The fix is in (re: Specter). Or is it?

[Luminous Animal]

Make the pledge to run a real progressive against him in the primaries.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/I-support-a-real-progressive-against-Arlen-Specter/76951643702

http://openleft.com/diary/13081/would-you-step-up-to-help-a-progressive-challenger-to-specter

If there is a potential progressive challenger to Arlen Specter in Pennsylvania, they are probably scratching their head right now asking, "Would I have any chance at all if I ran, or is the fix in?"

What can progressives to do create an environment where this person feels they can run?

Legally, we can't put money in a pot for a fictional candidate. But we can pledge now that if a real progressive steps up, we'll get their back.

So, here's a little experiment. I just created a Facebook fan page (like a Facebook group) called "I support a real progressive against Arlen Specter."

People who join are pledging to give at least $25 to a credible progressive challenger who steps up. It'll either succeed or flop -- and that will solely be determined by whether the energy is there for people to join and pass it along to their friends.

[WI_DEM]

1. I don't think he will have any serious democratic opposition.

[Luminous Animal]

2. Indeed.

Our betters have already decided for us.

[Mz Pip]

3. How likely is a progressive Dem

to win in 2010 against someone like Toomey? Pennsylvania doesn't strike me as a state where a liberal progressive would necessarily do that well.

I would hate for the Democrats to start taking pages out of the Republican playbook by running candidates that only appeal to the base then end up losing the general election.

[elocs]

4. That's the rub isn't it? So many seem to prefer a candidate who maintains

purity to Democratic and particularly Liberals ideals and positions and lose rather than take more moderate positions that might actually get them elected. The far left and far right both have in common the attitude and conviction that they are absolutely correct and a "my way or the highway" philosophy, forgetting that most Americans are not at the extreme of either party. Neither seem to be pragmatic.

[SoCalDem]

5. oops a dupe..nt

[SoCalDem]

6. Pres. Obama sent the SIGNAL.. in caps..

Said he was supporting Specter IN THE PRIMARIES.. in other words, anyone who runs against him, will be on his shit-list..and will get NO democratic help..

Presidents usually stay OUT of primary politics, since it's a "family food-fight" then..and when it's all done, they support the winner, having played no favorites until then..

This is different.. it's the deal Specter made..

If the repubs run Ridge, he'd lose.. he;s been out of office for a while now, and he's pro-choice, so the repubs will turn up their noses at him...right before they cut them off:)

[Luminous Animal]

7. So nice of Obama to muscle out the public.

Same goes to our Democratic Senators.

[FamousAmos]

8. GOP is dunzo

There is no way around it anymore...we may see more in the House follow suite or at the least go independent.

[Duer 157099]

9. But what if they make the EFCA the central campaign point?

Isn't PA a very union-centric state? Or is that just something from it's past?

I can see a candidate who really pushes this issue, especially the educamational aspects of it (that is, get the stupid repugs educamated about what the EFCA really IS and get a really pro-union message out there) and I can see this going somewhere.

Anyone from PA know if this would be a viable strategery?

[anigbrowl]

10. Why not just shoot yourself in the foot?

Push for the most progressive candidates in fairly solid Dem seats or in fairly solid GOP seats, where they'll offer the greatest chance of change in either the primary or the congressional elections, respectively. Really...while Specter is certainly looking after his own interests, the guy just joined the party and some people want to kick him out before he's even had a chance to establish a new voting record as a dem.