Posted by Josh Drobnyk at 11 a.m. CDT
U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter — dubbed Snarlin’ Arlen by foes and friends alike because of his prosecutorial style — is raising money to seek re-election in 2010. He plans a fundraiser Friday at a private home near Allentown. He'll formally kick of his re-election fundraising effort at a larger gathering in Philadelphia April 4.
“His sights are set on 2010,” said spokeswoman Kate Kelly.
Specter, 77, would become the oldest senator from Pennsylvania if he wins, starting another six-year term weeks shy of age 81. That said, he’s dwarfed in age by six senators. The oldest is West Virginia Democrat Robert Byrd, 89.
First elected in 1980, Specter has risen far through the GOP ranks, serving as Judiciary Committee chairman during the last session of Congress. But his socially moderate political philosophy — he favors abortion rights and has been a strong advocate for funding of embryonic stem cell research — has often angered the Republican base in the state. He drew a strong challenge on the right from former Lehigh Valley Republican Congressman Pat Toomey in 2004.
Perhaps the biggest obstacle Specter faces in a reelection bid is his own health. He’s recovering from a bout with Hodgkin’s disease. Still, friends say he is as healthy as ever.
"He is in the pink of health," said Lehigh Valley GOP activist Charles Snelling, who is organizing Friday's 100-person fundraiser. "He looks great."
He continues to rise early in the morning to play squash.
“He beats me pretty handily right now,” Danny Fisher, 26, a Judiciary Committee counsel who took up the sport about two years ago, told the Harrisburg Patriot-News. “There are a lot of shots I hit and think there’s no way he’s going to get it, and he’s already got it and has the point.”
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Comments
Maybe he's trying to catch up to "The Klansman" who will no doubt not run for reelection in six years and won't try to beat Strom Thurmond's record.
Still, Arlen faced a stiff primary challenge from Club For Growth President Pat Toomey in his last election and even if he does run again he's not guaranteed of the Republican nomination. Not with former Senator Rick Santorum and Toomey circling the local waters.
Posted by: Jeff | March 19, 2007 1:01 PM
oh, and among the Democrats, Gov. Big Ed Rendell might run, too.
Posted by: Jeff | March 19, 2007 1:30 PM
Rick "Man vs Dog" Santorum isn't capable of getting elected as the village dog catcher these days.
I find it interesting that you're so concerned about Penn. politics.......Bill
Posted by: John E. | March 19, 2007 1:36 PM
Please post the rest of my comment that finally got you to remove an unfair attack from this blog. You shouldn't just try to wipe away the evidence, you should acknowledge that it never should've gotten onto this board in the first place.
Posted by: Jeff | March 19, 2007 4:35 PM
What about Lynn Swan.Look how well he did against Rendell!
Posted by: Raving Loon | March 19, 2007 4:56 PM
Seriously, at the very least post the rest of my original post condemning the juvenile attack.
Posted by: Jeff | March 19, 2007 5:05 PM
Nah, Swanny won't run. He's considering running for a House seat. That's more his speed. Rendell will be out of office by then and there's a good chance he'll run and as for other republicans there's always former attorney general Mike Fisher. Should be quite the primary.
Posted by: Jeff | March 19, 2007 7:57 PM
Quit your crying "Jeff", you once said,"politics is a contact sport"....buck up girlfriend...
Posted by: John E. | March 20, 2007 12:14 AM