Toomey Is Up And Running

Sort of a follow up to yesterday's pre-announcement. I thought it was going to be a slow roll out but nope, he's in. Website is up and donations are being accepted.

I missed this yesterday but John Cornyn of Texas, head of the Republican Senatorial Committee, says he is backing Specter.

"My job as head of the NRSC is to guide the GOP back to a majority in the Senate," he added. "I can't do that without Arlen Specter. With him as our nominee, I can target our campaign resources toward beating Democrats and growing the Senate Republican Conference."

Cornyn's in a tough spot. It's hard to imagine the "Republican Senatorial Committee" going after a sitting member of the party and yeah, Specter wouldn't consume as many resources and is a better bet to win the general than Toomey.

That said, it's Arlen Fucking Specter and he's gots to go. There's no guarantees that he won't go Linc Chaffee or Jim Jeffords on the Republicans after taking all the party's money and the support.

Cornyn does make a good point when he says, "While I doubt Arlen could win an election in my home state of Texas, I am certain that I could not get elected in Pennsylvania."

I'm a big fan of running the most electable conservative possible, not the most conservative imaginable. That said, nominating Toomey is more of a risk but one that's worth taking. It's not like Pennsylvania has never elected a conservative before, remember they sent Rick Santorum to DC not too long ago. Yes, it will be hard given recent outcomes in the state but the conditions may be right for a Republican in '10 and therefore it's worth the risk. It's not just to getting rid of RINO but to moving the Senate Republican caucus to the right.

Cornyn however is as wrong as could be when he says, "A vote for Arlen Specter is a vote for denying Harry Reid and the Democrats a filibuster-proof Senate."

Remind me again who voted for the stimulus?

Yeah, that's what I thought. Buh-bye Arlen.

More: The Weekly Standard blog has a quick chat with Toomey.

posted by DrewM. at 09:49 AM

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