Welcome to Arlen Specter’s party. This is exactly what it was like as a Republican in the 2004 senate primary.

Specter was a notorious RINO (Republican in Name Only), so all he did was start telling the truth.

Adam-
“His candidacy raises several questions in my mind—first, can he be trusted?”

Absolutely not.

He voted to give Bush a blank check on Iraq, despite having vigorously campaigned on timetables.
He voted to fund Cheney’s office (one of only 24 turncoat Dems to do so).
He voted for warrantless wiretaps and Telecom immunity.
He’s resisted all suggestions that Congress investigate Bush administration abuses (instead, he prefers abrogating congressional responsibility by having an independent panel of retired judges and professionals).

When his campaign was asked in Sept 2007 to host a fundraiser for local Dems, the response from the campaign manager was: “Why should he? It’s not his contest. No one here did anything for him.” This was less than 5 minutes after a speech where Sestak praised local Dems for their help with the words “It wasn’t my victory. It was your victory.”

When it comes to be a double-dealing, two-faced, self-serving opportunist, Sestak beats Specter by a mile.

Sestak had been leaning more and more to the Right, to appeal to the rest of PA. To fight Specter, he’s temporarily tacked to the Left.

At the Democratic State Committee meeting/convention in Harrisburg last weekend, I heard that depending upon the audience (and county) that Sestak sometimes claims to be a conservative.

If you’re curious about his honesty, just look at his statements and he record about “when” he decided to get into this race. Look at his fundraising in 2008 cycle (where he got an extra $3 million he didn’t need and spent ZERO on TV/radio). Look how the fund raising continued for the January, April and June filings. Look at how Sestak added campaign staff even before Arlen made the switch. The only logical conclusion is that this was Sestak plan to run all along. His remarks about the importance of having a primary challenge are hypocritical since he dodged a primary challenge himself when Rendell cleared the field for him in 2006.

Obama is endorsing Specter (big fundraiser in 2 weeks). Sestak goes around claiming that in his “heart-of-hearts” Obama really prefers him over Specter. That’s some balls to claim the President “really” endorses you, over the guy he’s publicly endorsing.

I think this is the biggest point that hasn’t been made well in my opinion: Sen. Specter switched parties because his BASE in the Republican Party (suburban Philadelphia “Rockefeller Republicans” – moderate to liberal on social issues, fiscally conservative) switched to the Democratic Party. These are the people that Sen. Specter has ALWAYS represented, ever since he was first elected to the Senate in 1980.

The fact that his base was Republican but is now Democrat says something – Sen. Specter was all of a sudden in the wrong party, and basically had to switch in order to continue being the same Arlen Specter he had been before.

This also means that, although the PA Democratic Party is now a BIGGER party, it is now also a more fiscally conservative party, due to the massive party shift. Ironically, Rep. Sestak was right to position himself as a fiscal conservative when he first ran in 2006, but he may ultimately be shooting himself in the foot by moving to the left over the past year.

I met David Diano (while helping one of the judicial candidates whip up support) and everything I thought from his audacity and insecurity on this website was totally affirmed.

He tried to tell me about some voter software he sells. Who knows what that’s about but it can’t compare to VAN and their resources.

He was the only person wearing a Kortz sticker and people seemed totally turned off by how brash he was. I asked some of the Sestak staffers about him and the two of them didn’t even know who he was.

Sestak has just as good a shot of winning as Specter once he gets his name recognition up. He has a future in the Party, and Specter obviously doesn’t. This would be his last term. I think a good Democrat should side with the more liberal choice and also the choice who has some potential for development. Sestak’s military background makes him a credible messenger for Democratic national security positions.

Jack,

Are your brash comments referring to David Diano or Kortz?

Jon-

I totally agree. The Military background will also help him with Conservative Dems and Independents. Look at what it did for Chris Carney in the T.

Ron-

Funny, actually, cause it could be for either, but Kortz seemed like a generally nice guy, just seemed a bit crazy. Maybe a lot crazy…

Jack-
Shows what a bullsh*tter you are. I didn’t have a Kortz sticker, or a even a Specter sticker. I did have one for Saidel.
As for the Sestak people, I only recognized one of them (Joe’s brother). It’s a whole different crowd from 2006. I did run into a buddy of mine, who knew Sestak from the 2006 campaign, and he referred to Sestak as a b*stard without any prompting. A lot of people from 2006 won’t have anything to do with Sestak, so it’s not surprising that they wouldn’t know me nor I them.

BTW, Jack, if you had talked to me and didn’t get one of my business cards, then you weren’t anyone serious or important enough. More likely you were standing nearby and heard part of a conversation you didn’t understand or just made up some stuff after talking to a Sestak staffer.

But, since you lied about the Kortz sticker, you showed your true colors.

Thanks for posting this question.
I think the ‘good’ Dem will certainly want to prevail in November when choosing a primary candidate.
I belive that despite Specter’s current name recognition, Sestak will more likely be the victor in November.
Despite protestations above, lots of 7th District voters and campaign volunteers still support Sestak, and are working to elect him to the Senate. He has a broad appeal to R’s and D’s. He knows how to use free media to garner increased visibility. Specter is well known, but when seen head to head with Sestak, it is easy to see who the stronger, more vibrant Dem is.
I believe he will serve PA well from the Senate.

Anon-
Sestak has plenty of supporters in his district, but he’s also had a lot of turnover from people that worked for him and won’t ever again.
Sestak will win Delco against Specter. That’s a given. Sestak won’t win outside of his district.

Jack-
BTW…
How is someone both audacious and insecure?

Those would seem to be mutually exclusive like “Jack” and “having a clue”.

Jack, it’s time to put your cards and your chips on the table. I’m calling your repeated bluffs. It long past time to identify yourself: full name, county, party affiliation, and if you are working for Sestak’s campaign.

Which mindless Sestak drones were you?
Were you one of the scruffy kids that doesn’t know how to shave and was sporting a mini Abe Lincoln style? Maybe by Halloween it will grow in enough so they can add stove-pipe hats.

David-
If Sestak is so horrible, why would it be ‘a given’ that he will win the 7th?
And, how do you know that he will be trounced elsewhere?
Just askin’…..

I think you are downplaying Sestak’s appeal to conservative Republicans. It’s part of the reason why he won a seat in a district that leans Republican. Sestak’s long career in the military has a certain appeal to the constituency that is going to be needed to help put a Democratic candidate over the top. And he’s very conscientious about courting conservative voters, appearing on Fox news programming regularly. You should consider all aspects of Sestak’s professional career when you do this kind of analysis…

David-

I have a career to protect (not in politics, this is just something I give a damn about). I don’t need to throw my full name around for you to then go and trash with your sensationalism and misinformation.

I’ve debunked your “theories” on Sestak with facts enough times that I don’t think I need to put my reputation (because I have one I feel is worth protecting unlike, obviously yourself).

I just think you’re an unprincipled hack with a grudge to pick with Sestak. You act like you’re God’s gift to the Democratic Party, but you promote Arlen Specter just because you have a bone to pick with Sestak. Get over it and grow up. Any Democrat with a brain (of their own) would look at the FACTS in a broad way and know Sestak is a better choice.

The only reason I go after you is because you’re a hypocrite and like to tell half of the truth to spin it your way, and you’re not even that good at it.

I was thinking about when I first came to pa2010 in April, and remembered you then for trashing Sestak and Specter. So I went back and found out that everything I just said is true.

You’ve said over and over for the last few months that now that Arlen is a Dem, he’s finding his natural home, not just saying what he can to get re-elected. Remember what you were saying on April 27?

“David Diano

Apr 27th, 2009

Specter is famous for shelving any shred of conscience when his political career hits a speed bump and he needs to pander to either side.
It will be a great 2010 Thanksgiving if we can get rid of this turkey.”

I’m sorry you can’t get over the fact that Sestak wasn’t EXACTLY who you wanted him to be, but it’s not about you. He’s done a damn good job in this district and it’s time for you to get over it.

Good luck with Bill and Arlen. You’re gonna need it.

Anon-
He’ll win the 7th because:
1) that’s where his highest concentration of volunteers, organization and donors resides.
2) Dems feel like he saved them from Weldon’s 20-year reign, and have completely ignore all his other faults.
3) They remember how he campaigned as an anti-war candidate (and don’t even realize that he voted to give Bush a blank check).
4) The Dems within the committee system that don’t like or support him (because they know how two-faced he is), cannot oppose him publicly, because the majority don’t know. In June 2010, we elect a new Dem County chairman. Sestak could easily tip the balance of power by an endorsement or a negative whisper campaign.
True or not everyone is convinced that Sestak is a vindictive b*st*rd that would sabotage them if they gave him anything other than public support. (I vote “true”.)
5) Sestak’s been using his stranglehold (with the well understood punitive threats) to keep Specter shut out of Delco. No one wants to invite Specter in, for fear of reprisal.
6) Look at Specter’s statewide list of some 150 “advisers” and supporters. There is NO ONE from Delaware County on that list. To be on that list would be like having a target on their back. Sestak is every inch a Bush/Cheney “if you’re not with us, you’re against us” politician.

Outside of his district, he’s just a guy with a weird name that everyone mispronounces. Just as he’s locked-out Specter from Delco, he’s going to get locked out of events in other counties.
Also, elements on the Left are trying to artificially prop up Sestak to make him think he is viable, in the believe this will push Specter a little farther to the Left on some upcoming votes. However, they know Sestak’s no liberal and they will drop him once he’s outlived his usefulness.

Bob f-
Conservative Republicans recognize Sestak as one of their own. He is so conscientious about courting conservative voters that his campaign has undermined Dem legislative candidates. In Republican areas of his district this encourages split-ticket voting for him at the expense of the other Dems on the ticket.

In the Sestak world, there is no “Dem” ticket. There is just the Sestak ticket, where straight-party voting is not promoted.

JFK backs Sestak.

Jack-
I didn’t realize that being a bullsh*tter was a career that needed that much protection. I’m out there with my name, and you seem all too happy to trash me with your your sensationalism and misinformation.

You haven’t “debunked” anything. Your reputation remains as “Jack doesn’t know jack”. My reputation is well protected and in tact. People know where I stand and my abilities, so that I’m not afraid of repercussions (unlike you who must have so few abilities that you cannot afford the slightest controversy or challenge).

Actually, I’m not so much supporting Specter as revealing and criticizing Sestak. Specter’s come over from the Dark Side (where he didn’t fit in).
I’d much prefer a long-time Democrat with a solid record, who could also beat Toomey. However, someone like Hoeffel is not running for Senate. For all of his many faults, Specter is still hands-down better that Sestak. I’m willing to give Specter a chance to do right. Sestak already blew his chance (repeated).

As for my posting history (how much time did you spend researching?), there are several things you left out:
1) I had indicated around that time Specter’s conscience was mostly that of a moderate Republican and occasional Dem.
2) I had been unaware of some of Arlen’s record where he crossed over and helped Dems. Those votes against the GOP’s pressure showed he was more of a Dem than I realized.
3) In June, I got to actually meet Arlen for the first time, in a back-to-back forum with Sestak. Specter came off as forthright, direct, knowledgeable, humble and sincere. Sestak was even more of a preening jack*ss than usual. The contrast was striking.
4) Back in April, Joe Torsella was still a candidate, and I was backing him as the most liberal and viable candidate against Toomey. However, he pulled out of the race. I also liked Josh Shapiro, but he pulled out too.
And, yes, I believe that Specter is more liberal than Sestak.
5) Specter got rid of his Republican campaign people and went with Dems. I’ve met some of them, and they’ve been extremely professional (in stark contrast to Sestak’s rabble).

Jack, I’ll give you an A for effort, but that’s not enough to give you a passing grade.

All you’ve “discovered” is that
1) I still think that Sestak is no good.
2) My worst criticism of Specter still puts him above my highest praise of Sestak.
3) I’ve learned more about each candidate, and in Specter’s case it’s been more favorable.

Wow. You really “got” me.

Since, you are too chicken to reveal your name, and thus ANY credentials to help your failed credibility, let’s least get a little context about you:
1) What county are you in?
If you are in Delco, you’ve probably already been lobotomized for Sestak. But, whether you are inside or outside his district would give some context as to whether you’ve ever have had any opportunity to know what is going on.
2) Are you working for Sestak’s campaign?
That’s just reasonable disclosure.
3) Have you met Sestak and/or had any substantive time with him?
4) Have you met any of the staffers that he’s mistreated? (there are lots of them) There a plenty of Sestak drones that like him, but I’m not asking you about them.
5) What is your profession/career? Pizza delivery boy? Pirate?
6) Are you a committee person, campaign worker, or just a Sestak fanboy?
7) Are you a military vet, that just likes Sestak because he’s a vet?
Is your real name even Jack?

I was at a health care town hall the other night and it didn’t really seem like the hard core Republicans, who were the majority of the audience, liked Sestak very much. I maybe misused conservative in my original post. I think his career gives him some base appeal to Republicans who are likely to respect him for his military service. I also think he is not a a conservative on many issues. I admittedly am not well versed on his stances on major issues, and know he seems to be more conservative when it comes to exercising America’s military power, however as far as health care reform, he seems to be on the progressive side of the issue, supporting the public option, which is something no Republican wants…

Jack,

Thank you pointing out that April 27, 2009 posting by David Diano:

“David Diano

Apr 27th, 2009

Specter is famous for shelving any shred of conscience when his political career hits a speed bump and he needs to pander to either side.

It will be a great 2010 Thanksgiving if we can get rid of this turkey.”

win the race and be smart. pick someone that wins over moderates and independents. thats obviously arlen specter.

Why is this discussion so personal and mean?

I like Arlen Specter, and I like Joe Sestak.

I mean, I support Arlen because I think that he would be a stronger top-of-the-ticket in November, and could help other Democrats in local races raise money.

But Joe Sestak is a good Congressman, and I have no reason to doubt his motives.

Can we keep this about the issues, please?

You seem to forget that Sestak’s Military experience as vice Admiral will undoubtedly lead to an upturn in his moderate following in a general election. He will destroy Toomey head to head simply based on his pragmatism and military leadership. Spector will draw democrats away from him in the general election because of the animosity he creates among true democrats who do not trust his ulterior motives to switch parties.

Yes KPR, theres one SMALL problem. No name recognition and the fact that alone will hurt all of our candidates on the ticket. Now, thats reality.

aside, KPR… your logic is primary mode… and not general election reality. 2 choices when it comes to moderates and independents in PA 1) smart thinker or 2) general election loser.

Dan-
Compared to long time Dems like Joe Torsella or Josh Shapiro, I’d happily see Specter retired. But, even before he switched, if it was Specter against Sestak in November, I still wouldn’t have voted for Sestak. As the field stands now, Specter’s the best candidate. He’s at least as liberal as Sestak. Specter’s got experience, leadership, depth and gravitas on major issues.

Sestak has experience with “command” by virtue of rank, but not with true leadership. In a Senate of 100 equals, Sestak would not be a leader. He can’t order people about.

Julia-
As for being a good Congressman. Joe was certainly an improvement over Weldon (but so would be a dead cat). Sestak’s interest in being a Congressman has clearly been revealed to be a stepping stone to the Senate position. He deceived his 2008 cycle donors by raising $3 million beyond his needs (spending ZERO on TV/radio) under the guise of re-election, when it’s obvious that the money was really earmarked for his Senate run. A lot of resources were invested to take and hold that seat that Sestak has so callously abandoned.

As a “Dem”, Sestak has repeated demonstrated that he puts himself ahead of other local Dems. He’s shown little interest in promoting anyone, unless he benefited. Though party/committee resources were shared with him when he arrived, his campaign doesn’t reciprocate by sharing volunteer lists or hosting fundraisers to help other candidates. Basically, Sestak’s been interested in Sestak and not the party.

The “good job” he’s doing as a Congressman is a bit of smoke and mirrors as part of his self promotion. He talks about all the requests his office handles. His staff works 8am to 8pm M-F (that’s scheduled, and extra hours beyond that are sometimes expected) and there is some weekend staffing. Working everyone 60+ hours a week is excessive. That means a staffer is working about 3000+ hours per year (instead of a normal 2000 hours per year job). Sestak brags about handling 10,000 requests over 2 years.
That’s 6,000 hours per staffer over that time frame. If there are 5 staffers handling requests, that’s 30,000 person-hours or about 3 hours per request (some of which are simple expediting of passports, writing a letter, making a call). Other requests are certainly more involved.
The point here is that Sestak is promoting quantity as quality. As a boss, Sestak’s the sort of person that unions were formed to protect workers from.

With the most astounding disbelief these post are left wing tripe. Spector, Sestak blah blah blah. We do not want what you misdirected people are pushing it is MY country TOO! You could not share some left some right yes moderate no you had to push so hard left that we have to turn back just to breathe. People this is ONE NATION we all share! With respect lets stop this before we end up in a social revolution or is this what you all want? Vote democrat no matter who no matter what? For liberals you deny liberty for progressives you have not progressed!

Diano, you seem to be out to get Sestak at any cost. Sestak decided to not pay for your data probably because it was not worth paying for. I have had nothing but great experiences when I talk to sestaks brother and staffer, and all I talk to like him a lot. You need to get over your problems with him. Hes a good man!

I hope Specter wins the primary so Toomey can use him as a punching bag. I watched the debate last night with Sestak and Toomey, and while Toomey won, Sestak was incredibily impressive. I cannot imagine Specter coming close to that level of acumen for 90 minutes. Sestak didn’t even use one page of notes. The man is inordinately sharp and arcticulate, drawing several ovations from the overwhelmingly pro-Toomey crowd. Fortunately Arlen will buy the primary win and then be a sitting duck for the fresh young Harvard mind (Toomey).

toomey is a loon, specter will clean his clock, this time worse than before.

Frank-
The Sestak campaign used my system for 6 months, got caught stealing my data, then reneged on an agreed upon compensation. Despite that, I still supported Joe months later in April 2007 when he spoke at the CAIR event.

My break with Sestak occurred when he betrayed the troops and voters by supporting Bush in the Iraq War funding, without timetables and accountability. In 2006, when Sestak was campaigning, he talked about getting out of Iraq in a year. Once he got elected, then he was talking about at least two years to pull out, and not even starting that pullout for a while.
Then Sestak voted to fund Cheney’s office when he was mishandling secret documents and claiming to be his own branch of government. Where was the accountability and leadership that Sestak pretends to have and bring to Congress?

As for Joe’s brother.. back in Sept 2007 I asked him if Joe would be helping the Delco Dems raise any money by hosting a fundraiser, house-party or similar event (like the many events set up for Joe in 2006). The response was: “Why should he? It’s not his contest. No one here did anything for him.”
This shocking (and @sshole-ish) statement was made 5 minutes after Joe finished a speech at a Delco event and thanked everyone for all their hard work which made his victory possible. Joe even said, “It wasn’t MY victory. It was YOUR victory.”

The Sestak’s campaign been the model of selfishness, refusing requests for help, money, volunteer lists, etc. from both candidates and committees. All items that were generously given to the 2006 campaign.

Frank, these guys talk a good game, and have fooled a lot of people into thinking they are honorable. However, that just simply isn’t the case. They absolutely do not care about anything besides advancing Joe, and have no compunctions about “leaving men behind” when it comes to other candidates. I’ve spoken to former staffers and they have a completely different picture of Sestak and his siblings from you.

The data stuff is a smoke screen they use to marginalize me using misinformation. It’s the classic “disgruntled” attack. They try to pretend they didn’t compensate me because the data was worthless, despite it being valuable enough for them to use for six months and then steal it when they switched over to the Rendell/Casey system for the coordinated campaign. (The local Rendell guy complained to me about Sestak’s team being a one-way street when it came to data as well.)

After Sestak made his Iraq vote, the peace-movement that help elect him turned on him as well for his betrayal. They even got signs and protested around his congressional office. I’m far from alone in my opinions (and disgust) with Sestak and his campaign. I just happen to be the most vocal in a online/public forum. Others are more private about it and waiting for their opportunity to oppose Sestak.

Frank, unless you talk to some ex-staffers or become a staffer yourself, or become a candidate and get turned away when you ask for help, etc… you just aren’t going to see the other side of Joe and his campaign. The best I can do here is open your eyes to things and warning signs to watch for.

GOP-
Specter is the last person Toomey wants to fight in November. The Toomey camp is happy to promote Sestak, either to face him, or to use him to drain money from Specter.
Sestak was pretty good with the facts and figures and addressing the reality of what’s in the bill. (I’ll give him that.) However, I watched part of the debate and Sestak failed to actually directly engage and debunk obvious falsehoods by Toomey. Sestak has his own patter down, but can’t think on his feet to analyze and deconstruct his opponents in real-time during a debate. For the most part, Sestak could have pre-taped his part of the debate because (from the part I saw) it was just Joe focused on getting out his own message, not deconstructing Toomey’s falsehoods and fear mongering.

As for Specter, he went to University of Pennsylvania (graduated Phi Beta Kappa) then to Yale for his post-graduate law degree. Toomey when to Harvard for political science degree. No mention of honors or post-graduate education. I think Specter is more than a match in terms of education and experience.

Toomey’s an extreme right-wing religious neo-con. He’s not going to be Specter in a general election.

I am afraid that Rep. Sestak is moving way too far to the left in order to appeal to the liberal wing of the Democratic Party (and don’t give me this Howard Dean business about the “Democratic wing of the Democratic Party” — the Party in PA is still very diverse in ideology). At the same time, former Rep. Toomey, despite having one of the most deeply conservative voting records this side of the deep South, has somewhat successfully been able to move to the center. I’m afraid that Rep. Sestak is in “Hoeffel land” right now, and I’m not sure that he would be able to move back to the center after the primary, if he is able to win over enough Democratic voters.

flynnbw-
The ironic thing is that Sestak isn’t a liberal at all (he just plays one on TV). Joe’s part of the Republican wing of the Democratic party.
He laid all this groundwork by ignoring his district and the people that fought to elect him, in order to appeal to conservatives statewide. Now, he’s got to fake a move to the Left, to outflank Specter.
In the latest poll: Specter 37% Sestak 11%. Ouch!

I agree w flynnbw… moderates are the lions share. Further sestak is “aiding and abetting” Toomey by propping him up to the center. Dangerous selfish move.

Jack….

You are a hardcore Sestak supporter. Are you a vet? you seem to be tough on Diano, why so? Did you see Diano at st. committee?

I think that Sestak will have a harder time beating Toomey than Specter, although I would still expect Sestak to win. But the other part of the equation is the 7th Congressional District. Can another Democrat win that seat? Would another Democrat be able to beat the likely Republican candidate, Patrick Meehan? And if that other Democrat is Greg Vitale or another Democratic member of the Pa House, would the Democrats win that all-important seat? I think that the answer to these questions is, “probably not.” At the very least, Democratic Party prospects in those races would be diminished compared to the chances of winning if all of the Democratic incumbents were to run for re-election. When the president needs help and each vote in Congress and the General Assembly is precious, why gamble on losing simply for the prospect of making a marginal change in one U S Senate seat?

McNally-
Exactly.

1) If Sestak truly was a liberal (rather than pretending to be)
2) If he lived in a strong Dem district where a Dem replacement would be a likely outcome
3) If the St. Leg was securely in Dem hands for the critical redistricting
4) If Sestak had a better chance of beating Toomey than Specter
5) If millions of dollars weren’t going to be wasted fighting Dems instead of Toomey.

Unfortunately, NONE of the “IF”s is true. Considering the stakes, and the money involved, I’d like to have ALL of them lined up true before considering such a risk.

If Sestak really cared about the party (instead of himself) and wanted to be sure to keep Toomey out, then the BEST course of action would be for him to pull out, and give Specter his full support. If Sestak made the case that HE was convinced of Specter being trustworthy, that could solidify Specter’s support and save MILLIONS of dollars that will be needed to stop Toomey (and elect Dems in other states).

Mr. Sestak has a PhD in economics, yet he continues to support President Obama’s policies, including on health care, almost mindlessly. Response?

Ted-
I have NO idea if Sestak actually supports Obama’s or anyone’s policies. Sestak will say whatever he thinks will get him elected.

The only economics he cares about are raising money and providing well-paying campaign jobs to his siblings, while paying most of the rest of the staff as little as possible (and often zero).

He’s also pretty tight with a buck. Ask the Delco candidates and committees that tried getting donations or fundraising help from him.

If Sestak was any tighter with money, he’d be visited by Three Ghosts at Christmas.

SESTAK ISN’T A VERY INTELLIGENT GUY.

SESTAK MAY HAVE A WEDGE ISSUE VERSUS SPECTER AND TOOMEY, ASSUMING ARLEN AND PAT BOTH VOTED TO REPEAL THE GLASS-STEAGALL ACT in 1999, A VOTE THAT LED TO THE COLLAPSE OF THE BANKING INDUSTRY LAST YEAR. SESTAK WAS NOT IN CONGRESS AT THE TIME. MAYBE YOU SHOULD HIRE ME FOR YOUR CAMPAIGN, JOE?

Trent-
I have to disagree with you (a bit) there. He’s pretty smart and can absorb a lot of information in a short time. He’s also quite accomplished at knowing whose rear-end to kiss to advance his career. However, he’s a rather poor strategist when it comes to politics, despite his apparent successes.
His successes are largely due to being in the right place at the right time, screwing over the people that helped him along the way, and taking a brute-force/no-holds-barred approach. Neither of these are good long-term strategies, though his relentless campaign style has managed to compensate for some of the momentum lost from disillusioned former supporters.

Sestak is more “book-smart” than policy-smart. This is likely due to his getting into politics to advance himself, rather than a particular political philosophy he wanted to push. As a result, he doesn’t have the fundamental “gut” reaction (or particularly care) about the key issues. In the Toomey townhall, Sestak kept rattling off his own talking points, but failed several times to challenge and deconstruct Toomey’s philosophical underpinnings.

Since Sestak is more of a conservative anyway, it may be more difficult for him to counter conservative talking points in a debate.

MiltonF-
Aren’t you the same person that posted a HHR on the other thread? Both posts in CAPITAL LETTERS and on the same subject of the Glass-Steagall Act. Joe likes to make claims of how he would have voted on bills prior to getting elected, but there’s a lot of hot air there.
First, Sestak didn’t even voted the way he campaigned, once he got elected (Iraq War blank check, funding Cheney’s office, Telecom immunity, warrantless wiretaps). Second, Sestak tried tagging Specter for voting for the Patriot act. That Act passed the Senate 98-1 (Russ Feingold being the lone dissenter). The suggestion that Sestak would have voted against it is ludicrousm when Sestak has demonstrated no votes of courage and has frequently shown his “Blue Dog” side.

If Sestak were to hire you, would all the press releases be in ALL CAPS?

Huh? Sestak isn’t “far left.” He’s not even a liberal. Sestak and Specter are both moderates. I’m for Specter, but whoever you’re for, it shouldn’t be because you think Sestak’s a liberal.

I’m a liberal…and believe me, I know a liberal when I see one. And, Sestak ain’t one.

I think the bearded staffers are cute.

I am from Delco and must say that any real progressive I know will NOT be voting for Sestak. He only won in his second election as it was a Presidential year. He appears bot to be a real Democrat by any stretch of the imagination. He is just another military midget that will not listen to the people since thinks he knows so much better. I know several State Committee people that carry alot of clout in the party and they will be going with Specter.Who really knows Sestak any way? How dare he try to run for a higher office when he really never has done anything for the 7th CD Hopefully Sesak will wind up unemployed and we will get a real Democrat to replace this unknown person that one would think him to be a republican. Isn’t he really? He must go !

There are other Democrats running, you know. “Good Democrat” Democrats. Blue Dog Democrats.
Quit being led around by the nose.

I’m voting this time on just two issues: pro abortion, and pro NRA.

It utterly galls me that this means pulling the lever for Specter, whom I have always reviled.

But in my view, nobody counts as “progressive” who stands against the Second Amendment. And therefore squarely against the rights of queer, elder, female, disabled, minority, etc., people to defend themselves. It is NOT a progressive view that a person’s highest moral choice is to be a victim.

Specter is old and an opportunist. Sestak is unstable and corrupt. Have fun choosing.

The current federal government sucks. Of the two, Sestak is less responsible for the current state of affairs (terminally broke, terminally corrupt, terminally fascististic) than is Specter. Myself, I’m voting for Kortz, because he’s even less responsible, having been in Harrisburg, not Washington. Incumbents stink up the place. Besides, Specter is a dinosaur. Do we really want a Robert Byrd tottering in to vote once a season in his last two years? He’s a fossil.

Wow this discussion is visious. I know Sestak and some volunteers and staff. They are good people. Many attacks on this site seem like hearsay and innuendo. Here’s what I know: Joe works his ass off and expects same from his staff. I have no problem with working for that kind of boss. I do have a problem with slackers who want to get paid to file their nails. (and I’ve had to deal with that at my own job)

It doesn’t take long to process a routine request in an efficient office, so just stop with that stupidity about him “overworking” people because his constituent service numbers are good.

Anyway as a voter I’ll be looking at voting records on the issues I care about. For me that leaves me voting for Sestak because Specter can’t be trusted not to jump ship back to the gop when the winds change again. Not to mention Specter’s potential need to be replaced by a republican governor when his health fails.

Anyone that trusts Benedict Arlen deserves what they get!