A new
Keystone Poll (PDF) shows Sen. Specter's weakening in the eyes of Penn voters, with only 39 percent of adults approving of his job as senator. The poll does show Specter widening his lead over primary opponent Rep. Pat Toomey, from 49-18 in November, to 55-17 today.
I considered this primary race a potential upset possibility, but that doesn't appear to be materializing. Now we get to see whether PA's hard-right community, stirred up by Bush's Hate Amendment, can help push Toomey's numbers up. Toomey is a bona fide and proud wingnut, while Specter wears that "moderate" label with pride. Gay marriage may have an effect on this primary.
Still, time is running out on Toomey. And unless he makes a move and soon, Specter will be the Republican nominee on April 27.
Which then amplifies the importance of Specter's poor job approval numbers. This latest Keystone Poll didn't pit Specter against Dem opponent Joe Hoeffel, which is perhaps for the best. Given Hoeffel's poor name recognition right now, Specter would likely defeat him handily.
But that'll change as the election plays out. Specter's approval numbers suggest he is vulnerable to a strong challenge. And if Hoeffel can provide that strong challenge, it looks like Pennsylvania will be a real, if second-tier, pickup opportunity.
(Oh, and Kerry beats Bush 47-46-8 in PA.)
*****
South Carolina
Dem chances to hold our Senate seat in South Carolina took a hit when former governor David Beasley joined the fray. Far more popular than the second-tier Republicans running for the nomination, Beasley's candidacy put this seat in the critical category.
It still is, but it looks like we're getting an assist from the state's Kluxer community. They blame Beasley for the removal of the Confederate Flag from the state capitol.
Former Governor and present turncoat and scalawag David Beasley is running to fill the U. S. senatorial seat of scalawag Fritz Hollings and the South Carolina League of the South has decided that we want Mr. Beasley to know that we have not forgotten and will not forgive his betrayal of the Southern people.
Here they are in action: