Arlen Specter's political future is on the line today in the Pennsylvania Democratic primary. Interestingly, that race also presents another issue: the veracity of Barack Obama. As you may recall, President Obama heartily endorsed Arlen Specter when Specter switched from the Republicans to the Democrats. Obama endorsed him for re-election and said that he would do what it took to get Specter re-elected. We know from Specter's challenger Sestak, that this Obama promise led to Sestak being offered a job by the White House if he would drop his primary race against Specter. That job offer was a federal crime, but Sestak still says that the offer was made (although he no longer talks about it).
Now that polls show that Specter may lose, the strength of Obama's promise is being put to the test. Specter asked for an appearance by Obama in Pennsylvania over the weekend, but he got turned down by the White House. Strike one! Reporters asked Gibbs, Obama's press secretary, about the Pennsylvania primary and they were told that the president is not watching that race too closely, effectively moving Obama away from Specter. Strike two! The best that the White House has said recently about Specter is that the President has supported all incumbent senators and representatives. That was about as weak an endorsement as Obama could possibly give. He did not even mention Specter by name. Strike three!
There is only one conclusion that can be drawn from Obama's "support" of Specter: a promise from Obama means nothing. Obama just does what he thinks is good for Obama -- honesty and truth mean nothing to him. He has to go!
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