"While it is tempting to think that the Democratic leadership and the White House might put considerable pressure on Sestak to stay out of the primary and leave Specter alone, don't count on it. Apart from the fact that the famously stubborn Sestak adversely reacts to pressure by others, the threat of a primary makes Specter a better and more reliable Democrat on the Senate floor, something that is important given the contentious issues ahead over the next year. This also might be a sign that Democrats just aren't worried about the prospect of facing conservative former Rep. Pat Toomey in a general election."
Yes, the primary might make Arlen a more reliable vote. I also realize Arlen Specter's change gives dems the 60th vote in the senate but I don't think he should get a free pass during his DEM primary. The truth is, he is only has dem tendencies. He was a moderate repub but definitely carried Bush's water the past 8 years. Should he suddenly get a race without a primary? No. Pennsylvania is trending dem anyway and Arlen was going to lose his repub primary and then a good dem would have won the senate seat without Arlen. We don't need the leftovers of the repub party. We need good dems. Arlen better start showing his good dem credentials or he just might lose his senate seat.
