On the very day Arlen Specter became a Democrat, he lamented that not enough right-wing Bush judges got confirmed, he opposed workers' right to organize, and he compared himself to Joe Lieberman. The DSCC and Pennsylvania Democratic Party will be supporting Specter in the primary.
If there is a potential progressive challenger to Arlen Specter in Pennsylvania, they are probably scratching their head right now asking, "Would I have any chance at all if I ran, or is the fix in?"
What can progressives to do create an environment where this person feels they can run?
Legally, we can't put money in a pot for a fictional candidate. But we can pledge now that if a real progressive steps up, we'll get their back.
So, here's a little experiment. I created a Facebook fan page (like a Facebook group) called "I support a real progressive against Arlen Specter."
People who join are pledging to give at least $25 to a credible progressive challenger who steps up. It'll either succeed or flop -- and that will solely be determined by whether the energy is there for people to join and pass it along to their friends.
If enough folks join, media will probably pay attention -- but more important, a progressive challenger would be paying attention. If not many people join...same thing. The destiny of a "challenge Specter" movement is in your hands. And the window to make this idea credible is likely short.
So, what say you? Click here or on the image to the right if you want to join.
(Not on Facebook? You can sign up to support a progressive challenger here.)
Let's see what happens...
Senator Arlene Specter, his word is his bond...NOT!
I think it was started by Howard Dean... but I am not so sure about that.
How strong, compared to Specter, would the progressive challenger be against Toomey in the general election? The decision should be a pragmatic, not emotive, one.
Any.
Well, maybe not Rod Blagojevich.
Anyways, I concur with the previous replier, let him stay until he retires. Besides, who wouldn't want to see Specter lay on the smack down against Toomey in 2010 (unless that coward decides to run for governor instead)?
Specter switched parties because his own party was drumming him out, and he stood no chance as an Independent of ever being re-elected to the Senate. He switched to the Democratic Party to save his seat for himself... period! He won't vote any differently and does not care. One has to ask, ... what does a party affiliation mean if one thinks and acts the same regardless?
Specter is a typical incumbent, and in that sense is exactly like Liebermann. It is all about Arlen, ... all the time!
This liberal says you moderates may not be the armed robber, but you'll drive the getaway car.
Specter may be done as the old remnant of the Republican Party, but his switch to the Democratic Party is about a decade late. Proof that the People want Progressive Democrats is shown in recent elections, not in hope, or faith or false profets.