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Chris Matthews raises tough questions for Senate candidates

Chris Matthews raised tough questions last night for Senate candidates Pat Toomey, Arlen Specter and Joe Sestak. The candidates answered Matthews but then shied away in favor of mentioning some of their own accomplishments and campaign messages.

Among the questions targeted towards Pat Toomey and Arlen Specter were Matthews’ severe critique and harsh questioning about their past support for the McCain-Palin campaign. Matthews asked both Toomey and Specter how they felt about voting for Palin over Joe Biden, which would make Palin a “heartbeat away from the presidency.”

Toomey faltered momentarily and then answered the question of whether or not he would vote for Palin again with a “yes.”  Matthews seized upon Toomey’s hesitation and accused him of lacking party loyalty. “You’re throwing them at me pretty quick,” Toomey said, and then made it clear that he answered the question with a yes, that he would vote for Palin and McCain over Vice President Biden and President Obama.

Then Specter got the same question. Matthews brought up his campaigning for McCain and Palin, saying that it must be ironic for Specter that he has the endorsement of a president that he didn’t vote for. Specter responded quickly, saying that he believes that Obama’s endorsement stems from the fact that Obama is a pragmatist and that Specter’s vote was a deciding vote in passing the economic stimulus bill.

Specter also had a moment to justify his decision to switch parties, after Pat Toomey stated that he switched because he couldn’t beat Toomey in the primary. Specter argued that he was receiving severe criticism from members of his old Republican Party, that he was encouraged by Democrats to join their party and that his firm track record as a liberal made the transition very comfortable and natural.

Sestak took the screen and immediately was asked if the gas money he is using to travel around the state is paid for with taxpayer money, as the Specter campaign has implied. He gave a very clear no, saying that he did not believe that the Specter campaign was intentionally trying to smear him, but that they were simply misinformed. He also made it clear that the Sestak campaign has plenty of money on hand and that they would not need to use taxpayer money to pay for campaign expenses.

Sestak said that the American people need someone in office who will work hard for them and pass good policy that stems from good ideas. He also answered questions from Matthews about whether or not he would seek an endorsement from the Clintons after working very closely with them in ’90s. Sestak said that he didn’t work for Clinton because he expected an endorsement and that he drew a strict line between the office of the presidency and campaigning. ”I like to run alone,” he said. Sestak’s independence could appeal to some Pennsylvanians who believe that Specter’s endorsements from elite politicians are an attempt to cram Specter down their throats.

The show provided each candidate with an opportunity to present their past accomplishments and current projects. Toomey mentioned his experience working in the private sector and his dedication to job creation and fiscal responsibility, Specter emphasized many projects that he is involved with in Pennsylvania, including his work in building a high speed rail line out of Philadelphia in order to ease traffic on I-76, and Sestak mentioned a bill that he worked on that substantially increases Autism funding.

August 5, 2009 at 1:23 pm

--Kenneth Elder

Tags: Arlen Specter, Chris Matthews, Joe Sestak, Pat Toomey

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