Senator Arlen Specter, as reported, is going to have a long, hard campaign ahead.

A recent email from Specter reveals three issues that may be key in Specter’s reelection.

The first (1) is the budget.  In the email Specter reports that he opposes it because “it spends too much money on top of the $700 billion last year authorized by President Bush.” This is really important because not only is Specter coming out against Obama, he is also trying to stress the important link between himself and independence from either party; (a Maverick of sorts) by also pointing out how he contrasted with Bush.

The Second (2) issue is the Employee Free Choice Act, where Specter’s position  had created a huge buzz–when he came out against it– because he was potentially the only Republican pick-up for the bill and key to eliminating a filibuster by the Republicans. In the email he is taking a hard-line Republican rhetorical stance ” [with original stress] the secret ballot is very fundamental in our democratic process” This rhetoric clearly reveals that Specter is going to try to side with the right as much as possibly hoping that Toomey, his most likely opponent in the primary, will have no chance of developing an effective right-of-center movement against him.  This proves risky. But nonetheless, it may be the only way for him to campaign successfully as a Republican since he chose not to change parties.

Lastly (3), Specter makes note that David Hamilton’s judicial nomination has been processed too quickly (for his liking). As the ranking Republican on the Judicial Committee watch for Specter to use his voice on this panel as an effective campaigning venue for illustrating his  Republican leadership skills.