Sen. Arlen Specter (D-Pa.) is facing challenges from both parties as he runs for a sixth term, this time as a Democrat. His challengers, Rep. Joe Sestak (D) and former Rep. Pat Toomey (R), are teaming up in an effort to oust the senator -- last night they met in Allentown for a joint health care forum, then shared a beer together.

Both candidates still have their work cut out for them, according to a new Franklin & Marshall College Poll (Aug. 25-31, 562 RV, MoE +/- 4.1%). Specter leads Sestak by 26 points in the Democratic primary and Toomey by 8 points in a general election matchup.

Dem Primary
Specter 37 (+4 vs. last poll, June)
Sestak 11 (-2)
Und 46 (-2)

General Election
Specter 37 (+8 vs. last poll, April)
Toomey 29 (+3)
Und 25 (-9)

Toomey 26
Sestak 22
Und 46

They're both also still unknown to most voters -- 73% said they hadn't heard enough about Sestak to have an opinion about him, and 63% said the same about Toomey. As for Specter, who's been in the Senate since 1980, 35% hold a favorable opinion of him and 42% an unfavorable opinion. These numbers are up a few points since June.

One potential hiccup for Specter is the down economy. Just 33% feel Pennsylvania is headed in the right direction, while 59% say it's on the wrong track -- numbers like these can cause the electorate to go for a change in the ballot box. Also, President Obama's job approval rating is down to 47% from 55% in June.