On CNN’s Late Edition today, Wolf Blitzer asked Sen. Arlen Specter about one of his potential challengers next year. Blitzer also spoke with New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez who’s head of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.
BLITZER: …you’ve seen these reports out there that Chris Matthews, the anchor for MSNBC, is think of running in his home state of Pennsylvania as a Democrat against you when you’re up for re-election in 2010. A, do you believe these reports? B, what do you think?
SPECTER: Well, I’m going to have an opponent. In fact, I’m going to have two opponents, Wolf, one in the primary where I always have a tough race, and again in the general. I long ago adopted the philosophy of Satchel Paige, the old pitcher, and that is I never look over my shoulder, never look behind. Somebody may be gaining on me. I run with blinders. Wolf, I’ll be prepared, whoever my opponents are.
AdvertisementBLITZER: Are you ready to try to get him defeated, Senator Menendez? You’re in charge of getting Democrats elected to the Senate. If Chris Matthews decides to throw his hat in the ring, are you going to be with him?
BLITZER (to Menendez): You’re in charge of getting Democrats elected to the Senate. You’ve heard these reports about Chris Matthews. Do you believe him? Have you spoken to him? Have you spoken to intermediaries on his behalf?
MENENDEZ: I haven’t spoke on the Chris or to intermediaries as to whether reports are true or not. You’ve been in the business a long time, Wolf, and we’ll see when there are announcements and then we can judge them.
BLITZER: Go ahead, Senator Specter.
SPECTER: Wolf, I don’t know what anyone else is doing, but I know what one man is doing — Arlen Specter is running.
BLITZER: I know you are. We also wish you the best of health, Senator Specter.
• Related: Politico.com: Matthews Staffing for Senate Run