TOOMEY CAMPAIGN LAUNCHES HYPOCRISY ALERT ASKS: WHERE DOES ARLEN SPECTER STAND?
Contact: Nachama Soloveichik or Tim Kelly - 484.809.7994
Allentown, PA – Today, U.S. Senate candidate Pat Toomey launched the first video in an ongoing series called “Hypocrisy Alert,” highlighting Arlen Specter’s political opportunism on some of the most important issues facing the country today.
In the two and half months since Senator Specter became a Democrat, he has quickly demonstrated that he will assume any position, support any party, violate any principle so long as it furthers his own political career. As a nascent Democrat, facing the prospect of a primary, Senator Specter is now kowtowing to the far left element of his new party. The people of Pennsylvania deserve better than Senator Specter’s opportunism.
Transcript
Party Affiliation
Specter: I am staying a Republican because I think I have an important role, a more important role, to play there. The United States very desperately needs a two-party system. That's the basis of politics in America. (March 17, 2009, The Hill)
Specter: And therefore I’ve decided to be a candidate for reelection in 2010 in the Democratic primary. (April 28, 2009, MSNBC)
Health Care
David Gregory: Would you support health care reform that puts up a government-run public plan to compete with a private plan issued by a private insurance company?
Specter: No.
David Gregory: Let me—I want to return then to the issue of health care. You would not support a public plan?
Specter: That’s what I said and that’s what I meant.
(May 3, 2009, Meet the Press)
Specter: I think Senator Schumer has the right idea about having a public component which has a level playing field with the private sector, but the public component can be included. (June 25, 2009, Union rally, Allentown Morning Call, Pennsylvania Ave. Blog)
Card Check
Specter: The problems of the recession make this a particularly bad time to enact Employees Free Choice legislation. Employers understandably complain that adding a burden would result in further job losses. (March 24, 2009, www.specter.senate.gov)
Specter: I think you will be satisfied with my vote on this issue about union organizing and about first contract (June 6, 2009, Union rally, Pittsburgh, PA)
Presidential Allies
President Bush: I’m here to say as plainly as I can Arlen Specter is the right man for the United States Senate. I can count on this man. See, that’s important. He’s a firm ally when it matters most. I’m proud to tell you I think he’s earned another term in the United States Senate. (April 26, 2004, Citizens for Arlen Specter)
President Obama: Well, let me start off by just saying I’m thrilled to have Arlen in the Democratic Caucus. I have told him that he will have my full support in the Democratic primary. Joe Biden has said the same thing. (April 29, 2009, www.whitehouse.gov)
