Poll shows Specter's popularity with Republicans is dwindling

Republican U-S Senator Arlen Specter says he will vote against a bill that would make it easier for workers to unionize. The decision is a set back for organized labor, which heavily lobbied Specter as a key vote for the bill’s passage. The AFL-CIO had offered to support him in his upcoming primary in exchange for his vote.

Republican U-S Senator Arlen Specter says he will vote against a bill that would make it easier for workers to unionize. The decision is a set back for organized labor, which heavily lobbied Specter as a key vote for the bill’s passage. The AFL-CIO had offered to support him in his upcoming primary in exchange for his vote.

Transcript:
A new poll out today shows Specter is more popular among the states Democrats than he is among voters of his own party. According to the Franklin and Marshall College poll, four in ten Republicans surveyed say they have no preference in choosing between Specter and two potential opponents in the GOP primary.

But Pollster Terry Madonna says Specter’s decision to vote against labor on the “card check” bill means he will gain the support of the state’s business community.

Madonna: “Card check was potentially a defining vote for Senator Specter as to whether he had the ability to win a Republican primary next year. I think it was that important.”

Specter angered fellow Republicans when he cast one of only three GOP votes for the $787 billion economic stimulus plan last month.

Specter will likely face the conservative Pat Toomey and the anti-abortion activist Peg Luksik.

Listen:
Click on the play button below or right click on this link and choose “Save Link As” to download. [audio: reports20090325specterpoll.mp3]