Specter 'Promised' Senate Seniority Retention Only To Be Stripped

It was not long ago that Senator Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania made a major announcement. He announced his switch from a Republican to a Democrat. This has caused a severe blow to the GOP ranks. In many senses, this may be the start of the GOP deciding which route to go. At the same time, Specter’s political future is still uncertain as he is running for reelection in 2010. So far, it is revealed that Specter faces stiff competition from both Republicans and Democrats. New information revealed could make it hard for Specter’s reelection run. This information could be used against Specter by both Democrats and Republicans. According to what CNN reports, Specter said that Democratic Senate Leader Harry Reid promised that he would retain Senate seniority. Also in the report, the Senate also voted to strip Specter of seniority. In that respect, Specter said he was promised the retention of his Senate seniority. At the same time, he had a complete 180 performed on him. An article on Politico reports that Reid explained on CNN that while a deal was made with Specter on the preservation of seniority, he knew that it would have to wait. A Washington Post article reports on Specter standing by what he has said in regards to the maintaining of his seniority in the US Senate. It also points out a contradiction on Reid’s part. It further explains that Reid said that there are no guarantees. But the day before, Reid said that after 2010, Specter would regain his seniority. Also, there is still the post on Politico in that respect. It does point out tensions towards Specter from senior Senate Democrats. The Pittsburgh Business Times reports that Specter lost his seniority on the Senate committees he serves on: Judiciary, Veterans Affairs, Appropriations, Environment and Public Works, and Special Aging. In short, Specter lost his seniority on the issue. However, this could be temporary. This topic could be touched again in 2010. Despite Specter’s time in office, he is now a junior Democratic Senator. In a US News opinion blog, the entry gives fair warning to the Democrats in regards to what has happened with Specter. However, there is one question to be asked: Will Specter’s political future survive until that time? A Seattle Post-Intelligencer article reports that a Public Opinion Strategies poll that in the Senate race, Specter could be defeated by former Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge. In that respect, Ridge is a possible candidate to pay attention to for the 2010 Pennsylvania Senate seat run. With everything that is factored together, things are uncertain for Specter. On top of that, it would look as if the Democratic Party let alone Senate Democrats are on the road to a world of major political hurt in the near future. There are questions to be asked. Will Specter remain a junior senator? Did Reid really promise anything? Will Specter win reelection? If so, will Specter regain his seniority in the US Senate? There are variables to factor in during the 2010 Pennsylvania Senate seat race. Again, Specter will face stiff competition from Republicans and Democrats. A Huffington Post article is tossing around the possibility of Democratic Representative Joe Sestak to run against Specter in the Democratic primary.