Will Dems be looking for Specter endorsements?

Before Senator Arlen Specter again became a pariah to the GOP’s conservative base, down-ballot candidates would habitually bring him on stage to get his backing for their candidacies.

Now that Specter’s switching sides, it begs the question: Will Democrats do the same?

“Some candidates might take advantage of the opportunity to campaign with Senator Specter,” state Democratic Party chairman T.J. Rooney said. “Obviously those decisions are candidate and district specific.

“I don’t know if there would be a wholesale move to that, but it does change the dynamic,” Rooney added. “It’s something I’m sure more than a few will consider for sure.”

The same polling data that led Specter to make the switch would seem to give Democrats reason to be seen with him, with Specter having approval ratings among Democrats as strong as the low-70s.

Especially in Specter’s southeast Pennsylvania base, Democrats are likely to jump at the chance for his endorsements.

“In the areas where he generates the bulk of his votes in southeastern Pennsylvania, I think it’s helpful,” Democratic political consultant David Dunphy said.

Specter campaign manager Christopher Nicholas declined to speculate on what kind of endorsements his boss would offer up.

“I have not had any conversations [with Specter] about that,” Nicholas said.