August 28, 2008 - 11:13

Rooney calls Specter a 'very, very formidable opponent'

DENVER--Democrats in Pennsylvania are hoping that U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) could be vulnerable when he comes up for reelection in two years. But state Democratic Party Chairman T.J. Rooney this morning cautioned that unseating the longtime moderate Republican in 2010 will be very difficult.

"Arlen Specter is a very, very formidable opponent," Rooney told PolitickerPa.com during the state delegation's breakfast here.

Rooney gave Specter credit for "staying grounded" as other elements of his party have moved further to the right.

Beating Specter, Rooney said, will take "a candidate with a compelling story and a hell of a lot of money."

Rooney declined to speculate who such a candidate might be, but U.S. Rep. Allyson Schwartz (D-Abington), U.S. Rep. Joe Sestak (D-Edgmont) and MSNBC Hardball host Chris Matthews have all been mentioned as potential challengers.

"Suffice it to say, we are replete with people who could fit that bill," Rooney said.

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Dan Hirschhorn is a PolitickerPA.com Reporter and can be reached via email at noreply@politicker.com.

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