They are like vipers poised to pounce on Sestak’s fundraising operation.

These “Democratic” consultants want into this race in the worst way — not to help Sestak — but to grease their own pockets and make a name off of Sestak.

Consultants have “gamed the system”. Unless you have “them” on your team, you are not viewed as credible” — it’s a “trick of the trade”. We’ve all done it!!!!

The “inflated advice” political consultants falsely claim on their CV’s would be enough to wrap a “fleet of Hindenbergs” around the world. Trust me.

You ask any independent consultant that is not trying to pitch the Sestak campaign, and they will tell you the same — Sestak does it right (and it kills them). You can also ask the unions.

Sestak proved them wrong in 2006, and again in 2008 (He didn’t spend a fregging dime on any radio and TV ads — and it really kills these guys — Sestak won by 20 points — all due to his campaign organization).

Sestak’s run a first class operation in all his elections, the honest consultants will tell you that. It’s one of the best in the country.

1) Be nice to people on your way up (because you will see them on the way down). Stepping over them is not the way to go up.

2) Dance with the ones that brung ya. Don’t dismiss the little people that worked to put you in office, when they come to you for help.

3) Keep your word. Wriggling, hedging, and weaseling out of campaign promises and handshake deals does not breed loyalty.

4) Wait your turn. Sestak just returned to Pennsylvania 3 years ago, and is barely into his second term. If Sestak is really the best Dem in PA, the seat will be there for him in 2016 (or sooner) when he establishes a good/proven track record in Congress.

5) Leave no man behind. During the 2006 campaign, it would have been nice if his staffers didn’t say “Screw the legislative candidates. I’m here for Sestak.” Refusing to help Dem candidates in Republican strongholds where you need GOP votes does not leave you with Dem candidates to support you now.

6) Share the wealth. When you have a large number volunteers with nothing to do in odd-year elections, activate them to help their local candidates, instead of hoarding the lists.

Tom is DEAD-ON about the Sestak siblings running the campaign. There are reasons nepotism is frowned upon. Joe has valued loyalty over competence and shunned dissenting opinions. They seem incapable of understanding that Joe is not so impressive that everyone who hears of him will fall down on their knees in thankful prayer before voting for him. They’ve always failed to grasp how much of their w2006 in was about “Joe” and how much was about getting rid of Weldon and taking back Congress.

In 2006, the Sestak campaign rode roughshod over the local Dems who were not financially strong. In 2008, the GOP could not compete. For 2010, Sestak is on the losing end of this equation and does not have more resources than he needs. The only military strategy Sestak seems to have absorbed after 30 years appears to be “overwhelming force”. Joe just doesn’t think like an insurgent.

BTW, Tom’s point #5 is what happened in 2006. Sestak hoarded his money for the last few months media blitz. He was successful only because Weldon failed to capitalize and define Sestak early. It was a mistake by Sestak in 2006, but that mistake was negated by Weldon’s own mistake.