After running neck and neck with Republican candidate Pat Toomey while fending off a strong challenge to his left from former Navy Admiral and US Rep. Joe Sestak since the summer of 2009, long time PA Senator Arlen Specter has taken a sizable lead in recent polls.
So why the recent swing in the polls? What's changed?
Only one thing has changed, and Congressional Democrats would be wise to take note...
Feb 17th 2010
In the race for Arlen Specter’s Senate seat Republican Pat Toomey continues to lead the veteran politician by nine-points, 47-38%. One in ten Pennsylvanias prefer another candidate in the event of that match up or remain uncertain of their support. Joe Sestak actually does slightly better against Toomey than Specter. He trails 43-35% but a considerable number of voters (15%) still are unsure about either candidate meaning the Delaware County Congressman has the potential to pick up more ground. The problem for Sestak is that he continues to run well behind Senator Specter in their primary contest. Although Rasmussen shows an improvement for him from last month Sestak still trails 51-36%.
http://www.examiner.com/...
Feb 19th 2010
Sen. Arlen Specter joined a number of his Democratic colleagues today in signing a letter supporting the inclusion of a public health insurance option in a health care reform bill, according to Specter's Senate office.
The letter, addressed to Majority Leader Harry Reid, reads: "We respectfully ask that you bring for a vote before the full Senate a public health insurance option under budget reconciliation rules."
Specter's support for the public option has ebbed and flowed. On Meet the Press in May right after he switched political parties, host David Gregory asked him, "Would you support health care reform that puts up a government-run public plan to compete with a private plan issued by a private insurance company?" Specter replied, "No."
http://blogs.mcall.com/...
That was then...
Mar 2nd 2010
Specter, seeking a sixth term as a Democrat after 28 years as a Republican senator, leads U.S. Rep. Joe Sestak in his new party's primary 53 percent to 29 percent, the survey finds.
The poll also shows Specter ahead of Toomey 49 to 42 percent, after being essentially tied with the Republican since last summer. In December, for instance, the Quinnipiac Poll found a literal tie between the two men, at 44 percent each.
http://www.philly.com/...
This... is NOW!!!!
Lesson:
Support the Public Option or start updating your resumes.
UPDATE: Thank you Ed Shultz for seeing my point!!!!
Just opened with Specter surging after supporting PO!!!!!!