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Specter’s public-option switch shows importance of primary

In another sign that Senator Arlen Specter is anticipating a primary fight with Congressman Joe Sestak (D-7), the newly Democratic senator last week told a crowd of union activists that he supports a public health-insurance option as part of health-care reform, The Morning Call reported. pa2010.com also picked up the story.

“I know you are very interested in the public component and I think Senator Schumer has the right idea about having a public component,” were Specter’s startling words at a rally at the Capitol City Brewery near Union Station. His comments were remarkable because Specter opposed a public option only months ago. His sudden shift is further evidence that Specter is readjusting some of his positions on key Democratic initiatives in order to secure the nomination.

It’s a smart strategy. While polls aren’t exactly terrific for Specter now, they don’t spell certain defeat either. His plunge can mostly be attributed to two forces: the massive hemorrhaging of Republican support (down to a piddling 11 percent), and the tepid approval of Democrats and independents, of whom on 44 percent and 24 percent said they’d like to see Specter re-elected in last week’s Franklin & Marshall poll. By appealing to Democratic primary voters with positions more in line with President Obama’s, Specter will gain ground among the people he needs to secure the nomination, and outflank any primary challengers. It’s politics at its most naked, but I have a sneaking suspicion it will pay off.

June 30, 2009 at 12:24 pm

--Adam Schwartzbaum

Tags: Arlen Specter, health care, Joe Sestak

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