Should we be hoping Toomey or Specter wins the Pennsylvania primary?

[ButterflyBlood]

Toomey seems like he'd be easier to beat, and while I'd like to say Pennsylvania would never elect someone as crazy as him, they did elect Santorum. If Toomey won he'd be a lot worse than Specter, and we'd have John Kyl instead of Specter as head of the Judiciary Committee. However I think Hoeffel would be favored over Toomey since suburban moderate Republicans would vote for him over that nutcase (he doesn't have the problems Ron Klink did), and then we could take back the Senate. Tough call.

[WI_DEM]

1. imo, Specter

Pennsylvania has proven that they can elect an extreme right winger so it is no guarantee that Toomey would be easier to beat just because he is more conservative than Arlen.

On the other hand, Specter has been in there, what? six terms--our candidate can make the strong statement that "it is time for change" that is what defeated Roth in neighboring Delaware. Also the right wingers will sit on their hands if Specter wins.

[4MoreYearsOfHell]

2. tough call indeed

but there is some speculation that Specter would retire after before his term ended, and have his replacement appointed by Democratic Gov. Ed Rendell...

Who has his own issues...

http://www.post-gazette.com/breaking/20040329speedp6.asp

[WI_DEM]

3. Rendell better make

his driver drive at a safer speed.

[Zynx]

4. Yeah. If he hits someone, he and they will both be dead.

[AlinPA]

5. I think Hoeffel would beat Toomey (via Pitt and Philly) but not

Specter. Specter is well accepted in PA. Toomey is a right-wing jerk.

[formernaderite]

15. Hello, can you say Santorum?

What, can Toomey be any more conservative?

[mobuto]

6. Toomey

Joe Hoeffel would clean his clock.

[mndemocrat_29]

7. Toomey

Joe Hoeffel would be able to beat Toomey (though it would be close) in this presidential year. The though of Kyl being head of the Judiciary Committee isn't pleasant (though considering that it currently is Orrin Hatch, I can't see how it could get worse), but if we win the PA seat, we might not even have to worry about it, because that could lead to Pat Leahy being the chair of the Judiciary.

[TheDonkey]

8. Toomey

he'd stand little chance against Hoeffl who is a much better opponent than what Santorum ran against.

[GalleryGod]

9. DEFINITELY Toomey!

Joe Hoefle will kick his ass!

[MrSlayer]

10. Hoeffel beats Toomey but loses to Specter. I may switch.

I'm considering switiching over to Repuke for the primary to vote for Toomey. Plus I can write in Clark as President. Any thoughts?

[Thrill]

11. Tommey needs to win it

Specter has the independents and moderate reukes locked up. Hoefel will beat Tommey. Who is very far right

[Bombtrack]

12. Not only can we beat Toomey, unlike Specter, Toomey will hurt Bush

tOOMEY WILL HURT bUSH BECAUSE bUSH NEEDS TO RUN AS A MODERATE IN pa

[jfxgillis]

13. My rule is, always root for the better person

All this tactical voting crap just ends up backfiring more often than not.

If I were voting in the GOP primary, I'd vote for Specter. If I were voting in the general election, I'd vote for Hoeffel over either of them.

And YES, PA DID electect Santorum is a similar situation where the Dems all thought the Republicans had committed suicide by nominating him (turned out to be the '94 debacle, if I remember correctly).

[Bombtrack]

14. I just disagree with that

but I respect your opinion

[jfxgillis]

18. Thanks. If it makes you feel any better ...

... I'm as critical of the PA AFL-CIO's tactical voting ploy in support of Specter as I would be of Dems voting for Toomey hoping for a weaker candidates!!

[mobuto]

16. 1994 was very different from 2004

Santorum only won in 1994 because of the Republican sweep occuring across the country. There is no vast wave of pro-Republican sentiment sweeping the country this year. Toomey will lose.

[jfxgillis]

17. Which is exactly my point

Nobody knows the future.

We do know, however, which of the candidates we think is better.