haven't laughed so hard for a long, long time.
Seek| 5.20.10 @ 11:42AM
Arlen Specter was an extreme backer of amnesty for illegal immigrants. The 2006 Senate amnesty bill he sponsored with Ted Kennedy was perhaps the worst piece of legislation in our country's history. Congressional Republicans, possessed of good sense, thankfully failed to act upon it. But it was a close shave.
I shed no tears for Specter's unplanned retirement. But I do inveigh against the mindless opposition to incumbency for its own sake. A lot of decent people get tossed out of office this way, and a lot of bad ones come in. Remember, anti-incumbency is a two-way street; Republicans were wiped out in 2006 and 2008 because of it. In the end, principle counts. Anti-incumbency is not a principle.
Tim| 5.20.10 @ 11:53AM
"anti-incumbency" is just mediaspeak for "anti-democrat".
Deborah D | 5.21.10 @ 6:49AM
I don't think most people are necessarily anti-incumbent. I think many are sick and tired of the way things are done in D.C. and realize we need some new thinking and some fresh blood to shake things up. However, regarding Arlen Specter, the man's 80 years old. He needed to get over himself and give a "youngster" of 55 or 60 move in, for God's sakes!
Curtis Rasmussen| 5.20.10 @ 11:45AM
SPECTER: SPecial Executive for Counter-productive party jumping, obama Toadyism, soon to be Retired
PCP Smoker| 5.20.10 @ 5:20PM
Excellent piece.
"But, I saw the stimulus as necessary to lessen the risk of a far more serious recession than we are now experiencing."
Classic Sphincter! I guess the "hard hardball" strategy will have to wait until the next cycle. See you creep. Don't bother coming back
Tim*| 5.20.10 @ 5:56PM
Obama is 0 for 4 endorsing Democrats John Corzine In New Jersey , Martha Coakley In Massachusetts , Creigh Deeds in Virginia and now Arlen Specter in Pennsylvania
Apparently , Obama's got a case of Reverse Coat Tails.
The Tea Party Rebellion Escalates .
Remember In November
Wally | 5.20.10 @ 8:17PM
Of course, Obama will support Specter - he got HCR and he needs his finance reform votes. Duh. But Sestak is a much, much better candidate and if you think Obama does not understand elections, you might want to crawl out from under that rock.
After yesterday, do youse guys really think that demonizing Obama is a winner? Do you? If so, please, please convince the Spectator and others to continue with their lucrative "Obama is a boogeyman" campaign.
Let's recap: the posters here and the teanuts are about 20% of the country. The country is starting to find out that you want to: stop the government from protecting our water quality, eliminate Social Security, stop parents from being able to insure their kids on their current HC plans, keep killing middle easterners in perpetuity, put gays and immigrants kids in ghettos , etc.
Good luck with that platform. And good luck with Rand Paul getting elected. Because the moderate, educated, non bigot part of the country will be appalled when they find out what he and YOU actually believe in.
Hymie| 5.20.10 @ 8:36PM
STFU Commie!
Tim*| 5.20.10 @ 11:06PM
Gee Blustering Racebaiter Wally let's review .
Obama endorsed Specter ,then left him swingin' in the breeze . Specter is hacked at Obama .
Independents ,who coul;dn't vote in Pennsylvania's Primaries ,have fallen off the Obama sled. Obama got no coat tails.
Aaaand , IT'S ABOUT THE ECONOMY STUPID !
You Are A An All Blow Buffoon.
The Tea Party Rebellion Escalates.
We Remember In November .
Ret. Marine| 5.20.10 @ 8:28PM
Slither back under thy rock, demonrat
Bill Melater| 5.20.10 @ 8:35PM
2 kinds of people in this country. Americans and Democrats. No, 3 kinds of people. Americans , RINOS and Commies.
Tim*| 5.20.10 @ 11:43PM
Pat Toomey And The Tea Party know ,"It's The Economy Stupid " !
The Tea Party Supports Pat Toomey .
http://www.toomeyforsenate.com/
Remember In November !
Yosemeti Sam| 5.21.10 @ 1:28AM
Psst, pass it along - BHO is radioactive.
Feel the glow ?
LOL.
Jeffry Pages| 5.21.10 @ 4:47AM
It truly is sad that the majority of people reading this magazine fail, to see the brilliance in our president. Barack Obama is probably the most brilliant man to ever hold the office of President. Yet you people dismiss him as something he is not! As to Mr. Spector, it took him thirty years to realize what the future for this nation is. Too bad the short-sighted, bigoted Pennsylvania dullards failed to see the benefit of re-electing Spector to the Senate. Our country truly will suffer for their lack of vision. Thankfully, we still have Obama and will so, for the next 6 years or so.
Deborah D | 5.21.10 @ 6:54AM
This was a hilarious comment! And, God help this country if we have BHO for another 6 years, because there won't be a country after he's done. Go back to your Kool Aid and pick up a history book. Obama is dragging this country off a cliff and we might never make it back. If you want to live in Venezuela, please move there. We don't want Venezuela here.
BozObammy| 5.21.10 @ 2:16PM
Jeffry the race-baiter doesn't like "bitter clingers."
Dope can't even spell Specter correctly; clown's a perfect poster child for our union based Publik Skool Edycation system.
Matt Williams| 5.31.10 @ 6:41PM
Jeffry, your knowledge of American history is woefully inadequate if you think that President Obama is "probably ther most brilliant man ever to hold the office." Please read about Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, either of whom would far exceed Obama's brilliance, both in terms of sheer intellect and accomplishment. Teddy Roosevelt is another president who you should explore. Nixon, despite what you may think of him as a president, was another brilliant man. Woodrow Wilson was far more intellectually accomplished than Obama. Plewase read your history before making such assertions!
Jeffry Pages| 5.21.10 @ 8:13AM
Deborah D: I have attempted not to become personal in my comments, while it is apparent that you can't. I do have a different opinion than many who read this magazine. Yet I do read it, as I want to know how all sides think. You, on the other hand have proven that your bra size (I assume you are a D-Cup) exceeds your intellect, when you make personal attacks against someonw who disagrees with you. I have an open mind and am capable of learing new concepts. I am saddened that most who read AS do not.
BozObammy| 5.21.10 @ 2:17PM
Your mind is so "open" your brains fell out, moron.
Yosemeti Sam| 5.21.10 @ 12:30PM
Yo, Leftoids - scurry back to your ideological
gopher holes.
You' re ruining the landscape of Americana.
Nick| 5.22.10 @ 1:45AM
Ohhhhhhhhhhhh Nooooooooo!
The dreaded solar greenies have got meeeeeee!!!!
Someone save me, please!
Thorvald| 5.23.10 @ 10:17AM
Western Pennsylvania is close enough to F.A. (Free America) to begin to be interesting. (Can anything save Philadelphia?) So, what gives in PA12?
I think we should "fundamentally transform America", not according to the lights of the Democratic Socialist Workers' Party, but according to the U.S. Bill of Rights: like Mark Twain's view of Christianity-in-action, it seems to me that Constitutional government in the U.S. has not been tried, yet. Let's enforce the 10th with the 2nd!
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