PA-SEN POLL: Sestak and Specter tied at 43%.

[jefferson_dem]

:bounce:

Sestak Catches Specter in Pennsylvania

The latest Morning Call/Muhlenberg tracking poll shows Sen. Arlen Specter (D) and challenger Joe Sestak (D) tied at 43% each with 13% still undecided.

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2010/05/07/sestak_catches_specter_in_pennsylvania.html

[the other one]

1. Good news starts the day!

[Cosmocat]

13. Specter is definitely worried ...

I got an attack piece on Sestak - the usual republican mean and menacing type of garbage, saying how Sestak voted for the minimum wage but underpaid his staff ... Nothing about Specter or to vote for him, just a bag picture of Sestak and the attacks, paid for by Citizens from Specter ...

[wisteria]

24. That is the truth. Go ask Sestak. And, did you know that Sestak has been taking Scaife money to run

on and do his commericals? Scaife is one the most ultraRepublicans and anti Democrats around and he has plenty of money to throw around. Sestak is a sleezy bag, claiming to be the real Democrat while taking Republican money to win.

[wisteria]

23. You should not even have a say in this-not being from Pa. This will be terrible for Pa

I suppose you must want Toomey the ultra Conservative to win? Because that is what is going to happen if Sestak wins.

[saltpoint]

195. A law voted for by any U.S. Senator affects the life of any U.S. citizen.

The poster has every right to have a say in the primary outcome.

[ShortnFiery]

2. Yes! Best Wishes to Joe Sestak. :-) eom

[AllentownJake]

3. Muhlenberg has a decent polling department

and I can walk to their campus in 5 minutes from my house.

Sestak needs to pull ahead by 3 to be able to defeat Specter's organization, which is essentially Rendell's organization.

[jefferson_dem]

4. Hey, AllentownJake...

What's your sense of what's happening on the ground? How much enthusiasm are you seeing for Sestak? That, and this year's anti-incumbency effect, may serve to somewhat offset the Specter/Rendell GOTV operation.

[AllentownJake]

6. Nobody really cares about the primaries right now

Yard signs out, usual suspects are doing the usual suspect things.

Sestak didn't invest too much into organizing till later in the game. He's having a lot of events now. We will see how it plays out.

Specter wrapped up pretty much 75-80% of the precinct captains and ward leaders early. Everything Sestak has to do has to be built.

The party literally during general elections just flips a switch and people do their normal election day thing, since Specter has the state party's endorsement, the state party will be flipping that switch for a primary.

Of course, from the beginning with this race, we never know of what the effect of 30 years of being told not to vote for Specter, than being told to vote for Specter will have on the election when people get into the polling stations.

Sestak may just need a name ID campaign, I think he needs to be ahead by 3 the Friday before Election day.

Voter turnout will be very low. No one cares about the Governor's race either.

[jefferson_dem]

7. Thanks for the field report.

We'll see what happens.

[freddie mertz]

5. This is nothing short of amazing.

I am voting for Joe.

[saltpoint]

8. Joe's coming on strong around the final turn.

I like it.

[nyc 4 Biden]

9. I think Sestak will pull away from Specter now.

It's about time. Go Joe!

[Name removed]

25. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[nyc 4 Biden]

32. you must be a closest jack knife. eom

[wisteria]

35. Hey, I am life long Democrat who knows and respects Specter.

And, if my knifes are out and pointed at Sestak, so what. He is a spoiler who is going to see this senate seat go to a Republican if he wins the primary.

[AlinPA]

41. Specter will switch back to republican if he wins, and will be laughing at his supporters in the

Democratic party saying thanks for the money and thanks for the Get-Out-The-Vote. As GW Bush says with Santorum standing and smiling next to him " I can count on this guy. He is a firm ally". (This ad for Sestak is being played heavily in W. PA)

[wisteria]

54. That is not true. And, what is to stop Sestak from doing the same?

Sestak is the one taking Republican money to win.

[Sebastian Doyle]

129. Not surprising to hear that from the Chimp.

Specter's been a "firm ally" of the Bush Crime Family ever since the Warren Commission. :puke:

[Arugula Latte]

146. You respect Specter?

Wow ... You might want to re-evaluate your criteria.

[freddie mertz]

10. Another Poll shows Sestak within striking distance (PA Examiner)

Another poll has Sestak within striking distance
May 3, 10:26 PM

Philadelphia Elections 2010 Examiner: Joshua Brett

Pennsylvania's primary election is only two weeks away. And another poll released Monday also has liberal insurgent Joe Sestak within striking distance of five-term, Republican-turned-Democrat Arlen Specter.The Muhlenberg College/Morning Call tracking poll of likely Democratic voters has Sestak, the two-term Democratic Congressman from Delaware County, trailing Specter by only six points, 48%-42%, with 10% undecided. Sestak has trailed by large margins throughout the race. But he made drastic gains in recent weeks with the debut of his television ads, which have continued his consistent theme of being the true Democrat in the race. A poll released three weeks ago had Sestak within two points.

Specter, who switched parties last year when faced with near-certain defeat against Republican Pat Toomey in a GOP primary, sure didn't help himself on that front last week when, in an interview with the Morning Call of Allentown, he was quoted as saying ''But I have thought from time to time that I might have helped the country more if I'd stayed a Republican.''

Whatever the context, that's a pretty bad political gaffe when you're trying to fight the charge from both sides that you're a political opportunist who only represents yourself.

Almost as ill-advised was Specter attacking Sestak's military record in one of his television ads. That's certainly nothing new in politics (see Saxy Chambliss vs. Max Cleland and the Swift Boaters vs. John Kerry), but it is a cheap and desperate tactic in a primary race, especially one where the attack doesn't tie into the issues of the campaign at all. At least in the cases of Chambliss-Cleland and Swift Boaters-Kerry, national security and defense was a major topic of both campaigns. That isn't the case here.

http://www.examiner.com/x-32222-Philadelphia-Elections-2010-Examiner~y2010m5d3-Another-poll-has-Sestak-within-striking-distance

[saltpoint]

12. Specter ought to have known better than to use an attack ad to

try to smear Sestak on an aspect of his candidacy with broad appeal. But then, etc.

The polling trends seem to be a boost for Joe's campaign for this nomination, and I hope they continue thru to the 18th.

Meanwhile, I shudder to think about a Senator Toomey. I'm for Joe. Strongly. But no matter what we can't let a far right nuthowling reactionary like Toomey in the U.S. Senate.

[wisteria]

26. Well then you better pull for Specter, because Sestak will lose a general election against all the

Republican money. We will have Toomey and if it turns out we do, I will hold that against Sestak forever. This man claims to be the Democrat but he has been taking Republican money to win. He is a sleeze.

[saltpoint]

48. Hi, wisteria. I'm reading other accounts in the buzz lanes of

Philly that suggest that Specter would have 1) lost the GOP primary to Toomey and 2) would lose against him in the general --

-- while Sestak runs very strongly against Toomey in a potential general.

[wisteria]

51. HI, sorry but I don't buy it and I have no intention of ever supporting Sestak.

I think he is slim after I found out for a fact that he has been taking money from Scaife and other Repubs. I couldn't even hold my nose and vote for him.

[saltpoint]

56. Again, I have not seen a list of his donors but the issue would be

what percentage of Sestak's donations are from Republicans, and not whether he has a right to accept that money, which of course he does.

Unless I saw that a large majority of campaign contributions to Sestak came from the GOP donor base, I see no reason to choose Specter over Joe.

Toomey is certainly a disgusting excuse for a U.S. Senate candidate, but if Sestak were to win the Democratic primary I think Sestak would whip Toomey like a rented mule in the general.

[wisteria]

60. LOL, Sestak will not whip Toomey. Are you even from Pa?

The voters are moderate and older. And, do you have a clue who Scaife is? As I said before. I consider Sestak a sleaze for taking any Republican money, but when I consider that some of that money came from Richard Mellon Scaife, it makes me sick. No one will ever convenience me to vote for Sestak. I will not vote at all rather than cast a ballot for him.

[saltpoint]

62. Not voting is your call.

I think it is a poor call, but it is yours to make.

I don't have to be from a given state to be lifted up or disappointed by votes of any U.S Senator. Their votes cast draw laws which affect people in your state and my state and in the rest of the states.

We do in fact have an investment in others states' Senators' votes. Which is why this Senate primary is so compelling to political junkies on DU and other sites.

[wisteria]

31. Sestak wasn't swift boated-he just likes to claim he was. What was said about him is the truth. n/t

[bigwillq]

11. I am hoping Sestak pulls it out (nt)

[freddie mertz]

14. Chair of PA Dem Party calls potential Sestak victory "cataclysmic."

By DAVID CATANESE | 5/6/10 10:51 AM EDT

The chairman of the Pennsylvania Democratic Party issued a stern warning to members of his party this week, declaring that nominating Rep. Joe Sestak over Sen. Arlen Specter could have “cataclysmic” consequences for the party’s ability to hold the Senate seat this fall.

As polls show Sestak, a second-term House member from the Philadelphia suburbs, cutting Specter’s advantage to single digits, Chairman T.J. Rooney told POLITICO in an interview that “if we want to keep this seat in Democratic hands, the only person capable of delivering that victory is Arlen Specter.”

“I can’t say, honest and true, if the shoe’s on the other foot, that we’ll have the same race in November,” Rooney said. “The results could be cataclysmic.”

A Quinnipiac University poll released earlier this week showed Specter’s once formidable double-digit lead narrowing to only 8 percentage points, 47 percent to 39 percent. By midweek, the tracking poll sponsored by Muhlenberg College and the Allentown Morning Call showed Specter ahead by only 5 percentage points.

“Momentum is clearly on Sestak’s side at this point,” said Peter Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.

Much more...

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0510/36863.html#ixzz0nFjjBb1T

Should I be suspicious of this?

[saltpoint]

16. On its face, the claim that only Arlen would hold the seat is iffy,

and who knows but that Pennsylvania Democrats will make their own call on that assertion.

I think Sestak's train has the stronger engine for the general against Toomey. That's a long-distance hunch, admittedly.

But a lot of people motivated enough to vote in primaries are their own thinkers and while party chairs have sway in many things they may not be able to hold the nomination for Arlen if enough self-directed Dems statewide go for Joe.

[Cremlian]

17. I wouldn't worry too much

Out here in Montgomery county it's hard to find anyone in the active democratic party that is for Arlen Specter. Most Democrats around here actually have voted for him in the past, but it's time for someone new. I think Sestak has a great chance of pulling this out.

Sestak did a lot of outreach to the township/borough party chairman, which I think will pay off since they are the ones usually closest to the ground, I know there was almost a revolt at our nominating convention when they decided not to make a county endorsement.

[saltpoint]

49. Cremlian, I hope you are right, and it sounds like the points your

are making ring true.

Joe can win this thing.

And welcome to DU.

[wisteria]

52. People vote for Specter regardless of party affiliation and most people voting are older Pa

residence. I think in the end Specter service to Pa and to the residence of Pa will what will take him over the top. Sestak has done nothing for PA. It has all been about him climbing the ladder.

[wisteria]

27. No, it is the truth a Sestak win will devastate the Democrats in Pa.

Sestak will not win against Toomey that is why Republicans are poring money into Sestak's campaign. And, Toomey is just awful with his 100% with the Christian Coalition, 100% rating with the Pro-Life Organization,a 90% rating with Business interest groups and his support and backing by the Tea Party. THIS IS WHAT SESTAK IS DOING. He is screwing up Pa because he is anger he was told he could ran and then asked not too. I hope he becomes a pariah in the Democrat party.

[freddie mertz]

30. I'm not convinced this is the case.

First, let's be abundantly clear: Sestak had and has every right to run for this office.

This is still a democracy...I hope.

Second, surely, if Sestak defeats Specter, he becomes a giant-killer. And he will gain momentum that could help him win in this very challenging year.

At least I hope he will...

[wisteria]

37. No, he will be in the news for a while , but Marjory party support and money are going to dry up.

He has been getting a lot of his money now from Republicans hoping to have him get Specter out. And, his views are way to progressive for most of Pa voters. I for one consider him a sleaze for taking Repub money and I will not lift a finger to support him if he become our nominee. He has screwed over the Dem Party to get where he is and all because he was angry because he was told he could run, but then asked not to. Sestak is nothing but a self absorbed, ambitious man who is willing to screw his party and the people of Pa to make a point.

[wisteria]

53. He will lose to Toomey. The Democratic establishment and the machine will ignore him.

We don't need a DeMint/Sestak to deal with. Sestak has screwed the party over. And, yes he can run, but he did this to be spiteful. Frankly, I dislike the man immensely.

[saltpoint]

61. If Sestak meets Constitutional qualifications for the U.S. Senate, he

can run for that office.

He's allowed to run if he wants.

You're allowed to vote against him if you want.

But there's the issue of momentum now swinging his way in the primary.

A few of us on this site are for Sestak. I've never thought much of Arlen Specter to begin with and if I lived in Pennsylvania I would be edgy with his being a Democratic nominee for a seat he's held as a Republican for most of his entire political career.

I still have seen no evidence to suggest that a victorious Sestak on the 18th of May would lose to Pat Toomey in November. I think just the opposite is more likely, in fact, and you would see county Dem chairs all across Pennsylvania pulling together to elect Joe Sestak, the Democrat, over Pat Toomey, the Far Right nutbag.

[wisteria]

65. No you won't he has thumbed his nose at the party.

Think what you will, but when a Senator Toomey is sworn in you and your ilk will have yourself and Sestak to blame. You misjudge the majority of voters in the state.

[saltpoint]

69. I'm not judging them at all. Since Sestak is running as a Democratic

candidate in a Democratic Party Primary, it seems to me that he's entirely within rights and well within zone.

The voters in your state may choose Specter. Or not. We'll see around 10:30 p.m. or so on the 18th.

[totodeinhere]

15. This is great news. I don't trust Specter as far as I can throw him.

Does anyone doubt that he would become a Republican again is a heartbeat if he decided it was to his political advantage?

[AlinPA]

20. He would switch back immediately and laugh at the Democrats for spending time and

money to help him win.

[wisteria]

28. No, this is bad news, because it mean if he does happen to win the primary,

Pa will be represented by the ultra Conservative Toomey, because there is no way in hell Sestak will be able to raise the money and get the backing he needs to beat him in the general election. A lot of the money Sestak has been running on now is coming from Republicans-and I have that from a good source. I know that Richard Mellon Scaife gave him the maximum amount allowed by law. Scaife is a Democrat hater and uses his paper-The Tribune Review to bash Democrats all the time. But,more than hate Democrats, he hates Specter because he is his own man and a moderate.

[saltpoint]

50. wisteria, we're usually on the same political page. Not this

time, because Sestak has come from far behind to be a strong contender for this nomination.

And Sestak is attracting the attention (and admiration) of a lot of non-Pennsylvanians.

I'm sorry to seem disputatious, but I strongly disagree that Arlen Specter is "his own man."

If you a grid that shows Sestak is taking Puke money and that that Puke money is the greatest percentage of his contributions, I'll give that point a wider berth. But my guess is that the overwhelming majority of his campaign funds are from Democratic wallets, not Republican wallets. And I bet a good number of that majority Dem money is from small donors.

I think the claim that Sestak can defeat Toomey is at least as strong or stronger than one that says only Specter can.

[wisteria]

55. Any Repub money is too much for me. And, I know for a fact that Richard Mellon Scaife has

contributed the max to his campaign. Sestak is going to lose this seat and his to Republicans. And, all because he is trying to screw the Democratic Party.
If he is the nominee so be it, but he will never have my vote or my time.

[saltpoint]

57. Ok, we got the point on Scaife, but the counter issue is what

percentage of funds Sestak has taken from Republicans.

It's my impression that his contributions are anti-Specter contributions, and may have as their inspiration the long memory of Specter's work on the Warren Commission and/or the interrogation of Anita Hill, not to mention his years as a Republican.

You're nailing Sestak for one donation versus Specter, who has spent a life time in the service of the Republican political machine.

Hardly seems fair.

[wisteria]

63. Specter was a Democrat in his earlier career. He has always been moderate and could be counted on

by Democrats when it was necessary to have a Republican vote or two.

I by no means think this race is anywhere over. And, I will continue to support the Democratic nominee-Specter. If he doesn't win, it will be a hugh blow to the Democrats and the state of Pa in general. I will be sad and extremely disappointed in what has been allowed to happen in Pa. But, under no circumstances-even as a Democratic committee person will I vote for Sestak. My sense of what I feel is best for our commonwealth and the people of PA will not allow me to do this. Sestak may at that point call himself the nominee, but he will never be the Democrat in my opinion-period.

[saltpoint]

68. The water is rising in this primary race, wisteria. Sestak was way

down in the polls all year and then this late winter and spring he began to gain ground.

The momentum is his.

I didn't call up Pennsylvania Democrats and tell them to support Sestak; he has earned their support without my involvement. So you are on this thread arguing against Sestak's nomination, stating that you will not acknowledge it if he wins, even though that means you are rejecting the collective judgment of Democratic Primary voters if they choose him over Specter.

Specter may hold on and become the nominee. Or Joe may upend him and go on to defeat Toomey.

The reason there's a Democratic primary is to give Democrats a crack at who they want as their nominee.

[wisteria]

74. No, this is about zelots out to prove a point and screw over PA.

Sestak is running on nothing but bashing Specter on being a former Republican and he is doing to out of ego and spite.

[saltpoint]

79. I'm guessing a lot of Pennsylvania supporters of Joe Sestak would

beg to differ with your characterization.

You've just called them zealots.

They might consider themselves "citizens" or "voters" or "Democrats" and evidently in increasingly large numbers, they're indicating support for Sestak over Specter in the primary.

Arlen may win the primary or Joe may win the primary.

[freddie mertz]

112. I appreciate your rational and measured responses here.

I am voting for Joe in the primary, and will vote for the primary winner in the fall, because whatever flaws they both might have, these pale before the wingnuttery of Toomey.

Toomey is the return of Santorum Santorumism, and that is how the Dems should, and probably will, frame it, regardless of who wins the primary.

It's a primary election, and these sorts of races keep our politics vital and responsive to the constituents.

[wisteria]

116. This one is very vital because we need maturity and experience in Washington to represent us.

With Murtha gone, and Casey being new at the game-so to speak-we need the experience and record of accomplishment that Specter will bring. I have repeated it often here, but I will mention it again, Sestak does not have what it takes to win the general election, he has only run for a Congressional seat. Toomey has run a general election before. And, if you saw Sestak's performance at the recent debate-it was-well mushy and evasive. And, now I find out that Sestak has not been a Democrat very long-only four years. Specter was a Democrat for years before and after Kennedy's time in office and now he has come back into the party. Watch the debate and honestly ask yourself, does Sestak look like the candiate that can take on a verteran of general elections?

http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/politics/23410425/detail.html

[freddie mertz]

151. I'm voting Sestak, sorry.

On points:

Sestak was an admiral and in the military for a long time, and that probably goes a long way to explaining his lack of registration as a Dem or Repub.

Specter was a Dem some 45 years ago, which make your claim regarding "Democratic roots" a fairly marginal one.

I will vote for Arlen in the general, but am ready for a change if possible.

[wisteria]

186. Military men register to vote-that is a lame excuse and one that Sestak has been going around saying

Just like Sestak the answer is evasive and misleading.

[saltpoint]

157. I wouldn't write Joe Sestak off on grounds that he is young, or younger

than Specter, or whatever age-related point is being made.

A lot of county chair Democrats are going to support the party nominee against a Far Right kook like Toomey. If it's Specter who holds on to win, they'll support him over Toomey. If Joe upends Arlen and becomes the nominee, they'll support Joe.

Toomey is a crackpot. He's extremely Far Right. In my opinion, people like Pat Toomey should not be allowed anywhere near the U.S. Capitol. He almost defeated Specter in the last GOP primary 6 years ago and he's likely well-funded and a bit more sly this time.

I totallly reject your assertion that Sestak cannot defeat Toomey. I believe Specter is the one who would continue to have trouble. If Specter thought he could defeat Toomey in a GOP primary, he would have remained a Republican. He looks behind him less than two weeks before the lesson and Joe Sestak has caught up with him for the Democratic Primary.

I would add those things up and conclude that Arlen Specter is in danger of losing his seat.

[wisteria]

187. Any support for Sestak after he screwed the party over will be marginal.

And, mostly all chairs expect that if Sestak is the nominee it will be bad for Democrats in PA and HE WILL LOSE TO TOOMEY. He doesn't have any experience running a state wide general election and he has nothing to run on. All he keeps on saying is he was in the military and he is the Democrat. Wow, a thick resume there.
But, why am I wasting my time with you. You don't give a damn about PA, all you care about is taking on the system and if you screw PA while doing it so what.

[saltpoint]

191. One of the problems with your argument that Sestak

has "screwed over" people in Pennsylvania is that a majority of those you say he victimized voice steadily increasing support for his candidacy.

That's kind of problematic for your argument.

There's no evidence that says Toomey would prevail over candidate Sestak. There is mounting evidence that the reverse is more possible, that Specter would not have fled from a GOP primary from Toomey if he thought he could win it, and with Sestak's numbers rising by the hour, there's even less evidence to suggest that Sestak could not defeat Toomey in a statewide race.

I'm rooting for Joe.

I do give a damn about Pennsylvania, wisteria, and wish you would concede a couple of basic points, including that Specter comes with more experience but far more baggage, and that the tracking poll is reflected also by Rasmussen and in a few days, likely other polls as well. It is not an outlier. The second point I wish you'd concede is that all U.S. citizens have a stake in which representatives form the next Congress. Bill drafted and passed affect everyone. It matters to everyone who is in the Congress, who chairs the committees, and so forth. You are trying to pretend this is a Pennsylvania matter only, but the U.S. Senate is a national stage.

[saltpoint]

156. Hi, freddie mertz. I strongly agree about Toomey.

He's bad news right out of the gate.

I should have said, "Far Right out of the gate."

In fact, he kind of scares me.

Joe's looking pretty good right now. If the polling trend continues, the undecideds will determine the nominee. I hope he's saved up some energy and cash for the home stretch.

[totodeinhere]

70. President Obama got donations from Republicans during his presidential campaign too.

Name me one major democratic candidate who has not received some contributions from Republicans. I support Sestak because I believe that he would have a better chance in November. Uncle Arlen is just too slimy and opportunistic and I don't trust him. If Sestak is getting some contributions from Republicans, then more power to him.

[wisteria]

88. Not ones that were playing games and are only supporting him to get their guy Toomey in.

The donations from Scaife in particular are different. Scaife doesn't support Sestak. He wants to see Specter lose and his boy Toomey win. He knows Sestak is the weaker candidate.Scaife is slim and Sestak knows it, but he don't care where his money is coming from. Makes me wonder what he would owe them if he does get in.
Obama has donations from Republicans who actually supported him.

[Sebastian Doyle]

130. Not from Mellonhead Scaife though

He was supporting Hillary. Which was ironic, given his role in creating the Monica Lewinsky/Ken Starr bullshit scandal in the 1990's.

[wisteria]

134. Scaife is a hateful man. He has personal vendettas. He would have rather of had Hillary win

than Obama. I didn't like when the Clinton's went to him for support either.

[Sebastian Doyle]

135. As vile as Scaife is

..at least he never covered up a Presidential assassination.

[TheKentuckian]

18. Fight, Admiral, FIGHT!!!

[AlinPA]

19. If TV ads have anything to do with this primary, the latest Sestak ad showing Bush with Specter

saying " I can count on him", and Specter actually saying that he can win if he changes parties is devastating. It wraps Specter and Bush together with Santorum standing with them.

[wisteria]

29. Frankly, I see that ad as childish and everyone knows that Specter is his own man.

People vote for Specter the man-not the party.

Did you know that Sestak has been taking Republican money to win all the while claiming he is the real Democrat. And, did you ever ask yourself what it is exactly Sestak has done as a Congressman? And what he is going to do if he were a Senator? I hear none of that in his commercials, all I hear is Specter bashing.
My vote remains with Specter and I will not waste my time working for Sestak if he wins this primary because he will lose big time to Toomey. All this because Sestak got mad because he was told he could run and then they asked him not to.

[AlinPA]

44. Are you saying that he did not support Bush - republican policies?

[wisteria]

59. So fu*king what. So did many other Democrats. The American people supported Bush for a time too.

He has always been a moderate and a free thinker and yes, sometimes he voted party line, but when it counted you could count on Specter. I remember when he was DA in Philadelphia, he was honest and hardworking. Specter brings a lot of good into the state and we will lose this with Sestak-oh excuse me Toomey. Sestak did this to be spiteful I believe and he will not have the party full support. Sestak is a man that can not be trusted. There is no party loyalty with him-it is all about what is good for Sestak.
As a Democrat, I consider him a traitor. He could have waited to run, but he did this now for his own ego and he is screwing Pa and the party. Frankly, I don't think this race is over by any means. Specter isn't Clockley and he will fight back and the party will fight back. I have cleared my calendar to work for Specter for the next two weeks. This race will not be handed to Sestak and the Republicans who are backing him.

[AlinPA]

82. You say "There is no party loyalty with him-it is all about what is good for Sestak.";

Can't we say the same about Specter? Here is a guy that campaigned for Palin, then switches to be a Democrat because the polls say he can't beat Toomey in a primary. And you say Sestak is all about what is good for himself. Laughable.

[wisteria]

120. Specter has a track record of doing what is in the best interests of the state and it's people.

So he is trying to protect his long record of achievements. So he switched parties. He is a politician and a better one that Sestak. Sestak was an Independent until he decided it would be in his best interest to run as a Democrat.
Vote as you will, but in the end if Sestak wins, Pa will have Toomey as our next Senator. And, I would bet the $1,000 I have left in the bank on that.

[Sebastian Doyle]

131. Specter helped the Bush Crime Family get away with murdering the President of the United States

Exactly what "best interests" has he ever acted in favor of? :wtf:

[wisteria]

136. Oh please. Take you conspiracy theories elsewhere. He did no such thing. n/t

[Sebastian Doyle]

137. Uh, does the lie "Magic Bullet" ring a bell?

You DO know that Arlen was the one who sold that fiction, right?

[HughMoran]

21. Why do I always read "Specter" and "Sphincter"?

Am I the only person with this affliction?

[burning rain]

40. "Arlen Sphincter" has long been a nickname of his in Pa.

Along with "Snarlin' Arlen."

[wisteria]

22. This is just awful news. Did you know that Sestak is taking Republican money to run his commericals?

And, he will not win against Toomey. Are you from Pa. This is just terrible. Sestak has done nothing but say he is the Democrat in the race an he is screwing Pa up big time. We will lose his congressional seat and now we may lose the Senate seat too.
I am denfindately getting my tail out and pushing for Specter. 13% undecided is a large number.

[AtomicKitten]

33. Forewarned is fair-warned.

This PA race is a poser. The natural inclination for Democrats would be to vote against R turned D Specter. Or so it seems. However, Nate Silver changed my mind about it. He crunched some numbers and found Specter to be more liberal than Sestak.

Like I said forewarned is fair-warned. Since no one here appears willing to consider what you are saying, bookmark these threads to refer to when the wailing begins if and when Sestak prevails and continues his voting record as a conservative Democrat.

I find either choice unsavory, but it's not my state.

Is Sestak the Right Choice For the Left?

snip

For the time being, however, progressive Democrats have ample reason to be wary of Specter. Their problem is that Joe Sestak, the PA-7 Congressman who has refused to rule out a primary challenge, might not be any better from the standpoint of progressive policy.

In fact, it's plausible that he could be a bit worse. ProgressivePunch.org ranks Sestak as the 158th most progressive member out of 221 non-freshman Democrats, and notes that he's an order of magnitude or so more conservative than you'd expect of a Congressman from his Democratic-leaning district. Sestak's DW-NOMINATE score in the 110th Congress was -.287 on a scale that runs from -1 for extremely liberal to 0 for moderate; this is actually slightly more conservative than the score that we'd projected for Specter, which was -.303. The National Journal, moreover, found that Sestak took the liberal position only 63 percent of the time in the votes they tracked in 2007.

snip

[wisteria]

39. Thanks for the info. I see why now he doesn't mind being in bed with Republicans. n/t

[AlinPA]

42. Being in bed with republicans? Specter campaigned for Sarah Palin! That's unforgiveable. nt

[totodeinhere]

71. Yes, not only was Specter in bed with Republicans, he was one.

And if he ever thinks it's in his best political interest to flip back to a Republican, he will do it in a heartbeat.

[wisteria]

75. And, Sestak took money from Richard Mellon Scaife-who is a lot more powerful and

rich than Palin. Scaife was responsible for Ken Starr. He is a rabbit Democrat hater and yet he gave the max to Sestak. That point seems to be lost on you people so wrapped up in bashing Specter for a political endorsement of Palin and McCain.

[AlinPA]

83. I know about Scaife and his stupid newspaper and how he went after Clinton. If he

gave money to Sestak's campaign that doesn't make Sestak a supporter of Scaife. But Specter's support of Palin for Vice-president is quite a different situation. He was not supporting Obama and in fact said he voted for Palin. I question Specter's "loyalty" not to mention his intelligence.

[wisteria]

89. What kind of logic is that? If Sestak took his money without reservation, then

he really didn't care that Scaife hates Democrats and has done everything in his power to discredit and ruin them. Do you really think Scaife is the kind of guy Sestak should be taking money from-as a "Democrat". You know, Sestak could screw all you supporters over once he gets what he wants out of you. He has caused himself a lot of resentment on the Democratic side, what is to stop him from becoming a Republican? You know his voting record is actually Conservative. Specter has been more in line with the Democrats as far as votes go.

[AlinPA]

100. His support for Palin doesn't sound like being "in line with Democrats". It's enough to

make anyone question his wisdom or his common sense.

[wisteria]

122. It was a party vote. It is ridiculous to hold it against him and I won't.

Many Democrats - including Obama - have voted party line on issues that I would disagree with.

[AlinPA]

143. You can abide voting for and publicly supporting Sarah Palin? Do you mean that? nt

[Inuca]

97. Interesting, thanks n/t

[wisteria]

34. This will wake the Specter supports up and get them moving.

Which is good news, because Specter has a large army backing him. And, with 13% undecided, Specter still has a great shot at winning this.

[jefferson_dem]

36. So you are rooting for Specter?

Ok.

No matter how you slice it, the "MO" is definitely with Sestak.

[wisteria]

38. Damn right I am with Specter. I consider Sestak a sleaze.

He has been taking Scaife money to run ads along with other Repubican money and he is screwing our party over.

[boppers]

45. How much Republican money has Specter taken over the years?

You've repeated this argument many times in this thread, but Specter ran on republican money for a large part of his career... you don't see that as a problem?

[AlinPA]

46. Great question.

[wisteria]

66. He was a Republican. Sestak claims to be a Dem but he takes Repub money?

All the while he is running as a Democrat-that is sleazy. If you don't see that, that is because you are blind.

[saltpoint]

73. Anybody, in or outside Pennsylvania, can donate to any of the Senate

candidates, so far as I know. I've donated to Senator Boxer's campaign though I no longer live in California.

If the caps are observed, a check in a stamped envelope conveys the donation. Uncle Sam will get it there.

That's how it works.

Sestak and Specter are in a hot Democratic Senate primary in Pennsylvania. Maybe Arlen holds on. Maybe Joe beats him. One or the other of the two will be the Democratic nominee for this Senate seat.

[wisteria]

76. You don't normally see Republicans donating to Democrats do you?

I know I have never given any momey to a Republican. Yet Sestak has taken Scaife's maximum contribution and Scaife has been real kind to Sestak in his very right wing paper. If Sestak is honest, tell him to give Scaife back his money. Sestak knows where it came from.

[saltpoint]

80. The law does not prohibit persons A, B, or C from donating to

a political campaign.

You and I neither one have contributed to a Republican's campaign, but if we wished to, there is no prohibition to stop us on the books.

Nor should there be any if that goes the other direction -- Republican citizens donating to Democratic campaigns.

There's nothing illegal or dishonest about it. Citizens are free to make the call on their own.

This primary is heating up and getting closer not because of Scaife's contribution but because Specter is losing ground to Sestak. The Democrats in Pennsylvania get to vote for one or the other of the two on the 18th.

[wisteria]

123. In my book any candidate that would take Scaife money to run on

knowing full well why he is giving it to him is a sleaze. Scaife money just isn't Repub money it is worse.

[saltpoint]

158. wisteria, the issue is not whether people on DU like Scaife. My guess is

few of us do. More likely none of us do.

Check again at the tracking poll. By week's end Sestak was near to Specter, then tied him; the most recent polling from today shows him now in the lead.

If Scaife is your determining factor, your ace up the sleeve, it's not trumping Pennsylvania voters' perceptions of the two Senate candidates for the Democratic nomination.

You are in effect raising a point no one in your state is considering as a disqualifier for support for Sestak.

And as a result, he has overtaken (or tied) Specter here in the closing days of the campaign.

That is a gauge of Specter's lack of appeal, not of R.A. Scaife's political clout. And it is also a signal that Sestak does in fact know how to effectively run a statewide campaign, because that is what a Senate primary is.

[wisteria]

194. Again, this is one tracking poll. It is not internals. You people are all grasping at this one

poll and we know how unreliable they can be-especially public ones. But, keep on grasping onto the poll if you want. I not fooled into believing this false momentum.

[saltpoint]

196. You're mistaken. As early as a month ago Rasmussen indicated difficulty

for Specter and considerable gain for Sestak.

You have also not seen the internals, unless I'm mistaken. You could accuse me of not finding a cure for leukemia if you want, and you'd be right. But you haven't found one either, or if you have, you're keeping it to yourself.

Internals aren't generally public-access information.

The Pittsburgh Democrats convened for an endorsement but could not reach a consensus of Specter because Sestak's support was too great; they adjourned with no endorsement. Sestak, in fact, had more total votes than Specter and his surge denied Specter the threshold needed to gain the endorsement. Note also that this is on the opposite side of your state from Sestak's home district.

[AlinPA]

43. Great news. Maybe Sarah Palin can come in here and campaign for Specter to return the favor. nt

[ShadowLiberal]

47. Not surprising seeing as Sestak finally played the Bush card

Specter needs to play the Obama card, and fast, as in get an ad on the air of Obama strongly endorsing Specter, and get Obama to do an event or two with him.

[wisteria]

64. Yes, Specter needs to start getting tough on this jerk. He has been to nice up to this point.

I can understand why, but Sestak is a slim and will do what ever it takes to screw the party to boost his ego.
How about starting with Sestak's idea that once you reach a certain age you are to old and should retire. Or, exactly what has Sestak done as a Congressperson that merit him being a Senator. I could find nothing at all meaningful that he has done. The guy is all about revenge and ego. Oh, and the military reports on his do not lie.

[polichick]

105. Do you really think Specter won't start voting with the right as soon as he is reelected? nt

[AlinPA]

111. Not only that, he will go right back with "his friends on the other side of the aisle".

They would be glad to have him in their filibusters.

[wisteria]

121. Specter has a more progressive voting record that Sestak does.

Specter will vote for what is in the best interest of PA and it citizens.

[polichick]

125. Was he thinking of the interests of PA when he voted with Bush over and over?

I agree that he has a good Dem record since he jumped ship, but don't trust him not to jump back.

[wisteria]

128. That was party politics, and he also voted many more times for what was good for PA n/t

[polichick]

174. Looks to me like Specter thinks mostly about Specter - I don't trust him...

...to stick with a Dem agenda once he's reelected.

[wisteria]

197. Oh, and Sestak isn't an opportunist when he decided to become a Democrat

at a time when it was a positive climate to be one and run for Congress? People switch parties all the time-get over it. And, And, Specter, who is middle of the road, was no longer welcomed in his other party. Our VP and our President asked him to join the Democrats. So you are willing to vote for an un-know, virtually inexperienced person because the other guy switched parties?
How childish.
Oh wait, can you even vote in PA-probably not. I am finding most of Sestak's supports can not.

[IndianaGreen]

58. Drive a wooden stake through Specter's heart

and put that GOP POS out of our misery!

[wisteria]

67. Ah, are you a resident of PA. The people in Pa who Senator Specter has helped over the years do not

consider him a POS. In fact, they appreciate what he has done to help them out-regardless of party.
When you are all complaining because we have lost the majority and we have to content with the like of ultra conservative Toomey, I don't want to hear it, because you have all been warned.

[saltpoint]

72. One year ago today, here's Arlen Specter:

http://crooksandliars.com/nicole-belle/specter-i-did-not-say-ill-be-loyal-de


- - -

"I never said I'd be a loyal Democrat."

- - -

[wisteria]

77. That is taken out of content and his meaning was that he would be an independant minded Senator.

Frankly, I like that about Specter. He was that way with the Republicans that is why they dislike him.
While you are digging info on Specter why not pull up all the things he has done over the years for the people of PA. And, then go take a look at Sestaks thin resume and voting record while a Congressman.

[saltpoint]

81. Sestak is at the early segment of what's likely to be a long political

career. Specter has been in the Congress since, my god, almost before color television.

I didn't do much digging "against" Specter. His own words are not "taken out of conte(x)t." They are what they are. He said them. Out of his own mouth.

wisteria, your posts in this thread vehemently defend Specter against Sestak, but the polling in Pennsylvania suggests that Sestak has considerable support. A report came mid-week this past week suggesting also that the White House political arm now believes Sestak is within striking distance and that he may defeat Arlen in this upcoming primary.

Now think a moment. How is it that Pennsylvania Democrats are indicated to show rising support for Joe in the primary? The choice is for primary voters. The nominee isn't going to be decided on DU, but in the voting precincts across the state on the 18th. Is it your view that the strong polling for Sestak suggests that the Democrats supporting him are in some way misguided? Your view is reflected in also-considerable poll numbers, but the trend has been decidedly up for Sestak supporters.

IMO, this has become a pretty exciting primary race and political junkies all over the place are tuning in to it.

I'm rooting for Joe.

[wisteria]

124. So you resent Specter's age and don't think older American have anything to offer.

Root for whomever you want, you can't vote in Pa so I don't give a damn who you root for.

[saltpoint]

159. I have abiding respect for older folks, being one myself.

Georgia O'Keeffe lived to be 99.

So did Michelangelo.

They roared through chambers of beauty to the last, and I say more power to 'em.

I've never liked Arlen Specter much and I don't like him anymore this evening than I did yesterday.

I'm rooting for Joe.

[wisteria]

193. Well than, I wouldn't continue to bring up his age as an issue.

And, although I am no older citizen, I have known and liked Senator Specter since my younger years in Philadelphia and including the present time-where I live in Western PA.
And, I have a large family who live in PA who also dislike Sestak immensely and are eager to go vote for Specter.

[skipos]

85. Wisteria, you have posted variations of "we are DOOOOOMED with Sestak" all over this thread

Yet you provide no proof that Specter is undeniably more likely to beat Toomey or be a more reliable Dem vote.
I am on the fence on this race, but I find you incredibly unconvincing. How about some hard, convincing facts to make your case?
Your argue "Sestak took Republican money" while Specter took MILLIONS from Republicans and campaigned for Bush, Cheney, McCain and Palin? Yeesh.

[wisteria]

92. Ok, first, Specter has taken on Toomey and the Scaife machine before.

Toomey is from around the area I live in. And, Scaife's newspaper is the only news these people get in this area. The Tribune review serves as Scaife's and some of the worst Republican's soap box.
Now, as I said, Specter has taken on Toomey before and he knows how he and the machine operate. Specter also has Rendell on his side and he is very familiar with the operation. Rendell has put up with their BS for eight years. Specter beat Toomey before so the Repubs are running a losing candidate against the same guy who beat him before in the general election. Both men appeal to the voters in PA because they come across as moderate. PA is a state full of older people and these people do not like change. Specter is a comfortable choice for them. The all know him and trust him, he is known as the guy who can be trusted. And, the Democratic machine in Philly-where I use to live will make sure they pull out the vote for Specter.They can always be counted on.
And, as far as voting records. Specter's has been a loyal Democrat. He has voted with the party. He even voted for the stimulus when he was still a Republican because he supported what President Obama was doing. This move itself put him in danger with his former party, who does not like his independent streak.What I like about Senator Specter is he has always done what he thought was in the best interest of the people in this state. He always fights to keep jobs here and he has done a lot for the working men and women in the state. I am not that young, so I remember a tough DA from Philadelphia who displayed integrity and honesty, and yet was fair minded. He was a Democrat years ago, again his independent streak got in the way, so he changed his party. Sure, he is a survivor and yes he did change this time around -in part- to protect himself from a Republican primary. He did it because he has a long record of serving the people of PA and he didn't want that record to just be judged by a few rabid Republicans bent on getting rid of him. He would rather put his long record of service out their in the general election and let the people of PA decide if he can continue to serve their needs.
Look, Senator Specter is the only Republican I have ever voted for. And, that is because he transcends party. When you vote for Senator Specter you are voting for the man and what this man has done for our country and the state of PA. He has a long and distinguished record,and one that he has every right to be proud of. I trust that no matter what, I can count on Senator Specter to have the best interests of our state in mind. The man is a fighter, a survivor and he is still sharp. I know, I have met with him several times and I am doing so again today in Irwin,PA. If you are in the area, it is a free event-starting at 1:30. I can give you details if you want to attend-just e-mail me.
Finally, I will state that I believe the voters in Pa are looking for a bit of stability and are pushing away from all of the recent government changes. Senator Specter represents that stability. He is not popular of course with the progressive crowd, but he does have the votes of the older and moderate PA voters. My mother who was a Republican and is now a Democrat says it best when she says, I wasn't going to vote, but if he is in danger of losing, I will go out and vote for him. "I have always like Arlen Specter". "He is a good man".

[AlinPA]

110. I have to give you credit for hanging in here to fight for your man. Sorry we disagree. Cheers. nt

[wisteria]

119. Did you know that Sestak wasn't even a Democrat until 2006?

And, have you asked yourself what exactly Sestak brings to PA? He is running on nothing more than being a Democrat and being in the Navy. And, he also has one of the most concervative voting records in congress.

[AlinPA]

142. Hey man, I offer you a compliment and you jump all over me.

[wisteria]

148. I jumbed all over you? I just provided you with more facts to mull over. n/t

[AlinPA]

164. If I am not mistaken, Admirals and Generals do not claim any political affiliation because of their

rank and commitment to neutrality. You should know that. He left the Navy in 2005 after a distinguished career. (We all heard the story about how Mullen relieved him of his command when Mullen became Chief of Staff so you don't have to pound on that.) Becoming an Admiral in the Navy is not easy. He has demonstrated that he has what it takes to be a Senator and a leader.

Specter has shown that he is a shrewd politician, switching among political parties, supporting people like the tea bagger leader Palin and huddling with republicans who try to stop everything the Democrats try to do in legislation.

[Clio the Leo]

78. This thread needs some of those....

Drudge sirens.



(which is NOT to imply that the poll is BS btw)

DU is gonna be FUN FUN FUN! when the President goes to campaign for Specter .... yeah, I'm gonna sit that round out.

[Inuca]

168. LOL!! n/t

[Joe Bacon]

84. I back Sestak! With me it's personal

Arlen Specter screwed my Dad over real good. I will never forgive that cheap whore for what he did to Dad. Even though I now live in California, I gladly sent $$$ to Sestak and I'll do it again when he retires Mr. Magic Bullet Man. I'm just waiting for next Tuesday night to see Arlen concede.

[wisteria]

87. Oh please, I'm sure Senator Specter didn't diliberately go out of of his way to hurt your dad.

And, since you can't vote in PA I personally don't care what you think.

[Joe Bacon]

99. He screwed over everyone with asbestosis.

Specter made promise after promise to do something when he runs for election and after he wins, he sits on his ass and does nothing. Specter is just a goddamned bullshit machine that needs to be fired and I'm one of those willing to borrow on a Master Card to give that liar the retirement he so richly deserves!

[spiritual_gunfighter]

86. Great news!

You go Joe!

[Cartoonist]

90. In your own words

And, Toomey is just awful with his 100% with the Christian Coalition, 100% rating with the Pro-Life Organization,a 90% rating with Business interest groups and his support and backing by the Tea Party.
-
Sounds like a loser to me, unless PA is a teabagger state.

[wisteria]

94. Toomey came close a few years ago, and he can be sold as a moderate

to people who are scared and don't want to see any more change-and that my friend is a lot of PA residents. This is the state that brought you Senator Santorum.It can happen again with Toomey and right now the state is leaning Repub on the Governorship. Sestak doesn't stand a chance in the general election. Toomey and his machine will wipe the floor with him claiming his is a ultra liberal backing all of Obama's changes. Hey change is not going over so well in PA right now.

[saltpoint]

91. The latest tracking poll shows that Sestak now leads.

- - -

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2010/05/08/sestak_edges_ahead_of_specter.html

- - -

The percentage is very close -- 2 percentage points -- but the trend is evident.

I would say the incumbent has a fight on his hands.

[wisteria]

93. Good, this is what we are looking for. I would pit Specter's record

against Sestak's any day. Now, we can get down to business and stop with the childish mickey mouse BS about who is the real Democrat and who isn't. What really matters is who is going to do the best job for the people of PA and in that contest-backed with his years of experience, Specter has, thin resume Sestak beat by yards. This race is not over by any means. Sestak is not going to know what hit his sorry little ass.

[saltpoint]

95. Sestak is up 2 in the current tracking, wisteria.

Specter is losing ground.

And at a discernible clip.

Sestak may well pull this out, having come from far behind against a veteran Senator of long-standing and with White House backing.

Sestaks's supporters have every reason to be enthusiastic and to think in positive terms about their candidate.

[wisteria]

117. It is not over and this last ad will only have so much effect.

I just came back from a meeting with Specter in my area and we are pumped to go out and fight for Specter. If all Sestak has to run on is that he is the Democrat and he was in the military, that will not get him elected. And, I will tell you also, the suggestings coming from the Sestak camp that refer to Specter as being old, will not set well with the older population in PA. Polling changes day to day and we have two weeks on this. Frankly, Sestak is the opportunist-only becoming a Democrat four years ago to run for office.

[saltpoint]

160. I wonder if anybody at that meeting for Specter addressed the

surging support for Sestak across the state, to the tune of a 2-point lead in the latest tracking poll.

The White House is also reported to be very concerned about the outcome of this primary, having invested heavily in it to begin with. There is an increasing awareness that Sestak, entirely capable of a statewide campaign, is going to upend Specter for the nomination.

[wisteria]

189. Why yes it was and it was also countered by what is going to be done.

And, I wouldn't call it surging. Specter's machine has not begun to make a push yet. Frankly, no one is worried about Sestak that much-if anything he is working like a charm to charge people up to go out and work harder for Specter.

[Inuca]

96. Is there any other reason

besides the Scaiffe money you mention that makes you dislike Sestak so much? I am curious because I am sure you have followed all this much closer than I did. I have an instinctive distrust of Sestak, not sure why. In fairness, the first time when I had objective reasons to dislike what he said was yesterday's inteview on Hardball. Did you see it? He followed Ed Rendell who was basically saying what you do (but in a more politically corect ad professional politician way :-)), namely that if Sestak wins we are in deep trouble in PA. When Sestak came on, Matthews asked him whether he is going to release his military records (mentioned how Kerry did it under somewhat similar circumstances), and Sestak kept saying no, he will not release them. Tweety was very insisting, and the only "justification" he got from Sestak was that he wants to end the politics of swiftboating aand this is why he is not going to release his records. That is a very noble cause, but it makes ZERO sense to me how NOT releasing the records would help.

[Inuca]

98. I just read your other long post

upthread where you explain your support for Specter. I agree. Specter is a centrist and a serious, smart senator. I am almost sure that if he is re-elected his votes will become somewhat less reliable than they are now, but I still think that he will be better (not only in terms of votes, but also in terms of the actual work he is doing) than quite a few other long-term Ds that cause persistent headaches.

[AlinPA]

104. If he is re-elected not only will his votes become less reliable, he will switch right back

and the republicans will be glad to have that extra seat. The man has been a republican for a very long time and that's where he has a lot of friends (and allies as Bush says it). When he switches back the republican party will laugh at Pennsylvania Democrats who give their time and money to help him. I'll take my chances with Joe Sestak.

[Inuca]

107. No, he won't switch

I think he feels that he was wronged by the party (and he is correct). As to his friends in the Senate... who knows... but I think that the story that Biden played an important role in the switch is true, and likely Biden counts as one of the frinds (riding the train from DC and all that). Specter may have been endorsed by Bush, it's part of the game, but I am sure there was not much love there, nor respect. Like him or hate him, Specter is a smart, competent man, I don't think he enjoys the company of fools much.

[IndianaGreen]

113. Single bullet theory Specter switched to GOP from Democrat decades ago

simply because he wanted to be elected. Now that he is in trouble with the increasingly fascist GOP, he switched back to Democrat just to "get reelected" (his words).

Specter is no more a reliable Democrat than Tiger Woods is a reliable faithful husband.

[Inuca]

166. Did he switch back

as soon as he got elected? Being "faithful" for 30 years or so counts for something, don't you think :-)? Though I am sure that many republicans that are as much to the right as we around here are to the left would not define Specter's long stint as a R Senator as being very "faithful".

[wisteria]

138. Good points. I attended an event today and Specter brought up Biden as a friend. n/t

[wisteria]

140. Yes, he is independent minded no doubt, but you can always count on him to come through

for PA. Casey is our other Senator and he is just in his first term. We really need to retain Specter for his connections and his experience-especially now that we lost Murtha. If Specter does not win this primary, I predict we will have a Republican sweep in PA-which is very bad news for PA.

[AlinPA]

144. You are talking about a man who was a Republican since 1965 and just last year switched

parties only for the election. A man who sat in caucus with Inhofe, Coburn, DeMint, McConnell, Santorum, Hatch, Cornyn, McCain and many many right wing republicans and plotted how to stop all Democratic legislation and to push their anti-worker, anti-environment issues. I've had enough of republicans.

[wisteria]

132. Sestak has a very conservative voting record, he was an Independent before 2006

when he ran for Congress and he has been running on nothing more that his service in the Navy and pushing the idea that he is the real Democrat. Arlen Specter was a Democrat longer than this guy is. He is snowballing people into believing he is a real progressive when in fact he isn't. I personally have bad vibes about the guy, I felt the same way about Kerry's VP choice. I think there are things about Sestak's personality that are being held back and there is a very good reason he will not release his records. Specter has a long record of service to our community, to the state and to the United States. We should be comparing who can do the best work for us in Washington. This campaign should be based on records, achievements and what each one wants to bring to Washington and back to PA. It should not be reduced to a mickey mouse game of who the real Democrat is.

[saltpoint]

172. His 2007 rating from the ACLU was 100%.

Not bad at all.

[polichick]

101. That last ad must be helping - it's a goodie! nt

[IndianaGreen]

102. Having Specter say that he switched parties just to get reelected

is prima facie evidence of the sort of scumbag he is.

[polichick]

103. And he even says it in a creepy calculating way. nt

[AlinPA]

106. At a gathering last night where there were a lot of Democrats (almost everyone) that ad was

mentioned. People said the same thing "he sounds creepy".

[Inuca]

109. He does indeed sound creepy

I am sure that the choice of that particular clip is pure coincidence.

[wisteria]

141. Thanks for your understanding and help. I appreciate it.

It is just to bad I can not open up some minds to seeing past the silliness of who is the real Democrat.

[saltpoint]

161. I really don't think a strong case can be made that Arlen Specter

is "a real Democrat."

Apparently a now-majority percentage of Democratic primary voters believe Joe Sestak is the Democrat they'd prefer for the nomination.

Ten days of campaigning remain. If the tracking poll trend continues, Arlen Specter is a goner.

[Inuca]

165. In a sense, I agree

Depends of course of what your definition of "real" is. I think he is as far from Sherrod Brown as he is from DeMint. As I said elsewhere, he is a centrist. I do prefer the Brown-like democrats, but I think that non DeMEnts that have a brain and are willing to use it are also needed and welcome, whatever official label they carry.

[saltpoint]

169. Agree. And Specter has been at the poker table for some time now,

and he knows how the game is played.

It was a gamble he took with the White House that changing parties would save him a bruising primary with Pat Toomey, and now he is up against a bruising primary with Joe Sestak.

This is one red-hot national story now.

[IndianaGreen]

170. Can Specter pull a Lieberman and run as an indy if he loses to Sestak?

Specter will do anything to get reelected.

[saltpoint]

171. From another post on DU someone wrote that Pennsylvania law

forbids it. I'll try to find that thread to see if there is a link.

---
update -- I plugged in Pennsylvania, sore loser law, and came up with this. I've never seen the site before:

http://campaigndiaries.com/2009/03/08/specter-loose-ends/

-- but it suggests that the state's sore loser law would prohibit Specter from running third party if he loses the primary.

[IndianaGreen]

173. Good article! Thanks!

I will dance on "Single Bullet Theory" Specter's political grave!

[wisteria]

190. Acording to 1 poll. I see nothing else beside this poll reporting this.

And, even Scaife who endorsed your guy won't go so far as to say that Sestak is winning.

This is not over, but that is fine if you want to take it easy and think that it is.

[saltpoint]

192. Rasmussen's April polling showed the race drawing to a near-tie.

There are reports in the plural that Specter has lost / is losing ground to Sestak.

[wisteria]

200. Rasmussen is RW leaning-I discredit it. And, the reports are all being generated

by this one poll you keep promoting and which I think has been an effort by the Sestak camp to make it seem his hokey-spliced and diced and amateurish last commercial is the success he is hoping for. Frankly, I think he peaked and now this sets up Specter to gear up and go in for the kill.

[saltpoint]

203. Rasmussen's record in Pennsylvania, both for statewide offices and

the presidency, have in recent years been deadly accurate.

They do tend to lean to the right, yes. But in statistical accuracy, they've led the field in Pennsylvania.

You can look it up.

[wisteria]

199. You know what, if you can't vote in PA I really don't give a ___ what you think

or who you support. I just consider you a spoiler out to screw PA.

[saltpoint]

201. I've been found out. You nailed it. I'm obsessed with the idea of

bringing the entire State of Pennsylvania to its knees.

God damn you Pennsylvanians! God damn you all!

[Inuca]

108. Do you think it is better

to come up with some noble excuses a la Charlie Crist or to say the truth, as SPecter did? Saying it so plainly shows a special kind of arrogance, but does not make him a scumbag.

[wisteria]

133. He knew the Republicans were out to get him because he is an independent minded person.

He has a long record of serving the needs of the people in PA-whether he was Republican or Democrat and he wanted to have his record judged fairly in the general election not in a primary with rabid Republicans voting against him. Now unfortunately, he faces similarly ods in a Democratic primary. I just think it so unfortunate, we may lose a good man with years of accomplishment and achievements simply because someone else claims they are the real Democrat.

[wisteria]

115. Did you know that Sestak was a registered Independent until 2006

just about the time he ran for Congress? Senator Specter started out his career as a Democrat in the 60's. He was a Kennedy Democrat. Also, do you think that just because someone claims to be the "real Democrat" that is enough reason to vote for him? What exactly has Sestak done while a Congressman? I can tell you-very little. Go check out his accomplishments and compare them to all the good things Specter has done for the people of PA. There is no comparison.

So you think that we should vote for Sestak because he was in the Navy (Specter was in the Army) and because he claims to be the real Democrat (even though up until four years ago he was a registered Independent). I think most thinking Democrats will come around to seeing that Sestak isn't offering anything of real value-his whole campaign is based on Mickey Mouse claims.

[IndianaGreen]

118. I hated Specter when he had an R after his name, and I hate him just as much when he put a D after

his name. I am the one being consistent here!

[wisteria]

127. Well, then it doesn't really matter because you can't vote in PA.n/t

[mucifer]

126. Bernie Sanders is an Independent

[wisteria]

139. Yes, they can lead both ways. But, if you look at Sestak's voting record you will see he is no

Bernie Sanders.

[mucifer]

150. I'm reviewing his voting record now he's pro environment pro GLBT rights

Ok looked at his voting record here's what I saw:


The positive from my POV:
pro veteran pro healthcare, pro FDA, pro jobs bills, pro choice, pro OSHA, pro hate crimes prevention act, stem cell research, infrastructure and jobs, prescription drug import, public transportation and alternative energy, pro GI bill, housing bills, SCHIP, women's equal pay bill.


The negative that I could find:
He did vote for fisa and did vote for the war appropriation funds and some offshore drilling. He hasn't been in congress long enough to vote for or against entering the Iraq war because he entered congress in '06. But, mostly his voting record looks pretty damn good to me.

http://www.votesmart.org/voting_category.php?can_id=58333

so tell me how Spector is better please.

[saltpoint]

155. On the plus side of the ledger it does seem as if Joe Sestak is

pretty agreeable.

I am actually still celebrating Casey's victory over Rick Santorum, even though there are a couple issues I disagree with Casey on, it was still an enomrous relief to know that Santorum would no longer haunt the Upper Chamber.

I think Toomey is almost as disgusting as Santorum and that Sestak is likely the stronger candidate against him. If Arlen thought he could whip Toomey in the GOP primary my guess is he'd never have switched parties in the first place.

[saltpoint]

163. There's only one Bernie Sanders.

Sestak is not advertising as the next Bernie Sanders.

Joe Sestak isn't Barry Sanders either. Speaking of whom, the Lions could sure use him back. Bernie or Barry -- the Lions could do worse than either, and have, often.

[saltpoint]

154. Hi, IndianaGreen. 'Have some friend in the Philadelphia area and

they are very quick to remind me that despite my own misgivings about Arlen, they hated him long before I did.

They are very sensitive to not only how much they dislike the man but about anyone who claims to dislike him more or earlier!

I'm rooting for Joe.

[saltpoint]

153. Probably that's right. I'm rooting for Joe, so I hope his momentum

continues between now and the 18th.

[Captain Hilts]

114. Will the Prez campaign for Specter? nt

[saltpoint]

162. If the White House political smart guys show him the tracking polls

and if the tracking polls continue to show Sestak tied or slightly ahead as they do now, and that trend holds for the ten remaining days of the campaign, then I would say no, Obama will steer clear.

Which would be a smart move on his part.

If Specter wins this primary then the White House can go full-tilt for him versus Toomey. No one anywhere in the White House wants Pat Toomey in the Senate. And rightly so.

If Sestak wins the primary, it would suggest that Sestak has more appeal in Pennsylvania, that Obama's gamble with Specter a year ago with the party switch did not pay off, and the best course to take would be to wait for PA Dems to make their choice, then back that choice.

[flpoljunkie]

145. TPM: Upset in PA?

Upset in PA?

Josh Marshall | May 8, 2010, 5:26PM

Muhlenberg is running a daily tracking poll of the Democratic senate primary in Pennsylvania. And after surging over the last few days, Joe Sestak has pushed into a 2 point lead in today's number.

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2010/05/upset_in_pa.php?ref=fpblg

[wisteria]

147. This is one poll from a limited number of respondents. Others do not claim the same results.

I can not find anything that even points to the accuracy of these polls. I can tell you they are supported by the Wall Street Journal and the LA Times.
I think this is all about creating a buzz about Sestak's latest ad. This is the one they think is going to do it for their guy. Frankly, I don't think so. When all you have to run on is claiming you're a Democrat and you served in the Navy, I think the real voters who actually turn out in PA will be wise to this guy and recognize what a thin resume he has. PA voters are not going to risk what they already know is reliable for someone iffy like Sestak. Sestak voters are hoping for a low turn out with no one but their side coming out enthusiastically, but I sense a new urgency in the Specter camp to really start fighting back and exposing this guy. This thing is by no means over-it isn't Massachusetts, where the party had infighting and no one liked Cloakley. PA has a very, very, strong Democratic machine who is backing Specter more than 90%, he has all the union endorsements, fire fighters,and Teachers Orgainizations backing him and they are just starting to gear up. Specter has the support of our other Senator, VP Biden and our president. I predict Sestak and his gang will not know what hit them.

[Beacool]

149. Good luck to Sestak.

Never trust a backstabbing weasel, they'll eventually turn on you.

:-(

[mucifer]

152. so I compared Sestak and Spector's records Sestak is more pro environment

and more pro GLBT rights they both voted for fisa and for war appropriations. Spectors voting record in the past year is better than some other dems but in my opinion isn't as good as Sestak's .

http://www.votesmart.org/voting_category.php?can_id=53340

http://www.votesmart.org/summary.php?can_id=58333

[jefferson_dem]

167. Today's Result: Sestak pulls ahead - 46/42.

Sestak Edges Further Ahead Over Specter

The latest Muhlenberg/Morning Call tracking poll in Pennsylvania shows Rep. Joe Sestak (D) jumping out to a four point lead over Sen. Arlen Specter (D) in the Democratic U.S. Senate primary, 46% to 42%.

Read more: http://politicalwire.com/archives/2010/05/09/sestak_edges_further_ahead_over_specter.html#ixzz0nQrB6K8W

[wisteria]

178. Again, this is one poll, I will wait for the real results. n/t

[polichick]

181. Arlen, is that you? nt

[wisteria]

198. Oh how clever-not.n/t

[polichick]

207. Mrs. Specter? nt

[polichick]

180. Very interesting - thanks! It's so crazy anyway - you'd think Specter...

... might want to retire and relax a little at his age.

[saltpoint]

175. The National Organization of Women Philadelphia chapter endorsed Sestak.

http://philanow.blogspot.com/


The closing paragraphs of their statement do not name Specter but swipe at him as a self-serving flibbertigibbet.

[IndianaGreen]

176. flibbertigibbet?

That's a new one!

K&R

:kick:

[saltpoint]

177. Hi, IndianaGreen. It seemed like just the term for ol' Arlen.

[wisteria]

185. And, The Teachers Union, PA AFL-CIO, PSEA,Building Trade Unions, SEIU, PA Professional Fire Fighers,

UAW, United Transportation Union, International Longshoremen's Association District Council of Phila.the PA Democratic Party, plus the Allegheny, Westmoreland, Beaver, and Fayette County Democratic parties, Senator Casey, Vice President Biden and President Obama all support Arlen Specter.

I can't wait to see all this support come together in support of Specter-the real Democrat for this office and the Democrat's choice.It will be beautiful and exciting. Sestak will not know what hit him.

[saltpoint]

188. Specter has considerable support, but so does Joe Sestak.

Keystone Dems will decide the outcome on the 18th.

[wisteria]

179. Oh wow, all ten members. n/t

[saltpoint]

182. Ten members? Sounds like an ad on Rentboy.com.

Notify Professor Rekers at once!

- - -

And if you're truly interested in the actual membership number for the Philadelphia chapter of the Naitonal Organization for Women, I suggest you contact their office on Chestnut Street. Their number is:

215 - 496 - 1294.

[wisteria]

183. Scaife endorsed Sestak in his rabid right wing paper-the Tribune Review.

No surprise though, he has given Sestak a lot of money.

Oh, and he never says he is qualified to be a senator-just that he as a great grasp of military matters. LOL

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/opinion/s_680063.html

[saltpoint]

184. Sestak's 2007 ACLU rating was 100%.

Specter's was 57.

[wisteria]

202. So, they are endorsing Specter. Obviously, the Sestak record didn't impress them. n/t

[saltpoint]

205. No, they are NOT endorsing Specter.

The ACLU rating is not related to the Pittsburgh Democrats. The ACLU can zoom-lens into Pennsylvania or go out to the national view.

Specter expected to get the Pittsburgh Democrats' endorsement but support for Sestak blocked it.

Advantage Sestak. He outpolled Arlen with Pittsburgh-area Democrats.

Note again, please, that the Pittsburgh support comes from the western end of Pennsylvania, and in a very populated area at that. Sestak's district is back east.

It would appear that Sestak has considerable support statewide as well as the perfect rating from the ACLU.

[wisteria]

204. I an not a quitter, but I have more important things to do for Specter than to hang around here

and take on Sestak's blind supporters.

I'll see you on election day at the polls- the one that really counts.

[saltpoint]

206. I'm a Sestak supporter, but my vision is pretty good.

I do wear glasses to drive and watch films, but otherwise, I'm fit as a fiddle.