The American Spectator

Dave Holman’s cover story today on the efforts of an anti-prolife group calling itself Republican Majority for Choice (RMC) to undermine Sen. Rick Santorum’s re-election chances in Pennsylvania caused a nice little brouhaha, with coverage in such outlets as the Huntington Post, Human Events, and RealClearPolitics. It also put on Sen. Arlen Specter on the spot, given that he is a member of the RMC’s advisory board. Was this the payback Santorum deserved for his support of Specter’s re-election two years ago, which saw Santorum having to choose Specter over true conservative Pat Toomey?

Evidently embarrassed by this turn of events, Senator Specter issued this letter today. A copy was e-mailed to us by one of his staffers earlier this evening, after everyone had gone home:

March 3, 2006

Republican Majority for Choice

1660 L St, NW Suite 609

Washington, DC 20036

To Ms. Stockman and Ms. Merrill:

I have just learned that the Republican Majority for Choice (RMC) is placing ads in many Pennsylvania newspapers calling for “help wanted” on recruiting “real Republican candidates for Senate.” While not mentioning Senator Santorum, these ads are being interpreted as an attack on his candidacy.

I strongly oppose these advertisements. The Big Tent is big enough to include both Rick Santorum and Arlen Specter. The RMC ought not to be in the business of electing Democrats to the United States Senate.

Without Senator Santorum’s support, I would not have won the 2004 Republican primary. As I believe the RMC knows, I’ve repeatedly said that Senator Santorum’s reelection is my top priority in 2006.

I call on the RMC to repudiate and renounce any effort to defeat Senator Santorum.

I will withhold my decision on whether to resign from the RMC’s advisory board until I see what further action RMC takes on this matter.

Sincerely,

Arlen Specter

AS/ab