Specter Promises to run as Republican despite speculation

By: Scott Detrow

With new polls showing general Republican dissatisfaction with Senator Arlen Specter, some observers are wondering whether the longtime incumbent would be better off running for reelection as an independent next year.

By: Scott Detrow
scott_detrow@pubradionews.net

With new polls showing general Republican dissatisfaction with Senator Arlen Specter, some observers are wondering whether the longtime incumbent would be better off running for reelection as an independent next year.

Transcript:
According to the latest Quinnipiac University polling data, 71 percent of Pennsylvania Democrats approve of Specter’s job performance.

That’s nearly double the 36 percent of Republicans who think the GOP senator is doing a good job.

Specter’s high-profile support for the federal stimulus package has earned at least two primary challengers already, and cost him a lot of good will within his own party.

Quinnipiac assistant polling director Clay Richards says Specter should consider running as an independent.

Richards: “Well, I think it would be an easier road to victory. There’s obviously huge respect for the senator in the state, overall. The Democrats love him and want to vote for him again. And also, I don’t see any strong Democratic candidate on the horizon.”

Pennsylvania has a so-called “sore loser law,” which means Specter would have to sit out the Republican primary if he wants to run as an independent. He couldn’t run, and then file as with a third party if he lost, as Joe Lieberman did after the 2006 Connecticut senate primary.

Speculation aside, Specter has insisted he’ll run as a Republican next year.

Listen:
Click on the play button below or right click on this link and choose “Save Link As” to download. [audio: reports20090326specterpoll.mp3]