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THE PRESS ROOM: Specter and Sestak take their sniping to the Inky

An occasional series of articles exploring how political campaigns are playing out in the media.

Whoever said newspapers have lost their place in contemporary political discourse?

Not Arlen Specter and Joe Sestak. The two Senate opponents have been taking shots at each other on the newspaper’s letters page over whether or not Specter really does like Amtrak.

Specter says he always has, and that Sestak was wrong to say otherwise.

“Sestak is entitled to his own opinions, but not his own facts,” Specter wrote last week. “I have consistently and successfully advocated for increased funding for Amtrak, particularly in my capacity as a senior member of the Senate appropriations subcommittee on transportation, and have been recognized for these efforts by the National Association of Railroad Passengers.”

In a letter today, Sestak says Specter’s a Johnny-come-lately to the issue.

“The point I made was that his letter requesting stimulus funds that he didn’t want to be available in the first place adds to his long history of taking action too late and seemingly for political calculation, rather than preventing matters from developing into a crisis,” Sestak wrote.

Same argument, old medium.

share001btn THE PRESS ROOM: Specter and Sestak take their sniping to the Inky

September 28, 2009 at 7:41 am

--pa2010.com Staff

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  1. WESTPADEM6

    Sep 28th, 2009

    Rep. Sestak doing some monday morning quarterbacking here it seems. Luckily Senator Specter has the clout to bring funding to Pennsylvania as a member of the US Senate for many projects, while have helped the state and local communities.

  2. Stosh

    Sep 28th, 2009

    I’m not a particularly big fan of Specter, but to claim that Specter is not an Amtrak supporter is completely ridiculous.

    He has spent years fighting in the Senate for increased Amtrak funding, often plussing it up over President’s requested budget amount. This is a ridiculous argument by Sestak and shows his lack of knowledge of Specter’s record on the issues.

  3. WESTPADEM6

    Sep 28th, 2009

    Yes, Stosh… it is what it is. Here are some past links indicating Specter’s interest, obvious support, and concern for rail projects…

    http://www.timesherald.com/articles/2009/02/21/news/doc499f98d1a008e292855042.txt

    …..Sen. Arlen Specter were able to secure the government funding set aside over the past decade for the now-defunct Schuylkill Valley Metro plan that was to carry passengers between Philadelphia and Reading.

    http://www.masstransitmag.com/web/online/Top-Transit-News/Transportation-Secretary–Arlen-Specter-Break-Ground-on-Stimulus-Funded-Elizabethtown-Station/3$9423

    http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/allentown/index.ssf/2009/08/arlen_specter_supports_route_2.html

  4. Nick

    Sep 28th, 2009

    Sestak’s been tailoring every policy position according to whatever out-liberals Specter (see: DOMA). I’m sensing some hypocrisy. And while Specter might have changed some of his stances, come on, Amtrak is what Sestak wants to fight him on? Poor campaign strategy…

  5. FDR

    Sep 28th, 2009

    HEY JOE,

    RATHER THAN REVERSING DOMA, WHY DON’T YOU REVERSE THE VOTE BY SPECTER AND TOOMEY IN 1999 THAT VOIDED THE GLASS-STEAGALL ACT THAT I SIGNED INTO LAW DURING THE GREAT DEPRESSION? ITS INTENT WAS TO PREVENT RISKY INVESTMENTS BY BANKS SUCH AS OCCURRED BETWEEN 1999-2008. YOU WERE THE ONLY ONE OF THE THREE WHO DID NOT VOTE FOR THE REVERSAL.

    HUGS,

    FDR

  6. WESTPADEM6

    Sep 28th, 2009

    In re: Gramm Leach Bailey Act:

    On November 4th, the final bill resolving the differences was passed by the Senate 90-8,[12] [13] and by the House 362-57.[14] [15] This legislation (whose voting margins, if repeated, would easily have overcome any Presidential veto) was signed into law by Democratic President Bill Clinton on November 12, 1999.[16]

    Hmmm… John Edwards and John Kerry and practically all of the Democrats Voted for it. FDR: Joe CANNOT REVERSE ANY VOTES… he needs to worry about REVERSING HIS own vote on HR 1664…, where Sestak VOTED AGAINST the Democrats and middle class, and stuck up for his corporate cronies on executive compensation.

    Sounds like more monday morning quarterbacking… implying that he’s different, when if fact as HR 1664 shows he is not as sestak failed to act.

    Second, Joe doesnt have the clout to get the funding as Specter does. Talk about illusory visions…

    Sestak wouldnt have voted against it in 1999, as his vote on HR 1664 Executive Compensation Limits shows. (Again, That is if he would actually have showed up to vote then).

  7. mike mentzer

    Sep 29th, 2009

    http://twitpic.com/j1w9r This pic explains all of the USAs troubles.. like it or not..

  8. WESTPADEM6

    Sep 29th, 2009

    Sep 28th, 2009

    Yes, Stosh… it is what it is. They didn’t post this yesterday. Here a couple past links indicating Specter’s interest, obvious support, and concern for rail projects…

    http://www.timesherald.com/articles/2009/02/21/news/doc499f98d1a008e292855042.txt

    …..Sen. Arlen Specter were able to secure the government funding set aside over the past decade for the now-defunct Schuylkill Valley Metro plan that was to carry passengers between Philadelphia and Reading.

    http://www.masstransitmag.com/web/online/Top-Transit-News/Transportation-Secretary–Arlen-Specter-Break-Ground-on-Stimulus-Funded-Elizabethtown-Station/3$9423

    and this one….

    http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/allentown/index.ssf/2009/08/arlen_specter_supports_route_2.html

  9. Betty Friedan

    Oct 1st, 2009

    Joe:

    Stop trying to oppress me.

    Thanks!

    Betty Friedan

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