Looks like Messrs. Rendell, Biden and Reid might have outsmarted themselves.
Former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge is considering running for the Republican Senate nomination in his home state, according to a senior Republican aide with knowledge of the situation.
National and Keystone State Republicans have been publicly and privately urging Ridge to consider a Senate bid since Sen. Arlen Specter (Pa.) announced earlier this week that he was switching parties and would run for re-election as a Democrat in 2010.
. . . .
A former six-term House Member, Ridge is still popular in Pennsylvania, where he served as governor from 1995 to 2001. He left office to be President George W. Bush’s first secretary of Homeland Security but retired from the Cabinet in 2005 and joined the private sector.
http://www.politico.com/...
If he's runs, Ridge would have a decent shot at beating Toomey in the primary. And just as good, if not better, a chance of beating Specter in the general. Even if Joe Sestak runs and beats Specter, he would be no better than a 50-50 shot against Ridge. The one wildcard is that because Ridge is pro-choice, a pro-lifer like Peg Lusik might run as an independent. But her presence didn't prevent Ridge from being elected governor in 1994.
The Democrats never should have made a deal with Specter. They would have been far better off with him running, and losing, a Republican primary. Had he insisted on switching and running as a Democrat, he should have not have been given anything in return, and he should have had to run a race without party and white house support. Now, what looked like a good chance at a hold or a pick up, may become a very iffy proposition.