Ruminate:
transitive verb
1 : to go over in the mind repeatedly and often casually or slowly
2 : to chew repeatedly for an extended period
Here are my ruminations on the state of the PA GOP in regards to the upcoming primary race for the Senate.
In case you are living in a cave somewhere here is the summary of what’s been going on. In 2004 Toomey ran against Specter and lost by the skin of his teeth and a few high power politicians flown in to campaign for Specter in the 11th hour. Because of the stimulus bill and Specters ever declining popularity among hard line conservatives Toomey decided to jump in for round two. Specter, seeing the inevitable switches parties to save his seat (aka save his rear end).
In all of this Toomey has been the “anti Specter” and now with Specter out of the picture Toomey will have to rebrand quickly. Also Specer leaving has created a vacuum that will quickly start filling up with aspiring PA republicans.
Also based on Chairman Gleason’s recent statements
“I am deeply disappointed in Senator Arlen Specter’s decision to leave the Republican Party, as he has benefited from the support of our Party for many years. It is apparent that he chose to act in his own self-interest and put his political ambitions first. The Republican Party has room for conservatives and moderates because we are the Party of ideas.
It sounds to me like the GOP party bosses are scrambling to find someone with moderate and conservative appeal that they can endorse to run against Specter in the general, and just so you know Toomey isn’t that guy.
Two things may happen, either the GOP finds a moldable candidate that can generally appeal to the hard right base or they go with an established moderate candidate. However if they go with with Specter version 2.0 the base will revolt and elect Toomey who will then loose in the general. If they are able to find a moldable candidate they may be able to molify the base and then recast him for the general election.
Either way Toomey is going to be out in the cold. Well that’s my 2 cents anyway.
p.s. I’m keeping my eye on Gerlach and Ridge to see if they get asked to jump into the pool.
Comments, thoughts?
Related posts:
- Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-01-01 John McClure joins Dem primary to take on Pitts…...
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
I may be moving to PA, and would love to see Toomey get voted in. Just as the Dems went far left when they lost, I see no reason why the Republicans feel they need to move to the center or left. This talk of moderates is what loses elections for the Republicans.