Facing Primary Battle, Specter Shifts Leftward

Meet the man who beat Arlen Specter

(NEWSER) - Barack Obama was lined up against Joe Sestak until Tuesday, as was much of the Democratic establishment, but, well, that was Tuesday and this is now. The president called the Pennsylvania rep yesterday to congratulate him on beating Arlen Specter, and promised him his full support—including campaigning on his behalf. This from a guy who, Sestak reveals to the New York Times , offered him a high-ranking job last year to dissuade him from running against Specter. More»

Pennsylvania, Arizona, Kentucky offer intrigue

(NEWSER) - Four states go to the polls today, and the results will have huge implications. Politico breaks down what to watch for in each race, and we, as always, provide the cliff notes:

• Pennsylvania: Arlen Specter—the longest serving senator in state history—is in real danger of losing a primary to sophomore Rep. Joe Sestak. There's also a special election for the late John Murtha's seat. His district doesn't lean far right or left, so keep an eye on it as a November barometer.

Perry and KBH face off; Tea Party mounts challenge in Fla.

(NEWSER) - The 2010 primaries will see the GOP repairing its identity and soul-searching among Democrats. The 10 most important races, according to Chris Cillizza of the Washington Post :

1. Texas governor, R: Rick Perry is running for an unprecedented third term, and voters seem to approve. But Kay Bailey Hutchison is a popular, crafty, and well-funded opponent.
2. Florida Senate, R: The looming battle between Gov. Charlie Crist and former state House Speaker Marco Rubio is being closely watched as a bellwether of the rift between GOP moderates and the insurgent Tea Party movement.

Some Democrat's fret about administration's increasingly partisan direction

(NEWSER) - The Obama administration is becoming increasingly assertive in trying to influence state-level elections around the country, the New York Times reports. White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel and other top political strategists have made it plain that they're willing to play hardball to strengthen the Democratic ticket where necessary—they've recruited (or discouraged) candidates in six states, including New York, where they've tried to persuade Gov. David Paterson not to run. More»

Renegades take aim at Specter, Gillibrand

(NEWSER) - Two House Democrats look ready to stage Senate primary challenges in 2010—even if the White House doesn’t like it, Politico reports. Joe Sestak of Pennsylvania says a presidential intervention wouldn’t change his mind about a run against Arlen Specter; New York’s Carolyn Maloney is “way past” concern for what the president thinks, says her likely strategist, as she targets Kirsten Gillibrand’s seat. More»