Bob Casey Endorses Specter: "I'll Support Him"

Pennsylvania's now-junior Democratic Senator Bob Casey said on Friday that he will support Arlen Specter in the Democratic primary race in 2010 regardless of who else enters the field.

Asked during an interview with talk radio host Bill Press whether he will "support [Specter] no matter who runs against him," Casey, who was elected in 2006, replied "yes."

"I'll support him," he said. "It doesn't mean he doesn't have some work to do to go around the state and to listen to people in our party and go through a process. But I think in the end, it is my goal and it has to be my goal to make, which is to make sure we have two democrats in the senate in 2011, it is important that we support him I believe."

The endorsement falls in line with earlier reports that, as a condition for Specter's defection to the Democratic Party, national and state officials had worked to ensure that the path would be clear for him to secure the 2010 party nomination. With that said, the most likely Democratic challenger to Specter in Pennsylvania, Rep. Joe Sestak, has refused to rule out opposing the long-time Republican.

"Pennsylvanians need to make this decision and not have it decided by Washington, D.C., Democratic Party establishment and I feel very strongly about that," said Sestak.

Privately, progressives and labor officials are urging Sestak to keep flirting with the possibility of a primary challenge, if not run altogether. The logic being that he will influence Specter on key pieces of legislation, including the Employee Free Choice Act.

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Comments

[HerbTee]

As a PA resident, a life-long Democrat and a strong Obama voter and supporter, I was first rather pleased that Arlen Specter jumped ship to the Democratic Party a few days ago. Specter's defection took the wind from the sails of the ReTHUG ship of fools and that pleased me greatly. However, I am quite leery of Specter now after his vote against Obama's budget, then against troubled homeowners by sucking up to the banks and voted for them. My problem is, the Party doesn't need any more "Blue Dog" Democrats or DINOs like Ben Nelson and Evan Bayh in the Party. It's well past time for some fresh faces and some new thoughts and approaches to our 21st Century problems and that's not Specter, Nelson or others of the "Old Guard"

I do greatly admire Congressman (retired Navy Admiral) Joe Sestak and I do hope he will run against Specter in 2010 to try becoming PA's 2nd Democratic Senator. I will definitely vote for Sestak to push Specter out of politics once and for all. Sestak is very popular and would make an excellent Senator alongside Bob Casey, who's well liked and highly respected here.

It's time to retire these old fa rts like Specter and Nelson and allow some fresh blood in.

[cyoohoos]

I too am a PA voter. I was giddy over Specter's defection, truth be told I voted for him. However, I'm not inclined to have another "conservative" Dem. I want a really blue Democrat to have that seat. Hopefully someone will run against Specter in the primary. I am very inclined to support them.

[traumabob]

From a social policy point of view, we Pennsylvanians are now stuck with "Almost a Republican" and "Used to be a Republican" in the Senate. Would a real Democrat please stand up and step forward! Please!

[chicagoexpat]

http://loomisnews.wordpress.com/2009/04/30/is-arlen-specter-safe-now/

Specter's move hurts the Republicans (as if they need it) far more than it helps the Democrats.

PA becomes the Dem state in 2010 with the weakest incumbent & most likely change parties, back to the Republicans

[bignerd]

As a PA Democrat, there are some things bigger than party. Specter has 29 years seniority. That is good for PA. I can't see his health holding up for the long term.

I get a sneaky feeling that Ed Rendell will somehow end up with this seat when it is all said and done. 3-4 years out...

[HerbTee]

"Fast Eddie" Rendell may try to make a Senate run...but he won't be ready in 2010, will he?. Ed may get rather stiff competition from Joe Sestak, who's feeling pretty slighted right now that this whole Specter defection was not done "above board" so to speak.

[ched]

Whether Sestak or some other Real Dem, SOMEBODY needs to primary Arlen to keep him in line. That means the Unions need to back somebody, especially if Arlen doesn't switch (back) his EFCA support. Plus, we need a backup plan in case Arlen's health fails (let's face it, the guy is old and not terribly well).

[jsgaetano]

I wonder how many times Charlie Brown needs the football pulled away from him before he stops trying to kick it.

[InfinteShibumi]

I feel for Sestak. And if the reports are true that should Specter win that he will get a plummy chairmanship, I feel for those Dems who were already in line before Specter's decision to cross the aisle. I like Specter, but Washington's hands are too present here.

[k6007]

How pathetic.

[timberdoodle]

Politics make strange bedfellows but in the end many of these seedy deals do work out for the good of all concerned.

Specter is currently showing he hasn't abandoned all his previous principles regardless of how misguided they were and this will help him vote in a more moderate way in the future.

The old adage of make a lot of noise at dawn and you can sleep the rest of the day just might apply in this case.

[springsm]

I don't see any signs that Specter should be trusted to do anything that furthers the progressive slates. He changes his position and then what? He already has deep history of complaining, saying the right thing and still voting for the other. If any of you have watched him through the bush years, you will know that. I wonder if he isn't there to put the skids on other stuff. Not that he can do it alone, but he isn't going to change his stripes and once re-elected, then what?

[Lee Andrew]

Personally, I love, absolutely admire Senator Casey. He coached the president on how to win Pennsylvania and remember the two bowling and drinking beer together during the primaries. Somehow I thought Senator Casey would land i the Obama cabinet - perhaps during the second term.

I also noticed him and hi family at he White House Supper Bowl party with his very attractive FIVE daughters.

The most memorable speech I believe was his at the DNC Convention in Denver - Remember the line "McCain isn't a Maverick he's a sidekick." LOL

Love this man. love his family.

[obamagal]

Co-sign.

[kassandrasduplex]

When will Obama make a public statement about the apparent failure of the Emp. Free Choice Act since SPecter pulled his support for it, effectively destroying its chances for passage?
"We will pass the (EFCA). It's not a matter of if---it's a matter of when" Candidate Obama 2008 primaries. Without a strong union there will be no strong middle class jobs. With labor divided, the bankers and investor class (Robber Barons) win.

[jubei]

Remember Sen.Arlen Specter is very big on health care him and Sen.Ted Kennedy being workin on this for yrs and that's the only reason why Obama is happy with him switching over.