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Obama praises Specter at Philly fundraiser
PHILADELPHIA—President Obama on Tuesday portrayed Senator Arlen Specter as a constituent-first legislator, integral to the successful passage of comprehensive health care reform.
“He is a man who has always put his state before politics,” Obama told a crowd of Democratic supporters at the Pennsylvania Convention Center here.
Obama was the main act in a speedy one-hour presentation dotted by Keystone State political notables, all backing Specter in his upcoming primary against Congressman Joe Sestak (D-7). Morning radio talk show host and Daily News columnist Michael Smerconish spoke briefly about knowing Specter for 30 years, before a brief welcome from Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter. The father of a young woman whose metabolic disorder requires round-the-clock care lauded Specter’s long-held stance in favor of stem cell research, seen as a possible path for a cure to his daughter’s disabling illness. Jack Panella, who is running for state Supreme Court, also spoke.
It wasn’t until Smerconish introduced Gov. Ed Rendell, though, that the previously chattering crowd drew near. In introducing Specter, Rendell—who worked for Specter in the city District Attorney’s office and later followed him as D.A.—commended the senator on being the city’s “second best” chief prosecutor ever.
On stage, Specter coated himself as a natural Democrat, mentioning left-leaning angles on climate change legislation, immigration reform, economic stimulus and, most prominently, working with Obama on health care reform.
“With my help and the help of others, he will pass comprehensive health care reform,” said Specter, garnering his biggest applause of the night. After calling Obama a “transformational president,” he introduced the president, staying on stage while he spoke.
Obama gave a brief, 15-minute speech, occasionally hitting policy points and toutingthe importance of re-electing Specter. He also buffeted Specter’s Democratic bona-fides, saying the senator voted to increase the minimum wage 20 times and also noted his early support of stem cell research.
“He was a great senator when he was a Republican,” Obama said in the only direct reference to Specter’s GOP past, “and he is going to be an even greater senator now that he is a Democrat.”
In addition to party regulars and Democratic insiders, the crowd, estimated at 1,000 people by the Specter campaign but only about 500 by a pool report, seemed filled by a cache of camera-clutching Obama chasers. Those who didn’t hug the stage area mingled around the ballroom, indulging on snacks and an open bar. Entry to the event cost a cool $2,400 donation, though various Democratic State Committee members were invited to attend for free. The fundraiser netted nearly the campaign’s $2.5 million goal, said Specter spokesman Christopher Nicholas. The haul will be split between the Specter campaign and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.
UPDATE: The Specter campaign says the larger attendance number reflects 200 people who attended a private dinner after the main reception.
September 15, 2009 at 6:53 pm
Tags: Arlen Specter, Joe Sestak
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Michael
Sep 15th, 2009
This stinks! It is high time for publicly financed congressional elections so the average Joe can compete!
David Diano
Sep 15th, 2009
500 sounds closer to what I saw than 1000. Maybe they were counting feet, and forgetting to divide by two.
I did see some Delco Dems around. I also saw a few solid Sestak supporters willing to wh0re themselves out at a Specter event for a chance to see Obama or make political contacts. I guess they realize they’ll never get such an opportunity with Sestak.
When you look at the wide range of people at an event like this, you realize that Sestak’s got no draw/clout by comparison. The Clintons aren’t going to help Sestak. Bill came out for one Joe event in 2006, and Joe got stuck being Hillary’s puppet-on-a-string until she lost the primary. Sestak jumped ship to Obama faster than you can switch wars between Eastasia and Eurasia. (see “1984″). That wiped the slate clean, so don’t hold your breath for either Clinton helping Sestak.
Obama made it abundantly clear today who he supported and why. If Sestak tries to pull his “Obama really prefers me in his heart-of-heart” bu11sh1t after this event, we should start sending Joe Wilson to Sestak’s events to call him out on it.
David Diano
Sep 15th, 2009
Michael-
Below-average-Dem-Joe had above-average-money to run for re-election to his seat. Instead, he decided to p1ss it away in a Senate primary against Specter.
Against any other Dem, Sestak might have been the 500 pound gorilla, but Specter’s King Kong by comparison.
Jan Vones
Sep 16th, 2009
Arlen Specter is a laughing stock. How that man has tarnished his own reputation is one for the record books.
David Diano
Sep 16th, 2009
Arlen has a quick wit and can deliver a punchline. People are laughing with him and at Sestak.
BTW, I got to see the professional staff and operation Specter is running. It’s absolutely first class.
I’ve also seen the operation Sestak ran in 2006, and I’ve talked to people that have see the current operation. The word most frequently used is “chaos”.
Sestak announced he was looking for a new campaign manager, but I don’t think I’ve seen any mention that he found one. His siblings covered the jobs of campaign manager, political director and finance/fundraising, etc. None of them hold a candle to the people I’ve seen running the show for Specter and the level of organization.
Amateurish, disorganized, an unclear message, a fundraising disadvantage, no clout, no party support and inarticulate in a debate setting.
This is shaping up like one of those fights where the fans ask the ref to end out of mercy before the weaker boxer suffers permanent brain damage from the beating.
PA DEM 76
Sep 16th, 2009
What are you talking about? I saw a picture from the event and Arlen looked like he needed an oxygen tank. Regardless of what you think about Arlen’s abilities, isn’t it irresponsible to elect a democrat who may not be able to see out the term, leaving the seat ripe for a potentially republican governor to appoint some right-wing fanatic to the seat?
Based on SOME of the comments here, it appears that people are willing to put personal grudges or political vendettas above the good of the party. Shame on you!
David Diano
Sep 16th, 2009
PA DEM 76-
1) I was at the event. Pictures don’t tell jokes or the story.
2) Don’t be so down on the Governor’s race. Specter will be good running mate for the ticket and a draw.
3) Sestak is the one putting himself over the good of the party. He hasn’t done squat to build up the local Dems in his district.
4) If Sestak wasn’t wasting time and money, he could be helping us hold the Governorship. Instead, once Sestak loses the primary, he’ll be a lame duck with no political clout to help out the other candidates (not that he would help anyway).