Newly minted Democrat target of Union ads

    Two separate ads pressuring Senator Arlen Specter to support progressive causes are appearing on Pennsylvania TV sets. The Republican-turned-Democrat is now a target of the left, which wants to make sure Specter votes with President Obama before they support his re-election bid.

    Two separate ads pressuring Senator Arlen Specter to support progressive causes are appearing on Pennsylvania TV sets. The Republican-turned-Democrat is now a target of the left, which wants to make sure Specter votes with President Obama before they support his re-election bid.

    Listen:
    [audio: 090513spdemo.mp3]

    A pro-union group began running statewide ads asking Specter to support a bill that eases restrictions on union organizing.

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    And a coalition called Healthcare for America Now is running ads pressuring Specter to support a public healthcare plan modeled on Medicare. Specter recently switched positions on the issue, saying he would be open to a plan that competes with private insurers.

    But the coalition isn’t taking any chances. Jeff Garis is the executive director of Penn Action.

    Garis: Arlen Specter has been a quickly changing man over the last couple of months, things seem to be up for grabs. He’s switched parties, he seems to be switching positions. We’ll know what Arlen Specter believes when Arlen Specter casts a vote.

    Specter said he had some reservations about the coalition’s proposal, and wants to insure a level playing field.

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