Liberal , moderate Northeastern was once a strong part of landscape . Specter 's decision to switch parties raises a lot of questions about the party . There 's been a slow northern shift to GOP 's ` ` Southern strategy , '' Holland says . GOP has been left for dead before , only to come back to life .
Liberal , moderate Northeastern Republicans once a strong part of landscape . Specter 's decision to switch parties raises a host of questions about the GOP . There 's been a slow northern backlash to GOP 's `` Southern strategy , '' Holland says . GOP has been left for dead before , only to spring back to life .