MarkDel,
When he destroyed Bork it was not an election year (1987), he had just been re-elected. When he helped Thomas, it was an election year for him (1992). He always gives us just enough to keep him around in the primaries, then gives us 5 years of garbage until he's up for re-election again.
As for my analysis of who the stronger candidate is, I don't think I've been proven wrong at all. Specter has been able to win when he has had conservatives with him. You cannot guarantee that they will be there in November this time because Specter has never faced a meaningful primary challenge before. We know that Toomey can win though since Santorum wins, and I think Toomey is more moderate than Santorum.
As for the guy's personality, I have never before heard anyone say anything nice about Specter the man. His nickname among staffers is "Snarlin Arlen", and he known for being a jerk. Maybe this meanness is a new phenomenon now that he is senior Senator, and he was different back when you were a staffer.
John,
Nope, I know Specter's Chief of Staff very well. Known him for 20 years. The reason Specter comes off as "pissed off" all the time is because he's personally a very paranoid guy who is not at all comfortable with the Washington, DC style of smling to your face and then ripping you behind your back. The guy is incredibly nice behind closed doors.
As for Toomey, I like him as well, but he will be at best a 50/50 shot in the general election while Specter is a guaranteed winner. I can't believe that Conservatives in PA would be dumb enough to abandon Specter and let a Democrat be elected...