Tom Ridge Considers Senate Bid

[babylonsister]

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2009/05/02/ridge_considers_senate_bid.html

Ridge Considers Senate Bid


Former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge (R) is considering running for the U.S. Senate nomination in his home state, reports Roll Call.

National Republicans "have been publicly and privately urging Ridge to consider a Senate bid since Sen. Arlen Specter (D-PA) announced earlier this week that he was switching parties and would run for re-election as a Democrat in 2010."

Ridge's "moderate politics and national profile would make him a more viable candidate" in the general election than former Rep. Pat Toomey (R-PA).

[WeDidIt]

1. It's Too Late For Ridge

The insane base wants Toomey and will accept no substitute.

[WI_DEM]

2. On the one hand a primary between Ridge & Toomey might be bloody on the other hand

if Ridge wins the primary and goes up against Arlen I honestly think he would win the election. In some ways another Dem nominee would be a much better prospect.

[KharmaTrain]

3. It Could Spill Over Across The Country

If Ridge runs, that indicates the "party elders" have split with the "supply siders"...a rift that could spread across the country; especially if Toomey wins.

Ridge could beat Toomey, but at a big price...not uniting but dividing the party futher. I could see many who voted for the loser either staying home or crossing over in the general...thus even if Toomey wins, he could easily poll only 25-30% in the general due to the primary fall-out.

Like many others here, I'd like to see Joe Sustak take on Arlen in the Democratic primary and am ready to throw some shekels to make that happen. Arlen's game helps the Democrats for the next year...and I want to see leftward pressure on Arlen. If Arlen continues to vote like a rushpublican with a (D) after his name, I see him losing in the primaries...and I sure won't miss him.

[AlinPA]

4. Ridge would beat Toomey and Ridge would beat Specter. Ridge is well liked

in much of PA for some crazy reason. In the general election, those disaffected R's who changed to D would vote for Ridge.