Sen. Specter Wins, Then Dumps the President

"I think it's very important to focus on what President Bush wants," said Sen. Arlen Specter, the liberal Republican from Pennsylvania.

But that was Tuesday – before the primary election was over and Specter needed Bush.

Now that the man who did in Judge Bork for the Supreme Court has narrowly defeated a challenge from conservative Rep. Pat Toomey, the president might want to remember a popular saying: Be careful what you wish for.

"Specter, Victory in Hand, Now Pushes Bush Away," the New York Times crowed today.

"Just hours after he had squeaked by a conservative opponent in a grueling primary, Senator Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania on Wednesday began emphasizing his independence from the man who many Republicans believe carried him to victory, President Bush."

After winning by only 16,000 votes out of more than 1 million cast, an embarrassment for an incumbent, Specter scrambled to emphasize his differences with Bush.

He bragged of his support for stem-cell research that destroys human embryos and his opposition to school choice, tax relief and the administration's minimum-wage plan.

"I intend to retain my independent voice. The people of Pennsylvania have not elected me to be a rubber stamp," Specter said.

"I don't give anybody a blank check, including the president of the United States."

'I Can Count on This Man'

Here's what Bush trumpeted last week in an ad Specter aired: "I'm here to say it as plainly as I can. Arlen Specter is the right man for the United States Senate. ... I can count on this man."

Franklin & Marshall College pollster G. Terry Madonna said: "It's not arguable that Specter owes his victory to President Bush. His appearance with Specter [April 19 in Pittsburgh] was noticeable. We caught it in our polling. Wayward Republican voters came around to Specter. The appeal that the party needs you, the president needs you, proved to be the difference."

Angry supporters of Toomey blamed Bush and Specter's other prominent booster, Sen. Rick Santorum.

"Santorum undermined fellow conservatives in a really ignoble way, telling people a conservative can't win. Our members won't forget that for a long time," said Stephen Moore, president of Club for Growth.

Some will say that Specter's move away from Bush will help keep the seat.

It might, but Specter's attacks on Bush might also cost Bush the presidential election.

Pennsylvania, which Bush lost in 2000, has been considered winnable this time. Reportedly, that was the main reason Bush came out swinging for Specter – believing a more moderate Republican Senate candidate could help him win over moderate and swing voters.

Fat chance now that Specter has come out swinging at Bush, all in an effort to keep his Senate seat.

Editor's note: