Specter Faces Revolt From Pennsylvania Progressives, Poll Finds

A poll of progressive grassroots Pennsylvanians shows heavy support for a primary challenge to newly minted Democrat Arlen Specter.

The Pennsylvania Senate Straw Poll, sponsored over the course of five days by some of the leading progressive groups in the state and nationally, shows that 85 percent of Pennsylvanians (and 86 percent of national respondents) support a movement to draft Rep. Joe Sestak to run against Specter in the upcoming primary.

Over 7,500 votes were cast in the survey, which was sponsored by Progressive Change Campaign Committee. A new Draft Sestak fundraising site was announced at the same time that the results were released.

"I am honored that so many of you took the time to vote in the recent grassroots Straw Poll," Sestak said in a statement. "Let me tell you, I and many others were paying attention. If I decide to run it will be in large measure because of the grassroots energy of so many people like you. Until I and my family make that decision, please accept my thanks and my best wishes as you continue be active participants in our people-powered democracy. Thank you so very much!"

(Other poll sponsors included Daily Kos, the Pennsylvania Progressive, Keystone Progress, PA-based Afro-Netizen, PA-based Open Left, Latina Lista, and Democracy for America.)

The figures, while far from scientific, reflect a growing progressive lament over the likelihood that Specter will breeze through to the Democratic nomination. A poll of MoveOn.org members conducted last week showed that an identical 85 percent of respondents would consider supporting a challenge to Specter if the Senator did not back President Obama's agenda.

The early word after Specter's defection was that the primary field would be cleared for his candidacy. But polls like these could certainly prove tempting enough to compel Sestak to run.

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Comments

[blood1]

If Specter thought he could get a free pass from the Dem's, then he should vote WITH THEM not against them. As he should have learned from the past National Election: Maverick's don't win when policy matters. We can only wait and see how he votes in the critical issues that will be voted on for the remainder of the year.

[sweepstop]

"The figures, while far from scientific..." Then why is this news? Its no different than an ESPN online poll on who people think will win the Super Bowl. Shockingly, both states who have teams in the game think their team will win. Same thing here.

[usawillprevail]

This was all done so Arlen would not have to face any primary in the GOP and the foolish dems grabbed him thinking he wont try to pressure the dems not to have one.

[liberalbug]

The United States Senate equals, for the most part, old men clinging to power, too egotistical to retire.

[kinnycut]

Very True! Only the shear arrogance of power could make one believe he could more easily win re-election by stepping away from the comfort zone of political party that he has called home for that many years. Republican, or Democrat it is time to send Specter home.

[YouThinkAndTalk]

A lot of people outside Pennsylvania will support Joe Sestak. Me, for example.

We don't want another Lieberman in the Senate.

[roshni]

Thanks. Sestak is an excellent candidate.

[spiritpony1]

all very good and well; prob. is YOU can't vote in Penn.-------once again, progressives mono-track leaves issues in the dust--------Franken ain't my choice either. but, hey, WOULD you prefer Coleman-------there is the forest as well as the trees, gawd

[roshni]

I am going to be supporting Joe Sestak for Senator. Spector is not the worst senator in the world, but I opt for a progressive democrat.

[eliasboudit]

OMG BHAHAHAHAHAH

You libs were slap happy two weeks ago about a GOP defecting to "your" side and now you cannot get rid of him lolololol

Serves you libs right; you asked for it and now YOU got it!

[roshni]

We are happy that he flipped off your party. That doesn't mean we can't support someone who is a true democrat and more progressive.
Any way you look at it, your party is about to become obsolete - and not a moment too soon.

[usawillprevail]

Nice try - shows how desperate you all are to take whatever crumbs come your way.

Latest word is Ridge will be the GOP candidate and well, Ridge always has had very high pop ratings.

Buh Bye Arlen

[Jaybot]

Sorry, Harry Reid isn't a 'lib' nor does he speak for the whole of the Democratic Party.

[chrisincalif]

As soon as Senator Specter became a Democrat, I sent him a donation. Then, when he we heard him state his positions on the budget, unions, health care *and* that offensive statement about Norm Coleman, I asked for my donation to be returned.

[roshni]

In fairness, he did retract the statement about Coleman, but substantively I don't think Spector is a true democrat. He switched parties for political expediency.

[theone718]

We will Joe Liberman this old coot. No sore loser rule though, he won't be running in the General.

[rabiddog6708]

Lieberman was able to run as an idependent and win because Repubs supported him. Specter will not have such support. Time to retire, Arlen, because the voters are going to retire you next year anyways.

[karela]

It may well be that we'll have to promote someone other than Specter. Today he's making noises like he'll support the card check legislation via a compromise that sounds workable. He also said that he would consider public health care discussions with some compromise. I think if he does those things, it will be a big step. We shouldn't do anything to convince him that no matter how he votes between now and the 2010 election, we don't want him. I want his votes to be supportive of the President's agenda between now and then. So, I'm not in favor of getting too vocal during this interim time. However, I think Specter may vote in ways that he believes will get him elected again-----­-----until after the election. With another six years under his belt without worries, I think he'll be a thorn in our side. Enough said. Except to re-enforce that we need to play this smart between now and the election.

[ColumbusMike]

Exactly.

[Bardmess]

He was a poor Republican, but he's making a terrible Democrat. I hope we can get a real Democrat instead of Specter. He's just a mole. If he doesn't support the change we elected Obama to accomplish, what difference does a title change make? Maybe he should have gone Independent if that's how he wants to vote.

[GeorgeKaplan]

If I lived in PA I would vote for Joe Sestak in the primary - if he runs. And I hope Joe Sestak runs.

[MyGoodMojo]

Well, I do, and I will, if he does. lol

[BartLA]

I know several Dems in PA who worked hard volunteering for Obama. They all want Sestak. I know Sestak gets the message and wants to run. I don't live in PA but I'm considering making a donation for him.

[josaboeesq]

Spector is a real disappointment to us all. Sadly, one would have thought by the time he reached his age he would have developed some principles. I hope my friends in PA (both democrats and republicans) can help him understand how offensive he has become.

[doglove]

Remember that Ned Lamont beat Joe LIEberman in the democratic primary in CT in 04, yet lost the election to Joe LIE who decided to then run as an independent and was elected by the rethuglicans (3% of them voted for the R candidate). Bush/Cheney took care of their boy.

Most elected Democrats would not endorse Lamont, and those who did - did so reluctantly. They were in fact complicit in subverting democracy with JoeLIE and the rethugs. Sphincter is a bud of JoeLie and no doubt will do the same thing if he loses the dem. primary.

Did the dems punish JoeLIE for leaving the party and rewarding his own self interests instead of the good voters of CT? Of course not. Did he lose seniority on committees after leaving the party, campaigning for McCain and denouncing Obama? Of course not.

You may win the primary against Sphincter, but don't expect the dems to help you, respect your candidate, or demand Sphincter shape up. The CT primary was such a travesty of our principals that I became convinced then we are being represented by one party only.

[XLintLuvR]

Tone it down a little bit. You don't know what you're talking about. As much as you wanna be afraid that this would happen, PA is not CT. The reason why he didn't stay in as a R is because in PA you can't lose a primary then run as an I. If Sestak beats him, he's gone. It'll be a tough primary because just like the G.E. whoever wins is going to get that seat.

[Ergon]

LOts of electronic vote flipping took place in CT that year and the previous election