Aw, shucks
Specter Wins Pennsylvania Senate Primary
By JAMES DAO
PHILADELPHIA, Wednesday, April 28 — Senator Arlen Specter, a four-term Republican known for his centrist stands, turned back a ferocious challenge from his party's right wing on Tuesday, barely defeating Representative Patrick J. Toomey in the Senate primary in Pennsylvania.
With 98 percent of precincts reporting, Mr. Specter led Mr. Toomey by 50.8 percent to 49.2 percent. Turnout was weak.
Mr. Specter told weary supporters in a hotel ballroom here shortly before 1 a.m. Wednesday, "Now is the time, having settled our family disagreement within the Republican Party, to unite, to re-elect President Bush, to maintain the Republican majority in the United States Senate."
Mr. Toomey conceded defeat and urged his supporters to unite behind the Republican ticket.
"I intend to do everything I possibly can to help both President Bush and Senator Specter be re-elected, and I urge you all to do that as well," Mr. Toomey said in Allentown.
Social and fiscal conservatives from across the nation had rallied to Mr. Toomey's cause, portraying the race as a struggle for the party's future and a chance for conservatives to dominate Washington more completely than at any time since the New Deal.
But Mr. Specter, 74, touted his long record of winning federal money for Pennsylvania, his seniority and his support from the Republican establishment, including President Bush. His campaign criticized Mr. Toomey, 42, as "far out," and broadcast commercials featuring Mr. Bush.
