Democrats warned: Don't aid Specter

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Democrats warned: Don't aid Specter

The senator has wooed ward leaders. Officials in the party are preaching unity.

By Carrie Budoff

Inquirer Staff Writer


The message to Philadelphia Democratic ward leaders packed inside party headquarters came across clearly: Don't even think about working for Republican U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter.

Word had gotten around that Specter was targeting the 69 ward chiefs in a strategy to steal Democratic support from his Democratic opponent, U.S. Rep. Joseph M. Hoeffel. So Mayor Street and other officials in the party pressed for unity at the meeting last week.

Specter's reach into the Democratic ward level in Philadelphia is the latest example of his dash across the political spectrum since the April Republican primary forced him into playing up his conservative credentials to barely outlast U.S. Rep. Patrick J. Toomey.

Since then, Specter has been looting the Democratic base, snaring endorsements from labor unions, black clergy and elected officials. Now setting his sights on ward leaders, Specter has hired a Democratic consultant, Maurice Floyd, to help make it happen, though it is unclear whether any have agreed to assist.

More: http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/news/local/9744814.htm