Specter faces tough climate vote

Arlen Specter could be in a political pickle if a clean energy bill goes to the Senate floor this summer, says the National Journal's Amy Harder:

As a member of the Environment and Public Works Committee, Specter voted in favor of the climate bill that the panel approved along party lines in November -- which contained more stringent and comprehensive carbon controls than are likely to be included in the package set to be introduced Monday by Sens. John Kerry, D-Mass., Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and Joe Lieberman, I/D-Conn. If a climate bill comes to the floor, either Specter votes for the bill and Toomey attacks him for supporting a "massive job-killer," or Specter votes no and faces accusations of flip-flopping.

"I think it's an important issue in this race to the extent that it relates very closely to job growth. That's the number one issue in this race," Toomey said. He added that it's "entirely possible" Specter could vote no after voting in favor of the EPW bill, given the incumbent's record of "flip-flops," particularly his party-switch.