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Sestak’s brother: The Congressman’s ‘political guru’
FOLSOM—It’s no secret that Congressman Joe Sestak (D-7), in electoral politics for just a little over three years, likes to keep tight political counsel. Ever since his first Congressional run in 2006, his brother Richard has been his chief political adviser, the man closest to the candidate’s ear. Other family members, including his sister Meg, have filled key campaign roles.
But Richard has also been Sestak’s campaign manager, and as the the Sestak clan lays the groundwork for a statewide Senate primary, that’s one job Richard will no longer have.
Shortly after announcing his candidacy here Tuesday, Sestak told pa2010.com that Richard would not be campaign manager this time around. The campaign is interviewing potential candidates for that position, but Richard will no doubt continue to hold significant sway over how things shake out. He has always worn multiple hats, from fundraising and strategy to basic organization, and that is expected to continue. People close to Sestak say the search is being done with care, and Richard will remain the acting campaign manager until a permanent one is hired.
As the Delaware County Congressman makes the transition from district politics to a statewide brawl against seasoned fighter Arlen Specter, his decision to look elsewhere for a campaign manager could be greeted by his supporters as a welcome sign that Sestak known a Senate race is no Congressional race.
“I like him more as my political guru,” Sestak said of his brother.
August 6, 2009 at 1:22 pm
Tags: Joe Sestak
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David Diano
Aug 6th, 2009
It looks like Sestak’s taking Tom Ferrick’s advice. Will Tom be interviewing for the position?
The first job for a smart manager would be to invest Joe’s $5 million in a time machine and go back 6 months to tell Joe not to waste everybody’s time and money running against Specter.
Will Richard still be getting his $6,000 per month from the campaign for guru-ing?
In Sept 2007, I asked Richard if Joe would host some fundraisers for local Delco Dem candidates. Richard replied, “Why should he? It’s not his contest. No one here did anything for him.”
That’s some great political guru thinking, though I feel that Joe already agreed with that attitude.
Brian
Aug 6th, 2009
Is that how much a time machine costs? Because if so, that’d be a no-brainer. WHo needs a Senate seat when you’ve got time travel?!
David Diano
Aug 7th, 2009
Brian-
Well, you can’t build a time machine for $5 million, but it’s an equally effective way for Sestak to spend (waste) his money. Flushing it down the toilet would also be as productive.
What Sestak SHOULD do is give back the $3 million he raised under the false pretense of needed it for re-election to Congress.
He likes to talk about how he served with honor for 30 years in the military. I’d hoped to see him serve with that kind of honor as a civilian candidate. I’ve run out of hope on that score.
Samuel Fisher
Aug 8th, 2009
I agree with David. Of course elected officials can roll campaign money over from cycle to cycle, but to stockpile a relatively large war chest from congressional constituents who thought he would hold his seat for more than a few years.
Who can blame Sestak for running? A lot of people got very excited over a possible run for the Senate seat and Sestak just couldn’t stop his own momentum.
I for one am glad he has finally announced. The congressman spent months feeding quotes like “it would take an act of god to keep me out of this race,” and letting reporters ‘overhear’ similar jokes. After the initial field was thinned and Allyson Schwartz pulled out, one or two comments would have let everyone know he was still in as well as making it clear to donors he was serious. But to make a constant show of his potential candidacy was, in this viewers opinion, an amateur mistake.
David Diano
Aug 8th, 2009
Sam-
If you are a fan of amateur mistakes, stay tuned to the campaign. You won’t be disappointed.
The fundamental strategy for Sestak is to raise enough money to get his message (i.e. his bio) out there and assume everyone will be blown away by his story (and ignore the holes and inconsistencies).
All Sestak has is lemons, so he’s trying to make lemonade. His campaign (with 3-counties per day “tour”) certainly has the feel of a kid working a lemonade stand.