News/Campaigns

Specter having tough time finding lunch buddies

Sen. Arlen Specter, who announced Tuesday that he’d be seeking reelection as a Democrat, said he had nothing to say to constituents at this time, while searching for new lunch companions.

“I don’t have to say anything to them,” Specter said to a swarm of Republicans Tuesday afternoon.. “They’ve said it to me.”

He said he’d be having lunch with his wife and son — not the Senate Republicans he’s lunched with every week.

“I’ve got my wife. I have my wife,” Specter said to laughter after emerging from Senate elevators to a mob of reporters. “There she is, the good-looking blonde over there. And the handsome fella is my son. We’re about to go down to the dining room. That’s where I’m having lunch.”

Specter said he’ll have a news conference this afternoon in the Capitol to discuss his decision.