Ridge to 'Primary' Toomey for PA Senate?

With yesterday's surprise announcement that Pennsylvania Senator Arlen Specter would switch to the Democratic Party, it has generally been assumed he would automatically face former conservative Congressman Pat Toomey in the General Election. This may -- or may not -- be the case.

Despite the Pennsylvania Democratic Machine's efforts to "clear the field," Rep. Joe Sestak is still considering whether or not to stay in the race -- and he has publicly noted that Specter's decision was based on expediency.

It is interesting that the same folks (like Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell) who were behind Hillary Clinton in 2008 Pennsylvania Democratic Primary are now lining up behind Specter -- and getting their former foe, Barack Obama to do so, as well. One has to assume that there is at least a possibility that some Pennsylvania Democrats (most likely former Obama backers) may resent this coronation of a former Republican who voted for the Iraq war. At the very least, an unwanted primary challenge could force Specter further to the left than he wants to go -- and perhaps cause him to spend some resources he would rather save.

This, of course, would all help Pat Toomey ... assuming he doesn't face his own primary change.

On the other side of the aisle, rumors have been circulating that former Pennsylvania Governor and Senator Tom Ridge might be persuaded to run against Toomey in the primary. This, of course, would be an ideological clash between the conservative Toomey and the pro-choice Ridge (who helped Specter narrowly fend off Toomey's 2004 challenge).

Some moderate Republicans like Senator Lindsay Graham are already excited about the Ridge idea. And Sen. Orrin Hatch is out there saying Toomey doesn't have a shot.

As this race continues to take shape, it is entirely possible that the excitement is just getting started ...