The National Republican Senatorial Committee is taking some revenge on Arlen Specter, with a new robocall campaign targeted at Democratic primary voters in Pennsylvania — reminding them of former President George W. Bush’s support for Specter, in an effort to drive a wedge between Specter and the voters of his new party:
“I’m here to say it as plainly as I can, Arlen Specter is the right man for the United States Senate,” Bush says, in the audio from a campaign ad from Specter’s closely-fought 2004 primary against conservative challenger Pat Toomey. “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 as the United States Senator.”
That last line from Bush does have a certain dramatic irony, referring to a politician who switched parties five years later. A reader of ours has already told us they’ve received the call.
The NRSC has also set up a new Web page, Meet Democrat Arlen Specter, featuring some old Specter campaign ads from that 2004 primary, with the endorsements of George W. Bush and Rick Santorum, plus some video of Specter saying he’ll stay a Republican, or criticizing Harry Reid, and all sorts of news clippings of Specter being a partisan Republican.
Full NRSC press release after the jump.
NRSC Introduces Pennsylvanians To Democrat Senator Arlen Specter
Launches Calls, Web Site Targeting Democrat Primary Voters
WASHINGTON – The National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) launched calls today informing Pennsylvania Democrat primary voters about their new Democrat U.S. Senator, Arlen Specter. The calls, which highlight Senator Specter’s record and glowing support from former President George W. Bush, will target tens of thousands of Democrat primary voters in the Keystone State.
“In light of Senator Specter’s changing political party, we felt it was our civic duty to adequately inform Pennsylvania Democrat primary voters about their new Senator’s record and his close relationship with our former President George W. Bush,” said NRSC spokeswoman Amber Wilkerson.
In addition, the NRSC launched a new web site today, “Meet Democrat Senator Arlen Specter,” which will keep Pennsylvanians informed about their new Democrat Senator’s record and statements important to voters in the Keystone State. To view the NRSC’s new web site, please visit: www.nrsc.org/meetarlen.
LISTEN TO THE NRSC’s NEW CALL HERE: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5DsEHhLK04s
“MEET ARLEN” CALL TRANSCRIPT:
ANNOUNCER: (Disclaimer) Hello, this is Jack. I’ve recorded this message on behalf of the National Republican Senatorial Committee located at 425 2nd St, Washington, DC or 202-675-4260 to help you welcome your newest Democrat Senator, Arlen Specter.
We wanted to make sure that we properly introduced him to you. Former President George W. Bush said this about Arlen Specter.
PRESIDENT BUSH: 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 – 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 as the United States Senator.
ANNOUNCER: Now here is Senator Specter on important issues to Labor and Democrat interest groups.
SEN SPECTER: I will not be an automatic 60th vote. And I would illustrate that by my position on employee’s choice also known as card check. Uh, I think it is a bad deal and I’m opposed to it and would not vote to invoke cloture.
ANNOUNCER: (Disclaimer) For more information, please visit nrsc.org/meetarlen. This call is paid for by the National Republican Senatorial Committee at www.nrsc.org and not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee.
