Specter-Sestak debate gets ugly (and new polling shows Specter in BIG trouble).

[Torie]

A charming couple indeed. They should get a room to work out their differences. By the way, Specter used to "win" the Senate staffers poll as the nastiest boss to work for in the Senate.

[Torie]

DSCC is now wasting money trying to save Specter. Ugh.

http://hotlineoncall.nationaljournal.com/archives/2010/05/dscc_investing.php

I'm starting to think this could end up really close.

That was probably the deal that was made when Specter switched, and voted for HCR as part of his side of the bargain, etc.  I have this intuition that Specter is more interested in political survival than ideology. He is a very practical man.

[Torie]

DSCC is now wasting money trying to save Specter. Ugh.

http://hotlineoncall.nationaljournal.com/archives/2010/05/dscc_investing.php

I'm starting to think this could end up really close.

That was probably the deal that was made when Specter switched, and voted for HCR as part of his side of the bargain, etc.  I have this intuition that Specter is more interested in political survival than ideology. He is a very practical man.

Nah, he was always decidedly left of center for the GOP. And as the GOP has steadily moved further and further right, it was a race between retirement and him leaving the party.

Ya, that is Specter's side of the story I admit. Color me cynical. The ironic thing in any event as to timing, is that the next Senate will have more moderate GOP Senators.

[Torie]

One other thought about Specter switching parties. He himself said it was because he didn't think he could win the GOP primary. He did not mention much about ideology. It was more about his opinion that he thought himself indispensable to remain in office for the good of the public square. He said he would not change his views or votes, including his continued opposition to card check. In reality of course, once he switched, he became a mainstream liberal Dem, and ceased to be a "moderate." 

Ya, I know I am being uncharitable, but Specter does not excite any eleemosynary instincts in me.

[Torie]

Regarding Brittain33's comment number 2 about Specter about some thinking he is only the candidate that can win, how could one believe that when the polls now show him running far weaker against Toomey than Sestak is at the moment?  Thanks.