PA Senate Scenario

[© tweed]

Let's say Bob Casey wins in '06, buy 5 points or what ever it may be.

Arlen Specter retires in 2010.  (This is almost a given)

Does Rick Santorum make a 2010 comeback?

[Keystone Phil]

Very, very possible. He could also be the frontrunner if Rendell wins re-election next year for Governor in 2010. I know I'd support him over Toomey if he decided to come back.

[Speed of Sound]

Does Rick Santorum make a 2010 comeback?

Dont scare me like that! lol

But seriously, yeah, if the presidential thing flounders, its certainly possible.

[danwxman]

I don't see why this is "very possible"....If Santorum is ousted in 2006, especially if it is a decisive win for Casey, Santorum will be old news by 2010. I don't see him making a comeback. He may try, but he won't get very far and I doubt he wins.

[TeePee4Prez]

Schwartz for Senate in 2010!  Good night!

[GOP = Terrorists]

Does Rick Santorum make a 2010 comeback?

A morbid yet interesting thing to consider is that he will be running against a Democratic incumbent appointed by Rendell and not for an open seat...  Specter still isn't looking so great...

[Keystone Phil]

Schwartz for Senate in 2010!  Good night!

Uh...you think it's an easy win for her even against Santorum? Give me a break.

[TeePee4Prez]

Schwartz for Senate in 2010!  Good night!

Uh...you think it's an easy win for her even against Santorum? Give me a break.

Santorum for President/Toomey for Vice President! OH YEAH!

[Filuwaúrdjan]

If (as looks very likely right now) Santorum loses, he'll be back. Can you see that guy quitting politics? No; look at what a certain former Senator for South Dakota appears to be doing.
For a certain sort of politician, politics is like gambling and looking over Santorum's political career, he's certainly that sort of politician.

[Max Power]

Let's say Bob Casey wins in '06, buy 5 points or what ever it may be.

I doubt Bob Casey will buy votes, let alone 5% of them.

Schwartz for Senate in 2010!  Good night!

Uh...you think it's an easy win for her even against Santorum? Give me a break.

Santorum for President/Toomey for Vice President! OH YEAH!

Obviously not happening. The President and Vice President can't be from the same state.

[Joe Republic]

Are vacant unexpired Senate seats in PA subject to a gubernatorial appointment, or a special election?

The reason I ask is that I have a feeling Specter may not even last as long as 2010.

[Yates]

This scenario seems quite possible.  However, I doubt he'd win if he had already lost a state race.  It is a severe loss of credibility.

[Keystone Phil]

Are vacant unexpired Senate seats in PA subject to a gubernatorial appointment, or a special election?

The reason I ask is that I have a feeling Specter may not even last as long as 2010.

There is an appointment and then a special election if the Senator who left the seat was in the first half of his term. Example: John Heinz dying in '91. He won in '88. Harris Wofford was the appointment by Bob Casey, Sr. and stood for election in '91 against former PA Governor and then current Attorney General in the Bush administration, Richard Thornburgh.

[Joe Republic]

Are vacant unexpired Senate seats in PA subject to a gubernatorial appointment, or a special election?

The reason I ask is that I have a feeling Specter may not even last as long as 2010.

There is an appointment and then a special election if the Senator who left the seat was in the first half of his term. Example: John Heinz dying in '91. He won in '88. Harris Wofford was the appointment by Bob Casey, Sr. and stood for election in '91 against former PA Governor and then current Attorney General in the Bush administration, Richard Thornburgh.

Ah, thanks.

In which case, here's an interesting scenario in keeping with this thread.  Let's assume that Casey and Rendell both win next year, and Santorum is of course unseated.  Now let's imagine that Arlen Specter retires (or dies) around 2007-8, and Rendell appoints a Democrat, possibly with a silly name, to replace him.  Then, 2010 rolls around and Santorum comes back, defeats the Democrat, and history repeats itself in a slightly bizarre way.