“Arlen Specter has been a consistent moderate voice for Pennsylvania who has been more focused on results than politics, something we need more of in our country today.”Those are the words of Lehigh County Executive Don Cunningham, and they echo a theme often repeated here. While some of you certainly think that answers to our many problems lie in extreme left or right politics, most of us prefer the "can do" common sense approach of leaders like Charlie Dent, Arlen Specter, Don Cunningham and John Stoffa. Most of us, like them, detest the partisan bickering that all too often has resulted in gridlock in Washington and the land of midnight payraises.
The most powerful voices in this country, and certainly in the Lehigh Valley, are those who speak from its independent center. That's why, six years ago, when Specter was threatened from the right by Pat Toomey, I briefly switched to Republican so I could vote for him.
Now that this feisty old warrior is being threatened on the left, I'm gratified to learn that the Lehigh Valley's top Democrats will publicly endorse Snarlen' Arlen tomorrow, 9:45 AM, at Allentown's Four Point Sheraton. Don Cunningham will be joined by Northampton County Exec John Stoffa, Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski, Easton Mayor Sal Panto and the party bosses from Northampton, Lehigh, Carbon and Bucks County.
I note that Bethlehem Mayor John Callahan is not among those listed. He's probably worried that publicly admitting his support for Specter will cost him votes from the left.
33 comments:
What is this world coming to? Specter goes back to his Democratic roots and he tells another Senator to, "act like a lady!" Democrats talk like that? Not the Democrats I met at the Pro-Life March.
Whether Democrat, Republic, religious, or not, black, white, or whatever; all of those women, young or older, that attended the march and rallies, have my vote for Women of the Year award. You couldn't believe the numbers of young people attending!
I started to make my way to the Mall at 10:30 am. I didn't start marching until 1:30 PM. I didn't finish until a little after 6 pm. And there was another thousand more behind my point in the rally.
Incredible! The Pro-Life movement is young and vibrant. There was at least 300 thousand on hand and demostrating peacefully. You will never see anything more than a small article, buried deep in the back of a newspaper regarding this.
Question: When do hundreds of thousands of people get together to demonstrate and there are no inciddents of violence or strife? Answer: Ever year at the Pro-Life March.
Next thing you'll know, the Pope will come out with a message that he wants priests to evangelize by blogging.
http://www1.voanews.com/english/news/science-technology/Pope-Encourages-Catholic-Priests-to-Use-Internet-82516422.html
Peace, ~~Alex
"I note that Bethlehem Mayor John Callahan is not among those listed. He's probably worried that publicly admitting his support for Specter will cost him votes from the left."
Apparently he is going to run a full campaign for Congress without taking a stand on ANYTHING. I bet if you asked him to take a stand on whether the sun will come up tomorrow, he would probably put forth broad 'principles' like "if you like the sunlight, you should be allowed to keep it for about half the hours in the day."
Arlen will lose no matter what party he latches onto at this point! Sestak was a much better candidate and the unions wanted him and not Snarlin'. The old folks will not vote for him especially all the ex-gov't employees that are getting hammered on drug costs and SSI meltdown. He's a carpet bagger and nothing more. Whichever way the wind blows..there he goes!
Magic bullet my a$$!
Ira Einhorn!
My problem here is that I see Arlen as only switching Parties to hang on to his job. I also detest party leaders endorsing anyone in a primary. What ever happened to allowing voters a choice?
I have the same problem with Chairman Rooney telling people to get out of Onorato's way to the gubernatorial nomination.
Jack Wagner is a far better, more qualified candidate, and they trying to squeeze him.
Why are we bothering with primaries if the parties are anointing people?
Bernie, I respect your support for Specter, but I reserve my right to think he needs to be challenged on exactly what he represents. One of my Dem friends sums up the Core Dem view of Arlen best: "He's with us when it's safe, and against us when we need him.
Perhaps you ought to look into Joe Sestak. I'd hardly say the Admiral was a leftist. A bit of hyperbole once again.
The kind of Democrat this blog likes are former Republicans.
Chris, I agree that rank and file Dems need to make this choice. I detest coronations or party machines telling me how I must vote. I would be opposed to any party endorsement of anyone in a contested primary. But I sure appreciate knowing how Cunninghham and Stoffa feel. The party bosses? Not so much.
"Perhaps you ought to look into Joe Sestak. I'd hardly say the Admiral was a leftist."
I would. He has consistently poasitioned himeslf on the left side of the Democratic party.
"The kind of Democrat this blog likes are former Republicans"
Why not? What the hell difference does that make? I'm sick of the Democratys only or Republicans only bullshit from lever pullers like you. That's precisely why this country is broken.
Bernie,
This is more good news for Republicans. Local Dem’s decide to endorse Arlen just days after he makes a fool of himself on the Philadelphia Big Talker radio station. So what that his rhetoric will likely alienate half of the state's voters right off the bat. Apparently it’s fool speed ahead.
I just love it. My how the sun shines sweet these days.
Scott Armstrong
Can do leaders like Cunningham and Stoffa? I understand the Cunningham part but Stoffa? Did he actually do something. I guess he built another birdhouse, cause the only "can do" from him at the courthouse is, "No can do".
You had your chance to convince the voters about Stoffa. You failed. At the same time, Stoffa's nonpartisan approach resulted in a Republican party that refused to run a candidate against him.
I agree with Chris, he switched to avoid Toomey in the primary. I also have no doubt that the party support was locked up as part of his deal to switch, so what's going on is no surprise to me.
And Joe Sestak is definitely on the left and he's consistent that way. He's principled in his views, I wish all politicians were as much so.
The Banker
Who really cares if he switched. As I dem, I voted for Specter. Just thought he was the better candidate at the time. I liked how he was his own person and did not always vote the party line. I did not agree with him all the time, however, I do not agree with all dems all of the time. I still do not think I buy the magic bullet theory, however, I do hope his clout in DC could help the 15th District. I like the fact that he is on the Transportation appropriations committee. Hopefully this will help with funding for Route 22.
The endorsements suggest he is committed to the LV. What he says and does about the issues that concern me may solidify my vote. He gave his ear to Allentown, Bethlehem, and Easton. NOW he better start paying attention to the rest of the Valley.
Leaning Specter, but not ruling out Sestak. Toomey is too extreme for me.
Specter is a political whore and those who support him are just like him; hollow, superficial con-men who lust for power at any cost. They have no shame. They are morally bankrupt,self centered and do great damage to our country. Their only allegience is to their own self gratification. We do well to reject them with vengence on election day and the Democratic Party that harbors them.
I see. Not too extreme, are we?
I love Arlen Specter and was happy to see him leave the Republican party. He's had a long political career and is a survivor. In any long political career, you can find some fault. All in all, Arlen has consistently come out in support of vets and you have to love him for that. His consistently moderate voice is also appreciated.
this clearly shows that spector is desperate - he wants dead in the water cunninghams endorsement. what a joke they both are
Arlen Specter has just one core belief: what's best for Arlen Specter. It's difficult to understand how anyone would want to be associated with him. He's like a cockroach after nuclear war, though. He just can't be gotten rid of. Although, I think he's finally finished this time. He likely doesn't get to the general.
Since Dent is so moderate, will he be endorsing fellow moderate Spector?
No he won't. Elected officials cannot do that withour being drummed out of their own party, as I'm sure you know.
Arlen is the number 2 on the appropriations committee. A state would need a pretty good reason to get rid of that type of seniority. I'm not really fond of sending money to D.C. than having it divied up and sent back to the states, that being said, that is the system we are dealing with, and Arlen is in the best position to protect the interest of Pennsylvanians in the Federal Government.
Specter is the Democratic machine candidate. For that reason, I support Joseph Sestak for Senate.
Can't argue with that. I support Specter in spite of it.
Jacob - Do you drive on the interstate highway system? Do you believe that is all YOUR money paving those roads? Do you support the United States Military? Do you believe that is all YOUR money that funds the troops? The truth is that our system is setup so that we all chip in. What state it comes from or returns to is hardly the point. But that is what drives the pork barrel mentality in this country.
the kiss of death
Holly Maddux says Ira Einhorn is a scumbag.
Holly Maddux says Democrats who vote for Specter are scumbags, too.
Dudes,
May Holly Maddux and all the rest of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Peace, ~~Alex
To the Central Scrutinizer.
Determining which state gets those money for High Way repairs and which state gets the contract to manufacture Military equipment or host a base is largely determined by our congress critters.
As for the Military, if you want to cut wasteful spending. That is the place I'd start first. I have no problem with our Military men and women, till they get above the rank of Full Bird Colonel. After that, they tend to become very political animals in peace time.
Specter is a mummified gas bag who would say or do anything to stay in office. He goes to a town meeting and hands out index cards, then announces how many questions he'll answer. If he's in a generous mood he might humor the masses with a few more. Then, if someone from the audience actually bursts out a spontaneous, unfiltered question Arlen starts snarlin' He'll lecture the citizen about his/her poor manners then leave in a huff. A real public servant. He's the most arrogant, self-serving bozo in congress. The Dems are dumb enough to force Sestak out leaving the door wide open for another embarassing defeat in the fall. The voters have had enough. They are tired of incumbant political hacks like Arlen.
I think the Democrats are making a big mistake here. The party endorsement in a race like this won't matter too much anyway. I think Specter may have some real trouble in a D primary.
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