I understand Pres. Obama's decision to welcome Arlen Specter into the Democratic Party. And I would have no problem with a promise from the president to support him in the Senate election if he is the nominee of the Democratic Party. Unfortunately, that's not what the president said. He promised to support him and raise money for him in the primary, and all appearances indicate that Gov. Rendell will do so as well. What happened to small d democracy? Or is this just how politics works?
The whole argument of the Obama campaign was that the voters ought to make decisions--not some party machine. It's up to us to remind the voters to make up their own minds--no matter what the party leaders may say. In a campaign between Arlen Specter and Pat Toomey, I would have no trouble supporting Arlen Specter, but I wouldn't mind having another choice. In fact, I looking for a progressive alternative in the Democratic primary about a year from now.
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Glad you brought this up. Seems like a good debate for CSCC.
Here is a website where you can make a straw poll vote vote now.
http://sestakvote.boldprogressives.org/p-th
Not sure where I stand. My gut says to have a competitive primary. IF specter wins, he will be a better candidate. IF he loses, we will have a presumable more progressive/liberal candidate (more being operative word here, but reference point of Specter is pretty low bar).
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