Poll: Even Republicans Want Specter To Back EFCA

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http://theplumline.whorunsgov.com/labor/poll-even-republicans-want-specter-to-back-efca/

Poll: Even Republicans Want Specter To Back EFCA


Buried in this week’s Quinnipiac Poll of Pennsylvania is a stunning number that really leaves you wondering why Arlen Specter is holding out against the Employee Free Choice Act.

The poll finds that twice as many Pennsylvania Republicans want him to support the measure than want him to oppose it. Twenty six percent of Republicans say his opposition makes them less likely to back him; only 13% say it makes them more likely.

Overall, the numbers are roughly the same. Twenty three percent of Pennsylvania voters overall say his opposition makes them less likely to back him; 14% say it makes them more likely.

Labor officials think these numbers are partly explained by the sizable number of GOP union members in the state. Either way, by opposing EFCA, Specter maintains some kind of appearance of independence. If he were to support it, he’d get labor’s full backing, would probably avoid a Dem primary, and if anything would gain with voters, if this poll is to be believed.

Which may help explain why, according to Sam Stein, Specter met privately with labor officials today. Maybe all the noise labor is making about supporting a Dem primary challenger to Specter is having an impact on his position.

Separately, don’t miss TPM’s interview with potential challenger Joe Sestak, in which he really amps up the rhetoric against Specter.