APNewsBreak: Hagel backing Pa.'s Sestak for Senate

[RamboLiberal]

Source: San Francisco Chronicle/AP

Former Nebraska Sen. Chuck Hagel — a Republican — is throwing his support behind Democrat Joe Sestak in Pennsylvania's U.S. Senate race.

Hagel told The Associated Press on Monday that Sestak has demonstrated during his two terms in Congress that he puts what's best for the country before the interests of his party. He said Sestak's courage and integrity as a legislator are qualities the nation needs more of.

He refused to comment on the candidacy of Sestak's opponent, Republican Pat Toomey, a former congressman.



Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2010/08/23/national/a082217D09.DTL

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I wouldn't mind seeing Hagel here campaigning for Sestak, IMHO that would help with Independents & maybe some Republicans againtst Toomey. On edit I see Hagel is announcing his endorsement with Sestak tomorrow in Philadelphia & my city of Pittsburgh.

[shraby]

1. Is that a little reverse psychology to plant the seed that if

Hagel endorses Sestak, that means that Sestak may be more Republican than Democratic therefore turning off Democratic voters?

[Carnage251]

2. He endorsed Obama

[Inuca]

3. No, actually he did not

Not formally. His wife did though.

[northernlights]

5. I don't think so...

As I recall, Hagel burned himself with the current rethugs by turning vehemently antiwar.

He is one of the few republicans who I think honestly does try to put country before politics.

[Divernan]

7. Only one planting that seed is you. What's that about?

Are you channeling some of those passive agressive attack-Sestak-posts from the primary?
Cue the protesting response: I am just "concerned".
The endorsement is out there. Absolutely nothing to be gained by putting a negative spin on it.

[Kingofalldems]

4. Arlen Spector's little buddy won't like this one

Wow. :shrug:

[Divernan]

6. Hagel praises Sestak's "courageous, independent thinking."

To further quote Hagel: "I think he's exactly what our country needs more of. I think he's what the Senate needs more of - courageous, independent thinking," Hagel said. "That's what the job is about. You are supposed to use your judgment.
More from the OP's link:
It was the second time in a week that Sestak was endorsed by a prominent figure outside the Democratic Party as he sought to woo independent voters. Last week, he was endorsed by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, a three-term mayor who left the Republican Party to become an independent.

[Winterblues]

8. More Anti-Abortion Representation

Democrats are their own worst enemy.

[Divernan]

9. Sestak supports abortion rights; Toomey is anti-abortion

Here's the facts. Stop posting falsehoods about Joe Sestak. I'm looking forward to hearing your explanation of why you got your facts completely wrong.

Meanwhile, since you're from Alaska and you're claiming to be pro-abortion, and the primary is tomorrow, be sure to vote NO! on Proposition Two (ON THE BACK SIDE OF THE BALLOT) This Prop. would make it a federal crime, punishable by jail time for a doctor to not “adequately” attempt to contact the parents or guardians of a girl under the age of 18 who wants to terminate a pregnancy. Everyone understands the emotional nature of this prop, but let’s keep abortions rare, safe and legal. And let’s let girls who may be the victim of domestic sexual assault take matters into their own hands rather than have to confront the issue, and not make doctors criminals who are performing a legal medical procedure.

Meanwhile, back in PA, we have an excellent candidate who supports stem cell research and womens' rights to an abortion.

Sestak:

* Supports Roe v. Wade. (Nov 2006)
* Voted YES on expanding research to more embryonic stem cell lines. (Jan 2007)
* Ensure access to and funding for contraception. (Feb 2007)
and
Candidates Positions on Abortion:

* Toomey
o Anti-choice
o Encourage adoption over abortion
o Opposes using tax dollars on abortion
* Sestak
o Pro-choice
o Voted to support stem cell research
o Ensure access to contraception
htpp://gaudini.wordpress.com/2010/05/24/sestak-toomey/

and "Pro-Life Activists Pray for Sestak's Conversion
http://thebulletin.us/articles/2009/01/27/news/local_state/doc497efb9b76600716273948.txt
A group of approximately 50 pro-life activists, led by Fr. Roland Slobogin of Saint Charles Borromeo Church in Drexel Hill, braved the cold on Saturday to gather outside the Media office of U.S. Joseph Sestak, D-7th, of Delaware, Montgomery and Chester counties, to pray for his change of heart on various life issues.

The message proclaimed on the many signs carried by the pro-lifers chastised Mr. Sestak for claiming membership in the Roman Catholic Church, while rejecting its teachings on abortion and other life issues. Signs carried at the protest proclaimed, “You Can’t Be Catholic And Pro-Abortion.”

[Winterblues]

10. I apologize then, I must have him mixed up with someone else

I thought it was him that put the anti-abortion wording into the Health Care Bill. Him in the House and Ben Nelson in the Senate. I feel bad for the mistake..

[BumRushDaShow]

11. I think you are confusing him with Stupak (D-MI). n/t

[Pab Sungenis]

12. That was Stupak

Bart Stupak of Michigan.

[Divernan]

13. All is forgiven! Hope you're voting in your primary tomorrow.