Election 2010: Is GOP Teaming Up With Sestak Vs. Specter?

This could be shaping up to be a rough week on all sides for U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter, in advance of next Tuesday's Democratic primary election.  President Obama Solicitor nominated General Elena Kagan for the U.S. Supreme Court this morning.

The campaign of U.S. Rep. Joe Sestak, Specter's primary opponent, along with the National Republican Senatorial Committee immediately noted that Specter voted against Kagan last year when she was nominated for Solicitor General.  That was just before Specter jumped from the GOP to the Democratic Party, saying he did not want his record judged by conservative primary voters.

And now former U.S. Rep. Pat Toomey, who narrowly lost to Specter in the 2004 GOP primary, is going up with his first statewide television campaign commercial, heavy on the theme of more jobs and less government.  Toomey, sitting with his kids in the commercial, says "future generations deserve better."  That looks like a veiled shot at Specter's age -- 80 -- as he seeks a sixth six-year term in office.

Maybe the GOP is hoping to help Sestak beat Specter.  Toomey, who faces little-known Peg Luksik in the Republican primary, polls very well in a November match-up versus Sestak.

UPDATE, 12:22 pm:  You can read more about Specter's position on Kagan as solicitor general here.  Specter in March 2009 said he was sure Kagan would be confirmed for that post but objected because he felt she had not fully answered some of his questions during the confirmation process.