POLL: Specter (D-PA) beats Toomey (53/33), neck and neck against Ridge (46/43)

[jefferson_dem]

Poll: Specter tops Republican opponent in 2010 matchup
Posted: 10:17 AM ET

From CNN Deputy Political Director Paul Steinhauser

A new poll handicaps Arlen Specter's general election chances in 2010 against two prominent Pennsylvania Republicans.

WASHINGTON (CNN) — A new poll of Pennsylvania voters suggests that the newest Democrat in Congress, Sen. Arlen Specter, would easily beat his old rival, Republican Pat Toomey, in Specter's battle for re-election next year.

But the Quinnipiac University survey, released Monday, indicates that Specter would have a much tougher re-election fight on his hands if he faces off in 2010 against former Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge.

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Fifty-three percent of Pennsylvania voters say they would back Specter if their state's Senate race were held today, with 33 percent supporting Toomey. The fiscally conservative former congressman narrowly lost to Specter in the 2004 Pennsylvania Republican Senate primary and decided to take on Specter a second time after Specter was one of only three Republicans in Congress to vote for President Barack Obama's $787 billion stimulus package.

But if Specter faces off against Ridge, a popular former Pennsylvania governor before joining the Bush Administration after the September 11th attacks as the first director and then secretary of Homeland Security, the poll indicates the race, if held today, would be extremely close. Forty-six percent of those questioned back Specter, with 43 percent supporting Ridge.

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http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/05/04/poll-specter-tops-republican-opponent-in-2010-matchup/

[freddie mertz]

1. Specter vs Ridge.

Heaven help us all.

I'd be tempted to sit it our, but probably would, once again, hold my nose and vote the for the fake Dem.

Then go home and take a bath.

[Captain Hilts]

2. Ridge is a VERY serious threat here. Smart move of him to consider this. Specter's too old to run.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

3. I think Obama, BIden, the Dems made a major, major mistake here! n/t

[Captain Hilts]

4. If they promised not to oppose Spector in the primary, yes. If not, no. We'll see. nt

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

5. It's not so much about what the Dems do; it's about who the Repukes put up.

If it's Ridge, it's over. If it's not right wingnut, then there's a chance. But I'm not too happy about Specter anyway.

[Captain Hilts]

7. Right now, I'd say Ridge is THE candidate to beat. nt

[LynneSin]

11. Yes but would the RNC/RSCC support another moderate over Toomey?

Toomey fits in with these right-wing nutjobs like Jelly does to Peanutbutter. The reason that Ridge is competitive with Specter is because Ridge and Specter are both cut from the same cloth - moderates that support abortions (a group of Catholics tried to have Ridge, also Catholic, ex-communicated because of Ridge's pro-choice stance) and even good for both Labor and the Environment.

It seems the only way the republicans can gain back that seat is to run another person who might end up as moderate as Specter is.

[brentspeak]

6. Time for a major Democratic primary opponent against Specter

Specter will not beat Ridge in an election.

[Captain Hilts]

8. Another veteran, such as Patrick Murphy? nt

[brentspeak]

9. Not a bad choice

Ridge has a lot of negatives that he can't make go away. Among them, his role in getting Bush/Cheney into office (and ruining the nation), and in being a Hershey's "economic advisor" on their Board during a time when Hershey's shipped a lot of plants out of PA. Much younger Murphy doesn't have a long negative history.

[LynneSin]

12. No PA Dem within the system will run against Specter

Sestak is nothing more than a 'threat' and Murhpy hasn't shown his ability to raise the big cash. And both Murphy & Sestak would have to compete with the Philly vote that Specter tends to win big because that is his hometown.

[uponit7771]

10. Specter is NO DOUBT a head fake for ridge, there's NO DOUBT about this!!!

There is NO REASON to believe ANYONE from the GOP in regards to Specter