PA Sen. Bob Casey: Sestak Would Be “Very Competitive” Against Specter

[babylonsister]

http://theplumline.whorunsgov.com/campaigns/pa-sen-bob-casey-sestak-would-be-very-competitive-against-specter/

PA Sen. Bob Casey: Sestak Would Be “Very Competitive” Against Specter


Wow, so this should give newly-minted Dem Arlen Specter some serious agita: His fellow Pennsylvania Dem Senator, Bob Casey, said in an interview that if Joe Sestak challenges Specter in a primary, he will be a “very strong candidate” and be “very, very competitive.”

The claim from Casey, who has endorsed Specter, suggests that the Dem establishment is all too aware of how formidable a challenge Sestak could pose to Specter, despite the support he enjoys from the White House, Harry Reid, and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.

Casey made the assertion last week during an interview with WHYY, Philadelphia’s NPR affiliate, that passed unnoticed. Sestak’s campaign tracked down the interview and sent me a transcript, which WHYY confirmed is genuine. Here’s what Casey said:

“If Congressman Sestak runs, the next option is to have a primary that’s not … divisive and acrimonious so that we have a split in the party going in to the general election. That’s my hope. But he’s a very strong candidate and if he runs it’ll be a very, very competitive primary.”

That’s the first acknowledgment from one of Specter’s Dem establishment supporters of the challenge Sestak poses, and could give a boost to Sestak by helping with fundraising and persuading insiders that his candidacy is real. Audio when I have it.

Update: Audio at link~

[derby378]

1. Sestak's ties to the Brady Campaign could hurt him

http://www.bradycampaign.org/media/release.php?release=805

There is strong support for gun control in Philadelphia, but not so much in the rest of the state. This actually works to boost Specter, but he could easily cede that advantage to Sestak if he waffles on health care, unions, job growth, etc.