The First Read — May 27, 2009

Good Morning!

Every Monday-Thursday morning, pa2010.com compiles the most important political news of the day, from newspapers to the blogosphere and back. Enjoy this edition.

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Its official: Specter is a Democrat
Though he announced his intention to switch parties last month, only more recently did Senator Arlen Specter officially become a member of the Democratic Party. Read More

Scranton backs Toomey for Senate
In another sign that Republicans are lining up behind a Senate candidate, former Lt. Gov. Bill Scranton today endorsed Pat Toomey for the party’s nomination. Read More

THE PRESS ROOM: Kortz gets some CQ love
It’s no secret that in state Representative Bill Kortz’s insurgent campaign for Senate, the biggest challenge is just getting people to listen. Kortz, the Allegheny County Democrat who has made clear he won’t be stepping aside for Senator Arlen Specter, got his first national press victory today, in the form of a fawning profile in Congressional Quarterly. Read More

Paradegoers encourage Sestak to seek Senate seat
U.S. Rep. Joe Sestak, dodging through the marchers in the Springfield Memorial Day Parade, sprinted from one side of Powell Road to the other yesterday to shake hands, pass out his business cards – and feel the love. Read More

Specter lauds court pick
Continuing his recent mindfulness of his new party, Senator Arlen Specter today voiced support for President Obama’s nomination of Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court. Read More

Obama nominates a judge, so Toomey, of course, bashes Specter
You’ve got to hand it to the people over at Pat Toomey’s campaign: Even with Senator Arlen Specter on the other side of the aisle, the Toomey folks won’t let an opportunity to attack Specter go by. Read More

Did Dems err on Arlen Specter’s switch?
Seniority is so important to senators that the Democrats’ move to knock Sen. Arlen Specter (D-Pa.) to the bottom of the seniority ladder so quickly after he joined their party may have seriously hurt their credibility with future party switchers. Indeed, while no Republican is currently considering switching sides, Democrats may have lost a critical bargaining chip if they ever want to woo other disaffected Republicans, according to many senators and aides. Read More

Toomey would lose out financially if he wins U.S. Senate seat
Pat Toomey will earn just a fraction of what he’s used to if he wins the U.S. Senate race next year. The Republican candidate brought in nearly $900,000 in earned income in 2008 and during the first five months of this year, including a $30,000 book advance and six figures worth of fees for serving on boards. That’s a far cry from the Senate’s $174,000 annual salary. Read More

Carney’s looking golden
Looks like Chris Carney’s days as a vulnerable Congressman could be near their end. Carney, a Democrat in the more conservative 10th District, had been considered vulnerable by Republicans last year, only to beat Chris Hackett more more than a dozen points. Read More

Scranton: Party rallying behind Toomey
Former Lieutenant Governor Bill Scranton told PoliticsPA Tuesday that Pat Toomey can win in an increasingly Democratic state by convincing moderates it’s “unhealthy” for Democrats to have such unchecked power in Washington. Read More

Have a great day!