By Jim Tankersley
He's the senator with nine political lives, the rider who always seems to stay one trail bend ahead of the law, that kid in the arcade who always seems to race past the time check and extend his game with no seconds to spare.
Today, he'll either write another chapter in his book of great escapes.
Or Arlen Specter will come to the end of the line.
The Pennsylvania Democrat-turned Republican-turned Democrat was first elected to the Senate in 1980, on the GOP ticket. Ever since, he's roamed the increasingly lonely political center, riling conservatives and liberals alike, but always hanging on to his seat.
Specter narrowly dodged an upset six years ago in the Republican primary, when Rep. Pat Toomey, running to Specter's fiscal right, came within two points of a victory. Toomey signed up early for a rematch this time, and Specter saw the writing on the polls: Facing near-certain defeat in the GOP primary, he switched last year to the Democrats, handing President Obama's party a temporary 60-seat, filibuster-proof majority.
Obama, in turn, threw his support behind Specter in the Democratic primary. But all the president's entreaties weren't enough to knock Rep. Joe Sestak, running from Specter's left, out of the race. Sestak has surged in recent days, and he enters Election Day in a virtual tie with Specter in the polls.
Various media reports suggest Specter's backers are feeling glum about his prospects. Check out, for example, CBS's Bob Schieffer (above) reporting Obama's team is bracing for a Specter loss.
On a day of interesting races, this figures to be the biggest story: Does Arlen Specter have one more miracle escape left?
Comments
I would hope that the media and Congress investigate the claim by Joe Sestak that someone inside the White House offered him the position of Secretary of the Navy if he dropped his bid to be the United States Senator from Pennsylvania, which appears to be a bribe!
If this was the Bush White House the media and the Congress would be demanding criminal prosecutions and if they could prove George W. Bush knew they would demand his impeachment!
Posted by: Pat H | May 18, 2010 10:17 AM
When Specter flipped over to the dem side of the isle, the liar-in-chief said, "He will have my full support..."
Now Specter knows how Rev. Wright feels.
Paulo
Posted by: Paulo | May 18, 2010 10:34 AM
This will be an interesting election and may be the last stand for Arlen Specter. Switching parties is always very difficult. Although Specter faced a very serious challenge in the Republican Primary again I believed he made a very serious mistake in switching to the Democratic Party. Both Parties are being taken over by the Far Left (Dem) and the Far Right (Rep). The loss of moderate Arlen Specter was a loss not only to the GOP but for the whole country. And if he was that upset with the Right Wing of the Republican Party in Congress if he remained a moderate he would have had similar problems with the Left Wing of the Democratic Party. He has also lost his Republican base and has to start over. Specter is now also trying to win the votes of Democrats, many of whom opposed him in earlier elections. He has a major up hill battle on his hands. It will be interesting to see how he does.
Posted by: Depot- Jim | May 18, 2010 11:24 AM
Good riddance to Specter. As a staunch conservative, I never really got that riled up over his "centrist" views. When he switched last year that was the final straw. Here, an 80-year-old man, a senator for 30 years said he was not going to have his future decided by the voters in a primary. He became what so many folks are tired of, a politician who viewed his/her seat as his/her seat and not that of the people.
Specter, be gone!
Posted by: John D | May 18, 2010 1:25 PM
John D, you are exactly right. Specter represents Specter, not the voters. He is the typical politician that will do anything, say anything to protect himself.
Posted by: Free To Watch Liberals Bankrupt Europe | May 18, 2010 2:38 PM
What's the difference between Pat Toomey and Arlen Specter?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ejKFEHE2a8&feature=player_embedded
Posted by: Alphabet | May 18, 2010 3:59 PM
This old is two days older than dirt. At 80 years old he's had his time in the lime light.He should have been put out to pasture decades ago. When he switched parties he should have been clear to anyone still breathing that all he cared about was himself.
Posted by: Paul | May 18, 2010 4:17 PM
This old guy is two days older than dirt. At 80 years old he's had his time in the lime light.He should have been put out to pasture decades ago. When he switched parties it should have been clear to anyone still breathing that all he cared about was himself.
Posted by: Paul | May 18, 2010 4:18 PM