Specter’s pollster resigns

Caught off-guard by Sen. Arlen Specter’s decision to switch parties and pursue reelection as a Democrat, Specter’s campaign pollster resigned.

“Senator Specter has been a record-setting U.S. Senator, and we have been part of his campaign team in 1992, 1998, and 2004, but because of his surprising decision to switch parties today, we will no longer be involved,” said Glen Bolger, a partner for Republican polling firm Public Opinion Strategies. The firm handled Specter’s 1998 and 2004 reelection campaign.

“As Republicans, we are disappointed by Senator Specter’s decision,” Bolger continued.

The firm marks the first of what could prove to be a number of resignations from Specter’s Senate and campaign staffs as the long-serving lawmaker begins to affiliate with the Democrats.